Getting experience

[weedpatch]

We are planning on going full time, but not for about 4 years yet. Since I am unemployed and probably due to my age, the economy and amount of unemployed folks, the prospects aren't looking good for being employed. So, would it benefit us by my doing some type of volunteer work now or in the future. I noticed as well one job posting wanted experience with Campground Master Reservation software. Now is there some type of training one can do via internet or does one get the experience simply by getting a camp host position and it is on the job training? My work experience is vast ranging from an Office Manager to a Customer Service associate and nursery specialist at a big box store. I am just wondering if any of that will benefit me in our workkamping experience. If someone could bestow their knowledge I would greatly appreciate it. Obiviously I have too much time on my hands.

[450Donn]

Most work camp jobs I have seen posted want people with a wide range of experiences. be friendly and outgoing and maybe have some customer service experience. there are some that will require special training or experience, but you never know until you apply. I signed up as a volunteer for the first time last winter. Made one call and had a month long job. Two days later got a call from another park wanting to know if I was interested in a two month gig. DW was and still is scared, so I passed on the two months. But if all goes well, I will sign up for the coast in September if I can fond a spot.
BTW BTDT, Lost my job Jan2009, DW lost hers Good Friday 2009.

[LonBoy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by weedpatch We are planning on going full time, but not for about 4 years yet. Since I am unemployed and probably due to my age, the economy and amount of unemployed folks, the prospects aren't looking good for being employed. So, would it benefit us by my doing some type of volunteer work now or in the future. I noticed as well one job posting wanted experience with Campground Master Reservation software. Now is there some type of training one can do via internet or does one get the experience simply by getting a camp host position and it is on the job training? My work experience is vast ranging from an Office Manager to a Customer Service associate and nursery specialist at a big box store. I am just wondering if any of that will benefit me in our workkamping experience. If someone could bestow their knowledge I would greatly appreciate it. Obiviously I have too much time on my hands.

Ive been in retail sales my whole life you sound like you can do the job I personnally would not sell my self short as you seem to think. I have a retired postoffice worker hes my main buyer (13 retail stores)and I have a retired regester man who does most of my furniture repair .I say find something you like and try to get a job in that area your work skills would be great.

[phishboy]

Do you currently have an RV? How much camping have you done? A lot of your real world business experience probably translates to how RV parks and resorts operate. As for reservations software, yeah having real life experience with one brand will give one applicant a leg up, but as a newbee its probably more important to stress your comfort with computers. Are there any local campgrounds in your area that you frequently use, maybe chat up the owner/manager. When we stop at campgrounds, public and private. we always ask "how did you get your job". Most people especially volunteers are more than happy to chat if they aren't busy with customers.

[LonBoy]

Yes just sold my type c coachman 22 ft to buy a 36 foot Coachman354BS DP 300 cummings with the MH3000 six speed allison drove it home then drove right to the pole barn and its in so tight no way to work on it till spring.
I started camping when i was 17 ,I now 57 and still love it.
My wife makes Jewelry so i had a dream of going around camp ground to CG and sell some but she says I dont want to work that hard. the soft ware on most POS systems is so easy you can at least use it the first day.keep thinking. and good attitude will get you along way and you seem to have a good one.

[Arch Hoagland]

Going around from campground to campground selling jewelry, or any other product, won't happen. Not allowed in any campground/RV park I was ever in, and I've hit all 48 states.
If it was allowed the places would be crawling with sellers.
I think going for the small jobs first, volunteering if need be, to get the experience is a good idea.

[Mr_D]

We were going to retire and sell stuff at cat and dog shows. My wife also did jewelry. Did it for about 7 years while both of us were still working. Didn't make enough to pay the bills. My parents both got sick and then died so we ended up with a little stuff from them. Then my stepdaughter died and we ended up with two grandkids to raise and hers and their stuff. Wife is still working till at least 65, I'm 65 now. Ended up closing the business although there's probably $10,000 in inventory in the stick house living room, plus the other furniture and left overs. Older boy moved out a couple months ago but the youngest is only 12 so another 6 years at least before we con go full time! Now the wife may or may not have cancer, still not sure. Get out and do it now, you never know what the future will hold

[weedpatch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by phishboy Do you currently have an RV? How much camping have you done? A lot of your real world business experience probably translates to how RV parks and resorts operate. As for reservations software, yeah having real life experience with one brand will give one applicant a leg up, but as a newbee its probably more important to stress your comfort with computers. Are there any local campgrounds in your area that you frequently use, maybe chat up the owner/manager. When we stop at campgrounds, public and private. we always ask "how did you get your job". Most people especially volunteers are more than happy to chat if they aren't busy with customers.

We got our RV last May. We are new to RV camping although we did tent camping alot when the kids were growing up. Now they are gone and with families of their own and we want to retire, travel and get out of cold and snow(especially today - we are in a blizzard). Right now we have to wait due to health insurance issues. But we are getting ready, working on the house so we can sell it or give it to our daughter. We have a hard time waiting to start our new adventure, I just thought if I could get some volunteer experience or classes under my belt perhaps it would help. Job prospects are not coming through and we just need to hang on for another 11 months until I can take SS early. DH plans on working for another 4 years until I can go on Medicare and that puts him at 66 and able to retire.

[LonBoy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland Going around from campground to campground selling jewelry, or any other product, won't happen. Not allowed in any campground/RV park I was ever in, and I've hit all 48 states. If it was allowed the places would be crawling with sellers. I think going for the small jobs first, volunteering if need be, to get the experience is a good idea.

We camp at a spot over by Indiana where they have little swap meet right at the edge of your park area its great I take stuff i dont want ,and if someone needs it but cant afford it I give it to them its fun. so there are camp grounds around where sellin is possible but as always tooooooo much work for very little.

[Wanabee FTer]

DW and I have been retired and traveling for over a year now. We found a small CG in Northern Ca that we loved. Decided this year we want to spend more time in this spot. I called the CG to see if they ever need help in the summer (their peak time) The host was very interested in having us be work campers. The owner called us back and asked us what type of work we would like to do and told us we as a couple would need to work for 20 hours a week.

Ultimately we decided it is too soon for us to start work camping. I suppose we are a little afraid of committing ourselves this soon in our travels. But it was a great confidence booster to have someone so interested in us being work campers in a park that we love so much.

I think you will find while you are staying at places you like, if you put out feelers you will get some offers for work camping.

[weedpatch]

Thanks to everyone for their input. I may just do some volunteering to keep me busy and make the time go by faster until we can get on the road. A big case of cabin fever isn't helping either. Soon we will be able to take some trips and satisfy that urge.

[Superslif]

Quote:

Going around from campground to campground selling jewelry, or any other product, won't happen. Not allowed in any campground/RV park I was ever in, and I've hit all 48 states. If it was allowed the places would be crawling with sellers. I think going for the small jobs first, volunteering if need be, to get the experience is a good idea.

I have seen people at parks go to nearby flea markets to sell their wears....Specially if its small items like jewelry or widgets.

Personnel I have been doing EBay for the last 12 years. Got my first smart phone last fall and posted and sold a few items right from the campfire.