The job I lost
I worked at a Mortgage lending company & was laid off 11/07. The people I worked w/were the most amazing people. From the owner to the bosses, fellow employees & clients. I truly loved my job & looked forward to going to work each day. I took on each day as a new adventure to conquer & did that in 2006 when I rcvd Employee of the Yr award out of 110 employees. This was a truly honorable achievement for me & I couldn't wait to see what the following yrs had to come. Little did we see that the market was in the process of crashing? March-Nov I saw countless friends being let go until my turn came in Nov when the co clsd
What it's like being unemployed
Being unemployed has been a truly humbling experience. Trust me when I say unemployment is no big pay off in any way but I'm truly grateful for the little bit it does help.
I've gone from living to living for necessities. Being able to purchase things "just because" is now a thing of the past. Dealing with my kids has been the most stressful. I was laid off during my daughter’s senior yr in high school. Senior pix, prom & senior trip, we got through it but it was difficult. I also have an 8 yr old that understands I'm unemployed but doesn't understand why she can't have a $4 box of cereal or a $2 box of fruit snacks when we go grocery shopping. These types of things are what break my heart the most. Now that my unemployment has ran out everything is on my husbands shoulders again. I can't stand to see the stress it puts on him. I've applied for numerous jobs and have been told I'm over qualified or under qualified because I don't have a degree of any sort. I went through schooling provided by the Workforce Investment Board & still have not been able to secure a job in this new field. The school I choose had an internship set up with Sutter & 2 months into schooling that went away. Currently I'm studying for my state test however without an internship it may be difficult to gain a job in this field since 1 yr experience is usually what is required. I pray each day that a job is around the corner. Some days are better than others but it's really disheartening to know that I've paid into the unemployment system since I was 16 yrs old and now that I need it, it's not there, I'm 38 now. Each day I anxiously wait for news of another extension but I honestly don't think that congress realizes how we are hurting. Some people look at it as the people taking advantage of the system. My problem is how is it taking advantage of any system when I've paid into it for 22 yrs & have never had to use it until now & I know I'm not alone.
I feel that if Congress or EDD mandated Employers to work with the unemployed (especially those that have worked with EDD/Work Force Investment board) and Employers were given some type of incentive for interning unemployed people the economy would slowly get back on its feet. It's silly to think of the amount of $$ that is invested in retraining people like me but yet there are no jobs for us to enter in? Where is the logic in that?
Advice
- Young people stay in school and get educated, earn a degree. This is what I preach to my oldest daughter now that she has entered college. I have learned that no job is forever & that even though you may be older, it’s good to still peruse education to better yourself as you never know when you may need it.
- Sunday newspapers that have coupons are wonderful & so are online coupons. Lastly, keep your chin up, stay positive. Things may look bad but know they could be worse. Be grateful for the simple things in life, your health and your family. If you don't land the job(s) you applied for keep trying!
