Client at work had massive emtional meldown (need advice)

[JediTerminator]

Never ran across this in all my time working and figured this forum would get some lulz from it with a sprinkle of solid adice thrown in.

I deal with a lot of mentally ill clients (I work in the tax field), and this guy, holy shit, I never seen something like this.

Guy is married, has a 6 year old with his wife (who's super intelligent, all-star athletic caliber at 6, seems good genes), has a step son who is 12 (severe mental ill problems... no genetics of his obv). So he's trying to get me to get money for his family for this step son through tax credit (my job). This guy had massive emotional meltdown in front of me this morning and I was left with absolutely no solid advice for him.

Backstory on this guy.... was an alcoholic all through his 20's. He's in his late 30's now. He has no hs education whatsoever (so he's fucked already), and wants to go back to get his high school diploma then go to community college for a business degree. His wife just found out she has diabetes, she's about 320lbs, one of those stereotypical moms who was good looking as a teen but let herself go and there's no going back. He wants to get money for this kid as a dependant and use it for himself to go to college (wtf?).

Getbiggers prob all have business degrees so.... how in the world is this guy going to be in his 40's and start off a career? Is this even possible in a recession and over population, where another man in his early 20's will have an equal to better education and work history than him. He doesn't seem to handle stress well at all, and the business world is full of cold hearted sharks. Its also full of self medicating drinkers, and I don't know how he's going to refuse a drink or two and not be an outcast.

This guy cried right in front of me, not about the kid, but about how he was stuck in a rut because of him. What the fuck......

I have to go see this guy again later today, any solid advices on this guy's career advice would be helpful. I'm still going to get him the money, as this is how I make a living, but holy shit, in all my time I've never ran across such a confusing person.

[Parker]

First off, why is he trying to get money for his son so that HE can can go to school?
He needs to find a place that does GEDs and see what he can do. If there there are HS drop outs in GED classes with kids he needs to figure out how they are able to go to class.

Also, steer him away from the business classes, try something in the med field, there is tons of support  jobs in that field.

[JediTerminator]

First off, why is he trying to get money for his son so that HE can can go to school?
He needs to find a place that does GEDs and see what he can do. If there there are HS drop outs in GED classes with kids he needs to figure out how they are able to go to class.

Also, steer him away from the business classes, try something in the med field, there is tons of helper type jobs in that field.

He has legally adopted this kid, so he's entitled to claim the money. What he does with the money is of no concern to me. I make 20% off of what I can get him (looks like about $15-20k for him). His wife is dumb as a brick, so she has no clue what's going on and told me to just go through him. He says he wants the money to get a career so they can all live comfortably. Since I have to deal with this guy at least 2 more times, I know he's gonna come at me for advice. Awkward, since I don't really want to help him but won't sour my deal.

What helper jobs are there in the med field? I know nothing of this industry.

[JediTerminator]

To be honest, sounds like the best thing that this loser and his fat wife can do is take out a life insurance policy, leave everything to their kid in a will, then go accidentally drive off a cliff. That would be my genuine advice for him.

To be honest, I actually make more money when I get these clients to store their money into these type of things. Insurance policies, investment plans. Referral fees is a big part of how I earn income. It all adds up in the end.

This guy is hell bent on a career and I look at this kid and I think what the hell is he going be like when he's older. This family unit seems to live on fast food and soda. I shake my head at these people. It takes 45 minutes to bake some chicken breast. Put in the oven, take it out. But instead they just eat junk. Boggles my mind at the laziness.

[The Grim Lifter]

Well at least he wants it. But you can't motivate people. They either have it or they don't. People who had an easy life as kids don't have the drive to do this shit they give up.

[Dave D]

Tell him to go to the community college today and tell them he wants to enroll.  They'll set up placement classes for him, the GED isn't needed for community colleges and if he gets an associate degree he won't need the GED for any bachelor program anyhow.

He's not to old to start a new career path, just remind him it will be difficult because it will be something new and different, he's going to need to focus and be determined because it will be frustrating for him.

Honestly the GED is a waste of time,  just encourage him to go to the community college today so he can take placement classes, which I'm sure will be low, but that's the first step he needs to take to get the wheels in motion.

[Yamcha]

"Refer" his beta ass to a trade school.

[The Grim Lifter]

I'm not in the USA but i had an American guy come into my shop the other day and he said he's not going back to the USA there's no jobs, his friends are more qualified in IT than him and they can't get jobs and he's only just studying now. Plus cops shooting people (he was black).

[Grape Ape]

Tough situation.  Of course the guy is not too old to re-invent himself, people do that all the time.   But procuring money based on his son to start the process is shady.

If you do decide to wipe him out, I'd be far more interested in a discussion around whether is best to use your Jedi or Terminator skills to do so.

[Princess L]

Not all states require a GED, however, no federal $$ subsidized loans without it anymore.  A skilled trade is a decent career path, but good luck getting into a program without at least a GED.

[Dave D]

Not all states require a GED, however, no federal $$ subsidized loans without it anymore.  A skilled trade is a decent career path, but good luck getting into a program without at least a GED.

It maybe true you need the GED to get federal loan money, I honestly have no idea, but I do know you don't need a GED or diploma to attend community college (let's not forget the amount of high school kids that are dually enrolled). Probably for this guy taking out student loans is a bad idea, just creating another debt, he's better off using the money he's getting from the op to pay for this associates.

[Dokey111]

It takes a certain kind of person but if you have any kind of sales skills, you can take a lot of your future into your own hands.

[herefortheglitter]

He has legally adopted this kid, so he's entitled to claim the money. What he does with the money is of no concern to me. I make 20% off of what I can get him (looks like about $15-20k for him). His wife is dumb as a brick, so she has no clue what's going on and told me to just go through him. He says he wants the money to get a career so they can all live comfortably. Since I have to deal with this guy at least 2 more times, I know he's gonna come at me for advice. Awkward, since I don't really want to help him but won't sour my deal.

What helper jobs are there in the med field? I know nothing of this industry.

CNA
Medical Assistant
Pharmacy Tech (lots of math required for this one)

^^ All certificate programs

[SF1900]

I'm not in the USA but i had an American guy come into my shop the other day and he said he's not going back to the USA there's no jobs, his friends are more qualified in IT than him and they can't get jobs and he's only just studying now. Plus cops shooting people (he was black).

Thats becasue every Tom, Dick, and Harry majors in some form of computer science. Market is overflooded.

All of my friends have jobs in the IT or computer related field.

[Princess L]

CNA
Medical Assistant
Pharmacy Tech (lots of math required for this one)

^^ All certificate programs

Phlebotomy

Program Description

This three-course certificate prepares individuals to collect blood specimens via venipuncture and capillary puncture procedures for the purposes of laboratory analysis.

The courses are taken in sequence over two semesters. The first course, Phlebotomy Essentials, provides the student with theory, safety techniques and regulations, infection control, and procedural applications and training. The second course, Basic Lab Skills, is taken concurrently and explores health career options and the fundemental principles and procedures performed in the clinical laboratory. You will utilize medical terminology and basic laboratory equipment. The third course, Phlebotomy Clinical, places students at clinical sites. Travel is required for clinical sites, and clinical times may vary.

Upon completion of the certificate, students may take the national certification examination offered by the Board of Certification.
Approximate Costs
Summer

    $125.85 per credit (resident)
    $188.80 per credit (out-of-state resident)

Fall/Spring Semester

    $128.40 per credit (resident)
    $192.60 per credit (out-of-state resident)

*Online students are not charged out-of-state fees.

Career Opportunities

    Phlebotomist

Admission Process

    Submit the college admission application.   
    Submit the $30 one-time fee.   
    Take the college assessment test (ACCUPLACER, ACT or other).
    Meet with Academic Advisor to discuss order of courses and prerequisites (required for this program).   
    Health Requirements need to be met and a Criminal Background Check is required.   

[herefortheglitter]

Phlebotomy

Program Description

This three-course certificate prepares individuals to collect blood specimens via venipuncture and capillary puncture procedures for the purposes of laboratory analysis.

The courses are taken in sequence over two semesters. The first course, Phlebotomy Essentials, provides the student with theory, safety techniques and regulations, infection control, and procedural applications and training. The second course, Basic Lab Skills, is taken concurrently and explores health career options and the fundemental principles and procedures performed in the clinical laboratory. You will utilize medical terminology and basic laboratory equipment. The third course, Phlebotomy Clinical, places students at clinical sites. Travel is required for clinical sites, and clinical times may vary.

Upon completion of the certificate, students may take the national certification examination offered by the Board of Certification.
Approximate Costs
Summer

    $125.85 per credit (resident)
    $188.80 per credit (out-of-state resident)

Fall/Spring Semester

    $128.40 per credit (resident)
    $192.60 per credit (out-of-state resident)

*Online students are not charged out-of-state fees.

Career Opportunities

    Phlebotomist

Admission Process

    Submit the college admission application.   
    Submit the $30 one-time fee.   
    Take the college assessment test (ACCUPLACER, ACT or other).
    Meet with Academic Advisor to discuss order of courses and prerequisites (required for this program).   
    Health Requirements need to be met and a Criminal Background Check is required.   

I feel like the Criminal Background Check may be an issue here haha. If so, I would steer him away from healthcare.

[JediTerminator]

It takes a certain kind of person but if you have any kind of sales skills, you can take a lot of your future into your own hands.

This is the route I took. Went from shitty kitchen jobs to furniture sales, then went and got my tax job. Learning loopholes is my best advice for anyone. This is where lots of money is hidden.

[che]

Tell him , he can always make some extra cash  ,making videos for Joon's entertainment or  he can PM  strangers  online begging for  money  or he can bet on the next UFC ,Aldo vs McConnor ,if he wins he make some money, if he loses  he doesn't have to pay it , win-win situation

[JediTerminator]

I feel like the Criminal Background Check may be an issue here haha. If so, I would steer him away from healthcare.

I see him to sign papers in half an hour. I'll report back any nonsense he spews. This is the first time with this job that I've felt I don't want to give these people money, but I won't throw away my end. If his wife is there I'll ask her what she plans to spend the money on and watch for his reaction.

[Princess L]

I see him to sign papers in half an hour. I'll report back any nonsense he spews. This is the first time with this job that I've felt I don't want to give these people money, but I won't throw away my end. If his wife is there I'll ask her what she plans to spend the money on and watch for his reaction.

A night out on the town @ Old Country Buffet

[galain]

Jedi

It's your job to try and get him the money. What he decides to do after that, even if he is melting down and crying about his life in front of you, is his business. If you give him any advice that he follows - and then fucks up - (and he sounds like the sort to do that) - it'll be because of your say so.

Chances for him don't sound great. Good that he's trying to improve himself - let's hope he can - but you're not his therapist or career advisor or whatever. He can learn to be responsible for his decisions.

[James28]

To be honest, sounds like the best thing that this loser and his fat wife can do is take out a life insurance policy, leave everything to their kid in a will, then go accidentally drive off a cliff. That would be my genuine advice for him.

This really. Clearly can't handle his wretched fucking life. The most honerable course of action is to kill himself .

[Rambone]

Sadly, I see a triple murder/suicide being the only option left for this poor sap

[HTexan]

You know what is easy to do and pays decent money?
Learn to code webpages. Half of India does it.

[Irongrip400]

For some reason, this story reminded me about the dude in the BBC show "The Fall".  Are you in the UK by chance?