Not sure how to title this

[Ray Miller]

A friend of mine has a grandson and he shows talents in the design field both on the computer and by hand I know he doesn't want to come in to dig holes and put up signs. I don't want to hire him to play at a computer, nor do I want to pay him for that. I'm trying to let him down easy, but I'd like to keep the door open just in case.

Any ideas?

 

[Texas_Signmaker]

Digging holes and doing basic work is what kids start out with. In his shop downtime he can play around with designs and learn. Unless you just don't need him, tell him you don't have the need now but later.

 

[Johnny Best]

He will be getting a PHD (pot hole digger). You have to start somewhere, sweep the floor, etc.

 

[pro-UP]

If you don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, offer him the job you would prefer to see him work. If he doesn't take the offer, then the decision was not yours and you did your part. Then, if you are impressed with his work ethic, allow some office / computer time for cross-training and machine operating (and make that clear to your friend). It's a matter of economics. He has to pay for himself before you go broke making (keeping) friends. Good luck!

 

[thesignpost]

He needs to learn to crawl before he can fly. Needs to learn how things are made so he can be a more effective designer.

 

[pro-UP]

He needs to learn to crawl before he can fly. Needs to learn how things are made so he can be a more effective designer.

That is such a true statement. Our Operation Director is the perfect example of learning the entire process from start to finish. That deep knowledge has protected us and our clients more times then I can count. We catch so many design mistakes and installation issues before they even get out of design and that is because of hands on experience.

 

[ddarlak]

Feelings?

 

[AndersHerp]

I'm was brought on strictly as a designer, but since then I have learned how to pull permits, and deal with all the nightmares that come with that department. I've never dug a hole or put up a sign, that doesn't mean I didn't learn what all it takes to do said things. It just took some time and learning, also me asking a ton of questions, which I still do. I'd say if he has potential there is plenty of things on the administrative side of sign installation that can be learned.

 

[pro-UP]

I'm was brought on strictly as a designer, but since then I have learned how to pull permits, and deal with all the nightmares that come with that department. I've never dug a hole or put up a sign, that doesn't mean I didn't learn what all it takes to do said things. It just took some time and learning, also me asking a ton of questions, which I still do. I'd say if he has potential there is plenty of things on the administrative side of sign installation that can be learned.

The willingness to ask questions and be proactive is a huge thing. This is how things really get done. Being able to work autonomously is a valuable trait.

 

[Stacey K]

My dad pulled some strings to get my son hired for summer help with an electrician a few years ago. He hated it and he wasn't good at it so he was not asked to return for following summer. It put the elecrician in a bad spot and my son wanted to quit and my dad told him he couldn't. Terrible all the way around.

I have had a few ladies/teens here and there help with one larger project and if they do good then I ask them for more help. You could approach it that way. Good luck

 

[netsol]

i can't tell you how many times i "pulled a few strings" to get someone hired.

it RARELY works out to your advantage. in highschool (i graduated in 1971) i recommended someone, a good friend, and he worked 2 days then had HIS MOTHER call up and say the job was too much for him...

20 years ago, i recommended a friend of a good friend, a tv news personality (both of them) for a very good job with a good client of mine

when things did not work out, she sued the employer & luckily i was not blamed for how it ended

examples of what they mean when they say "no good deed goes unpunished"

 

[RachelKelly]

Honestly I started freelance designing in my teens. I learned how to track my hours, invoice for my time, and collect payments. Start him there? I did work for my local YMCA laying out their marketing materials and big fall catalog of classes and services. Then bounced to a few small boutiques that needed logos and such. Hell local bands love freelance creative kids for their odd ball wacky designs. If they are serious about creating and being a designer, this is probably the best start, gives them freedom to succeed or mess up on their own and handle the consequences on their own.

Give them feedback as they ask for it. Then when they are naturally curious about how something is produced, and why a specific design is worse to produce than another, show them the way it's built, have them weed the vinyl for it, have them paint it, assemble it.