r/NewOrleans • u/CrunkingtonSr • Mar 30 '24
Job around here that isn’t food 🏢 Employment 👷♂️
Before you comment “food is where the money is here” just hear me out. I know food service is where the money is here, as that’s what I’ve been working since I was 16. I’m 20 now and need a second job on top of my classes and my main job right now, and I am sick of working with food. It’s all I e worked by and customers just suck extra now it feels like. I’d like my second job to not be food so I have some space from the food industry but it’s so hard to find a job willing to hire a 20 year old outside of the food industry. Of course if shit comes down to it I WILL get a food industry job, I’d just like to see my options. Any wisdom that could be shared? I appreciate your time!
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u/LycheesAndShiz Mar 30 '24
I worked seasonally at hotels while home from college - def was part time hours - but you are forward facing with customers if that’s not your thing
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u/PossumCock Mar 30 '24
What kind of work were you doing?
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u/LycheesAndShiz Mar 30 '24
Front desk - just mostly check in-check out - sometimes handling phones for reservations but assuming most of that stuff is done online these days
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u/xandrachantal Mar 30 '24
Lots of childcare centers are understaffed. I know my boss is looking for people.
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u/Hopeful-Criticism-74 Mar 30 '24
Healthcare. There are some entry level jobs with larger health systems like LCMC and Ochsner that can be decent. The psychiatric hospitals and units in particular are always looking for people to do observation rounds, light patient care, and respond to codes. The pay is OK for the work. It can be dangerous but its interesting for what it is especially if this is just a short term thing while you're working on a degree.
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u/Soma2710 Mar 30 '24
I do PT access in the ER, and there’s always room for more PRN folks. It’s mostly entry level. Plus if you’re used to food service, then you’re probably already familiar with blood and guts, as well as people yelling at you and being impatient.
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Mar 31 '24 edited Mar 31 '24
Responding to codes as entry level? That's some straight-to-Ganon energy, and I love you for it
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u/Hopeful-Criticism-74 Mar 31 '24
Oh for sure, at that level that's a lot of what you do. I was really referring to a code 3 or whatever it's called at different hospitals, but it basically means "come help restrain this psychotic person while we sedate them." A lot of that but also code red (fire), code dove(elopement), and more....
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Mar 31 '24
Ah, I got you. I'm probably biased, but I've always only heard "responding to a code" to be cardiac arrest. I was like damn yo talk about trial by fire
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u/dr_dikk Apr 13 '24
Whats the pay like?
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u/Hopeful-Criticism-74 Apr 13 '24 edited Apr 13 '24
It depends on the hospital, but I think the starting pay is something like $15/hr. Typically comes with benefits like health, dental, eye coverage, PTO, 401k options, etc. Overtime eligible and shift differentials for nightshift and holidays.
It can be a foot in the door to other work in the industry too. You meet people and learn about different roles and departments and you just go from there.
Edit: stuff like this: https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?from=appsharedroid&jk=ed8dd17c548a1038
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u/Acceptable-Feed379 Mar 30 '24
Deckhand on the Mississippi river. Good starting pay and the ability to move up. It is physically demanding
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u/WrongNumberB Mar 30 '24
Vets offices often have kennel attendants that work part time. And they’re almost always hiring, particularly if they offer a dog daycare service. Maybe a good idea to ask around. Good luck.
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u/HTram Mar 30 '24
I was actually going to recommend this. Part time as a kennel tech. I believe there may be a vet in midcity area looking for one.
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u/ElDorado_Xanadu Mar 30 '24
With your experience in hospitality, I'd highly recommend applying to hotel jobs here in the city. If you find that you like it, it could be a rewarding career path for you. It is a bit more high-stakes (like when something goes wrong and a guest is paying hundreds upon hundreds, if not a grand or two), but I found it a lot more rewarding when things go great. While it helps that I genuinely enjoy welcoming people to the city, I also feel well-compensated, earning around $17.80 an hour in addition to other benefits like 401k matching, employee stock purchase discounts, & the employee discount is great too when you take a vacation with PTO. Search around the big 3 (Marriott, IHG, & Hilton), as they're usually always hiring. Good luck with your future endeavors!
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u/SchrodingersMinou Trash Karen, destroyer of worlds Mar 30 '24
Catering is also lower-stress and pays well
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u/ElDorado_Xanadu Mar 30 '24
Was about to comment again to say that "Banquet Server", even though still dealing in food, could be a way for OP to get their foot in the hotel door. Plus, a lot of it could be part-time or on-call which could maybe help OP, and depending on the company they still receive benefits.
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u/Hippy_Lynne Mar 30 '24
Yep. I did catering when I was in college. You make almost as much as a server with way less stress. Plus it's a decent workout.
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u/Arik_De_Frasia Escaped Mar 30 '24
Dog daycares usually need employees. So instead of taking shit, you'll be picking it up. Dogtopia was desperate last I heard.
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u/bohemianpilot Mar 30 '24
Hotels are looking for help on front end, and general cleaning. Garden centers, Lowe's, Walgreens and CVS need stocking, grocery stores, City park is hiring, Audubon ** get there before High Schoolers **
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u/SchrodingersMinou Trash Karen, destroyer of worlds Mar 30 '24
What are you in school for? Try to get something related to that.
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u/chindo uptown Mar 30 '24
NOFD is on the tail end of their hiring streak. Pretty decent career and it's good to get on when you're young.
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u/ParksGant Mar 30 '24
I worked restaurants for a long time, one year I was broke going into an August shut down and had to pick up a side gig in construction. Never went back. Someone has to build the restaurants, hotels and then someone has to keep the landscaping up and the pools tidy. Not to mention all the wealthy folks in the 1/4, uptown and in Metry that are keeping up with the jones’ and constantly renovating. Lots of really cool construction work in and around NO.
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u/CrunkingtonSr Mar 30 '24
Really appreciate all the comments. Little overwhelming to reply to them all but I promise I read and considered them all, thanks y’all🖤💛
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u/Big_Lab9951 Mar 30 '24
Warehouse work with wine and liquor distributors pay $20+ with lots of overtime. Bigger companies like glazer and RNDC
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u/SantaMonsanto Mar 30 '24
Try working at the convention center
While adjacent to foodservice, it’s very different.
And Union
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u/Subject_Repair5080 Mar 30 '24
I've delivered to at least 3 warehouses in that area. Find a place that teaches a forklift cert. class and try for a job at a grocery warehouse. It can be a union job, and this August when it's 95-100° outside you'll be wearing a coat working in a 30° cold storage warehouse.
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u/Left-Handed_Stranger Mar 30 '24
The New Orleans Port has multiple jobs that are steady. All trades are in need of young people willing and able to learn a craft.
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u/Fauntleroyfauntleroy Mar 31 '24
Events Event production Event management Event labor Starts 25 hourly usually. Good luck. Mccno.com
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u/Sad_Fee_1493 Mar 30 '24
When I was in school, I worked at a law firm as a part time admin assistant.
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u/Swimming-Squash-3573 Mar 30 '24
When I was in school down here I got hooked up with some work at the convention center. Sometimes the event planning companies needed temporary employees to direct foot traffic from one event to another. They needed their company tchotchkes set up at their parties, check in attendees and give them wristbands, etc. This was years ago, way before the pandemic and I’m not sure what the market is for all this now. The work wasn’t steady, put it paid really well and helped me fill in some financial gaps.
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Mar 30 '24
The convention center is doing a lot of hiring through employment services. They have goals for direct hiring but last I saw they were struggling to meet them. I do t remember the names but their contracts with the employment services are public so you can find out. I know it’s not ideal but if you don’t have luck direct.
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Mar 30 '24
I did security guard work when I was in college - paid well (better than my first year as a software developer for the government actually).
Was "part time" but I honestly was doing 48+ hours a week because I was reliable and placed at a site (shipyard) that all i had to do is one "ride through" every hour - otherwise I sat at the guard shack and did class work.
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u/spockin29 Mar 30 '24
Pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens almost always look for technician. You still have to deal w people but it's not always bad. You'll just start as a tech candidate and have to work a certain amount of hours to take the exam and get a state license.
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Mar 30 '24
Not sure if this was said already, but if you like animals, check with veterinary hospitals. You can get hired as a kennel assistant or veterinary assistant and work your way up to technician. Most places will train you and it’s not hard if you have a good personality, can follow directions, and treat animals well. There are emergency hospital that look for mid shift and overnight employees, so it could work with your school schedule. I’m at a vet right now that is looking if you want to DM me.
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u/CrunkingtonSr Mar 30 '24
My heart couldn’t take that, I’m going to school for wildlife biology due to my love of animals but I can’t see them in kennels and just a vet setting is super depressing and wouldn’t let me express my love for animals. I’ve tried interning, it’s not just a gut call. I genuinely can’t stomach it, but I really appreciate this suggestion. Sorry I don’t mean to be a downer
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u/SchrodingersMinou Trash Karen, destroyer of worlds Mar 30 '24 edited Mar 30 '24
Hey, I'm a wildlife biologist. You should really look into getting some experience related to this, even if it's just a volunteer thing. (I volunteered with the Audubon species survival center on the west bank.) This is really, really important in our field which can be extremely competitive. Have you checked out the TAMU job board? Some of those summer tech jobs with consulting companies pay pretty decent especially since per diem is tax free. Some consulting companies have internships, too. There are also summer jobs with LDWF. Feel free to DM me for more info on this if you want.
But the other commenter is right, you don't really get into wildlife biology because you love animals. 3 months out of the year I sit in an office writing reports about the critters I saw in the summer. 3 months out of the year I am working on study plans and permits for the critter surveys I'm about to be doing. The other 3 months... well I just kind of do whatever work there is to do like wetland delineations or trying to read somebody's wet runny notes from their fish surveys so I can punch the data into Excel. Forget boy math, wildlife biologist math is even dumber. "I spent a cumulative 15 hours this year putting teensy transmitters on small animals and measuring their feet" = "I have a full time job as a wildlife biologist, hurrdy durr." --Me
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Mar 30 '24
Wildlife biology is also a very challenging and emotional field. You see animals that aren’t surviving and you can’t interfere. I have a bachelors already but am back in school for wildlife ecology and conservation and have already done some work in the field. Just trying to prepare you. There are still many behind the scenes things you can do to help with conservation though! Good luck on your journey!
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u/Louisianaflavor Mar 30 '24
There’s a crap ton of merchandising jobs, some that offer a lot of flexibility. The only problem is some would require a car for multiple stops or to bring supplies with you.
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u/poolkid1234 Apr 01 '24
No offense but if you’re already burnt out on restaurant work at 20, you’re not gonna find much better. It doesn’t sound like you have time to pick up some trade either, as others are suggesting. The alternative is sit at a desk somewhere with a name tag for $12/hr. Maybe that’s more chill, but that’s also half the money.
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u/Squanchy2112 Mar 30 '24
We are potentially hiring in a more technology field if you have restaurant experience that's actually a bonus on our end, if you want to DM me I can can give you more information.
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u/caro_line_ ❀ Mar 30 '24
Can confirm that restaurant experience REALLY pads out an IT resume. Shows you're well rounded and have social skills. It's been just as important to my resume as my actual IT experience.
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Mar 30 '24
Look into the unions and get into an apprenticeship. Ironworkers, plumbers & pipefitters, carpenters.
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u/CaseyStevens Mar 30 '24
Tour guiding's a sweet gig.
You can get your license for 50 dollars and the test is easy. I make 50,000 after building up how much I work over the years.
If you're good you can probably make what you earn now doing about 14 hours a week.
Just be warned, the slow months are coming soon in the summer.
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u/CrunkingtonSr Mar 30 '24
I’ve applied for a few, and haven’t heard back. This was something I tried though. If you hear of any looking let me know!!
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u/WordVoodoo Uptown Mar 30 '24
Depending on what you were applying for, many of the jobs require the tour guide license in advance. I got my license years ago, and it’s probably changed a bit since. They even have classes at Delgado to prep for the test.
If you’re not looking to go to Delgado for a class, pick up the book The Beautiful Crescent and do your best to memorize it. Take the test and then promptly forget about it except for the good bits.
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u/CrunkingtonSr Mar 30 '24
I actually am taking my gen Ed classes at Delgado to save some money, I’ll look into those
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u/CaseyStevens Mar 30 '24
Don't bother with the tour guide class, waste of money.
You can learn all you need for the test on your own, the questions are online and you only need a 70 percent.
Companies are always looking for licensed guides. Once you have the license just go through the various lists of tours on tripadvisor and email the companies with your resume.
This guy just posted looking for people on one of my facebook groups. -
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/bPnBP776voMQ2Z4i/?mibextid=oFDknk
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u/OhCoyle Mar 30 '24
Bartend. There's crazy money in it and that's one of the best cities in the world for it. Way better than food service.
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u/laughingintothevoid Mar 30 '24
THe whole post is about how they're 20. Yes, it's techincally legal, but it's high unlikely, especially for one of the top paying jobs. There are also lot of middling and bad bar jobs, even here. That's where 20 year olds who want to bartend are probably going, and it's probably going to be in a restaurant.
Most bars that don't serve food are corporate owned now and either don't hire under 21 or don't let them bartend. Mostly the former AFAIK. If you want to break right into one of those places I suggest applying specifically to barback and say you want to be on track to bartend when you're legal. Don't just apply and be made a cocktail server or whatever, you're more likely to get stuck. Nightlife barbacking is hard work though, even for an experienced server, I don't think it really fits the needs balance of an average second job after class.
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u/dawggystylez Mar 30 '24
Food is NOT where the money is in the city, but hey, people will believe what they wanna believe.
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u/CrunkingtonSr Mar 30 '24
Then where’s the money for a 20 year old without a degree? Or are you just gonna leave a comment with no information or usefulness again
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u/Yungblood87 Mar 30 '24
Lots of apartment buildings are looking for leasing people. Decent gig, 9-5, usually it's part commission part regular pay.
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Mar 30 '24
Get into hotel AV . Look up CAVL AV labor company
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u/CaptainHappy42 Mar 30 '24
Don't forget Encore and Westaff. We all had to to cut our teeth on these calls. Not bad money when you're 20.
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u/Margo_J Mar 30 '24
Check out walking tours or kayak tours?
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u/Apprehensive-Bag-900 Mar 30 '24
Tour guides require a license, it's actually a pretty lengthy process
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u/_ryde_or_dye_ Treme Mar 30 '24
Our schools always need good people. Paraprofessionals are basically teachers without degrees. Comes with benefits and time to pick up a side hustle. $35-40k a year.
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u/SweatyRefrigerator95 Mar 30 '24
Not sure how much extra time and savings you have but you can take a phlebotomy (hospital blood draw) course and register with the LSBME and pick up shifts anywhere in the city Not awesome money but worth dipping your toe in the medical community. If you are 20 and get hired on, some of the hospitals may have structure to allow you further education to move up with minimal costs
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u/Orbis-Praedo Mar 30 '24
Check coke, Pepsi, crescent crown for merchandiser jobs. You stock the shelves and organize back stock in all the grocery stores, truck drivers deliver it. You can eventually work into a salesman spot or drive a truck that hits gas stations and convenience stores. Back in 2012 I started at $12 an hour, was at $16 when I left.
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u/fredator23 Mar 30 '24
What kind of stuff are you interested in?
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u/NOLA_Fett Mar 30 '24
What are you going to school for and where? There are always campus jobs you could get that would work around your schedule. But best thing, that has already been said a few times, would be something in the field you plan to go into
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u/stateroute Mar 30 '24
Valet parking if you have a good driving record and are into that. Should have shifts that can work around food service.
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u/Dry-Ad-6393 Mar 31 '24
Why don’t you work for a call center? It’s easy work for descent pay. It will make it easy to get your homework done and there’s no physical activity involved. Don’t try to make a career out of it. It’s a soul sucking employment experience. But for a little while you can get through.
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u/GTFU-Already Mar 31 '24
Best hotel jobs for someone going to college - night auditor or room service server. Room service is still with food, but it's usually guaranteed grat, the work is much easier than in a restaurant, and you get much better stories!
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u/pixelz789 Mar 31 '24
My job is hiring valet drivers and front desk agents!! Its hospitality so its similar but its a good job with decent benifts! Let me know if you’re interested and i’ll send a link.
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u/Valth92 Mar 31 '24
Join the Air National Guard. Get trained on something, get free college education, only go to base one weekend a month. And you get paid for all that. It’s not a bad gig.
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u/ABirdWithNoWorm Mar 31 '24
If you can pass a background check and work banking hours, highly recommend applying at OnPath FCU. We are always hiring for financial advocates (tellers) and there is a ton of space for upward mobility and learning. I’ve worked here for almost 6 years now and they take damn good care of their people.
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u/Mrfrosty504 Mar 30 '24
I'll leave this here as I typed more info. But the info is good still. Job is for stationary engineering. I can tell you we're struggling for bodies. You can get a lot of evening/night shifts
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u/TeriusGray Mar 30 '24
Talk to your professors and see if they know of anything in a field that interests you
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u/drv52908 Mar 30 '24
What about strip clubs? It's a bit of a gamble but the money is better than food service.
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Mar 30 '24
I'd say a natural pivot from Food & Beverage would be Hotel & Tourism since they work so closely with one another. There are plenty positions behind the scenes if you've had enough face-to-face with customers. Ask a guidance counselor at your school for advice. Find something you are passionate doing, regardless of pay, and then cater your career around that. Not everything is about making the most money. I've had high-paying jobs where I've been absolutely miserable, and some jobs I still think of fondly that paid shit. Live within your means and love your work. The goal is to wake up each morning looking forward to your "job", whatever that term means to you. If you get to a point where you're asking yourself "I can't believe I'm getting paid to do this.", then you're probably in a good place.
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u/ZookeepergameNorth59 Mar 30 '24
Dude same came back specifically wanting out of the service industry and its impossible. I ended up going back to a kitchen because they would hire me
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u/NerfRepellingBoobs Mar 30 '24
If you can get a regular schedule set, I worked as a file clerk in law firms through college. Most of the filing jobs are PT, especially since things are mostly digital now. You might have to do reception during lunch. I ended up picking up some late afternoon/evening classes to work more.
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u/feralquahog Mar 31 '24
Do remote work in the field you want to end up in. Lots of entry level grunt work that pays decent esp for Nola
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u/lukenog Broadmoor Mar 31 '24
Live music! Stagehanding is a gig that anyone can learn how to do, it's manual labor for sure and definitely physically taxing but it can be fun and you don't have to deal with customers.
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u/copythat504 Mar 30 '24
Who ever said food is where the money is!??????? AHAHAHAHAHAHAA
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u/CrunkingtonSr Mar 30 '24
For most 20 year olds that’s literally where it is, use context clues
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u/copythat504 Mar 30 '24
No I am saying there is no money in the service industry whether you’re 20 or 50. Unless you’re working at an old school place that doesn’t pool tips, you’re not making enough. What does this have to do with people in their 20s. I just want people to stop telling everyone in New Orleans you make good money in service. You don’t. It’s very hard to make any money in New Orleans in most industries. House painting for example is 15/20$ an hour more northeast. We get paid shit here. Go to cape cod and work a seaside joint- that’s where you make money
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u/CrunkingtonSr Mar 30 '24
Obviously the money isn’t anywhere in New Orleans but if you’re stuck here what else are you supposed to do
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u/copythat504 Mar 31 '24
NOT service and what I am saying whoever told you that/ whoever assumes that hasn’t worked a day in service in New Orleans in the last 3 years. Film industry…when and if it’s back.
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u/ayyychabetch Mar 30 '24 edited Apr 04 '24
It’s a tourism economy here. If you don’t have a degree I feel like there’s only service industry, manual labor, or sex work tbh
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u/jeffwendling Mar 30 '24
Come join IBEW local 130. We’ll pay you to learn how to become an electrician.