Before we begin, I want to point something out: I know I will likely not have everything I'm asking for in a single mod. Heck, there probably isn't even a collection of mods out there right now that can provide me everything. But if there are mods out there that provide any of this, I'd be interested.
in vanilla Sims 3, getting a job is no effort whatsoever. You just log onto the computer, choose a job, and BOOM, you are now employed! No job interview; no boss checking your criminal record, no nothing.
With University Life, you can go to college and get a degree. The only benefits to getting a degree from Sims University is that I start at level 4 of the respective careers, rather than level 1. That is LAME! Considering that I can get a promotion within the first two days if I power work and suck up to the boss in rotation, the cost of getting that degree (unless I already get the maximum scholarship and 18 credits already paid for) is more than what I make in the improved salary!
I'd like to see an overhaul to the career system. I'd like to have to actually APPLY for jobs. Some jobs (such as culinary and/or the part time jobs) don't require any skills (the culinary career would require cooking skill to get promoted, but not hired, since waiting tables is a common first job), but they'd pay small wages without promotions that require high skills.
Alternatively, you could apply as an IT specialist. This would be based on your logic an handiness skills, while having the "computer whiz" trait would provide a flat buff to your hiring chances.
I'd also like to see jobs available from any company that might employ those kinds of people. While a restaurant might be the only ones employing cooks, nearly every company will need an accountant.
If you're in the law-enforcement career, you could apply at the city police department to be a cop, the nearby prison to be a prison guard, or any private company as a security guard. Apply at your favorite bar to be a bouncer! You could even start your own security company or detective agency, if you were so inclined. Purchase a secondary lot, build yourself an office, and file your new business at City Hall. Depending on your business/law enforcement career skills, your charisma skill, your celebrity status, and your existing relationship stati, your new customer base would either skyrocket or plummet.
Similar flexibility would be allowed for nearly ALL careers! You're a computer whiz? Build and sell computers in your garage!
Then we have Sims University. In my opinion, EA's got it backwards, how college is supposed to work. You're supposed to go to college to learn the skills, whereas in this game, having high skills in the first place gets you scholarships.
Instead, I'd like to see it where going to college and getting a degree will allow you to enter careers that you couldn't enter into at all without those degrees. The Medical career comes immediately to mind. Law enforcement would also be a great example, since attorneys cannot practice without a degree.
Yeah, I know! This is a big request! I don't expect everything I want to be provided in a single mod. But are there mods out there that provide at least some of the stuff I'm looking for?
