I need some insight, will check back with you in the morning.

[Systematic Chaos]

As some of you may know by now, I am currently employed in the casino industry in Las Vegas. I am a table games dealer, and for a number of reasons I am totally burned out on the profession after spending a total of 9 years in it so far. Suffice it to say that the pay is nowhere NEAR what you might imagine it to be at the house where I work, and I lack the "juice", youth and impeccable credit score to get a job that pays the big $$$$ (like an estimated $80k a year at the Hard Rock; I'm more in the range of one-third of that). Plain and simple, I want OUT!

Now, my wife has a good friend nearby in Phoenix, who works at an insurance company there as an underwriter or some such. He also has a very supportive and well-to-do, if not rich, family to fall back on. He has mentioned to me that his office is in constant need of data entry people. This is something I could do very well, as I type an average of 60 - 70 words per minute. I also would be happy in a smoke-free office environment where I could be off my feet most of the day, as opposed to standing in one spot for 6 hours out of an 8 hour shift, as I do now. I'm a rather large guy and I have recently been coping with gout AND plantar fasciitis and that combination is almost crippling.

I've been thinking of constructing a resume and sending a copy to this gentleman, who would happily pass it on to the people in the clerical department. Now, my dilemma is this: Is it even WORTH looking to give up my present health insurance to give this a go, assuming they would even hire me? I just saw the post a few entries down the list here and that has me thinking that they could easily send work like that to India and pay the people there fifty cents an hour instead of the $10 or so to start plus benefits (including a tuition rebate program that could lead to promotions!). Besides, working at a low-limit house means that even if the economic roof caved in tomorrow there would be a steady stream of desperate people hoping to make good in places like where I work, as it's a nearly recession-proof industry. I'd just have to settle for spending the rest of my life as a professional indoor beggar and parasite who makes absolutely NO positive contribution to society.

So I'm asking you all for your honest opinions on what you would do if you were me. Hopefully your answers will be at least somewhat constructive and not too facetious. But, if you want to have some humor at my expense I suppose I can handle that too. :P

I'll check back in the morning to see what you have to say! Thank you for your time and consideration. :)

[GingerSnaps]

1. The only problems with Data Entry is outsourcing and carpal tunnel

You can always go back to Vegas if things don't work out right?

You can work your way into another dept after you are with the company for a while.

Good Luck!

[SoDesuKa]

2. You'll Be Bored to Death

Data entry jobs are unbelievably boring. You'll go out of your mind. If you have people skills, you should consider sales. Of course, with the PF, you have to stay off your feet.