Category: the Rant Board
We all know jobs are hard to come by in this day and age. Right now the job market sucks more than an over-enthusiastic vacume, And if you don’t already know that, you’ve either won the lottery, managed to remain in the industry you started in, got extremely lucky, or you live off the government and don’t really give a rat's hairy sphincter.
This brings me to my first point. I HATE living off the government. I hate it so very friggin much! Sure when I was younger it was great. Oooooh, free money while I go to school! Well guess what? Now I’m almost 29, and not only am I living off the government, I’ve got the start of a family to support! Point is, I need a job. I need a job like a drowning person needs air because right now, I’m drowning in feelings of social and financial inadequacy. I feel … well to be honest I feel friggin disabled. I feel like a dog might feel after being neutered. Sure he’s still loved, sure he can still play and run and pee anywhere he wants …. But there’s something missing. He’s half a dog. And right now I feel like half a man … the bottom half. Every time the parents or the in-laws call , it’s the same old tired tale. “I’m still looking.” “I’ve got an interview.” “I just got rejected again.” Those are the three variants of “that” conversation.
“What, do you have a piano tied to your back cheeks or something? Get up and pound that pavement boy! When I was your age I was out there every day going door to door like a pretentious salesman spouting my resume at anyone who would take it. Finding a job IS a full time job! So forget yourself and work! Work! Work!”
Yeah yeah, I’ve heard variations on that old speech more times than I care to think about. Guess what? I AM trying! I am trying, and I’m sick of trying at the same time. No, I don’t apply to every single job that comes along in the hopes some compassionate soul will throw me a freekin bone – I already feel desperate enough! But I DO apply for jobs. Many many jobs! I do call and ask for information. I do research. I do put my all into a cover letter and a resume. And both are even pretty good! I have two professional reference letters, and three professional references all of whom would speak highly of me if ever contacted. I might not have the paperwork, but I do have a fair bit of transferable experience. And I am eager and willing to learn. Heck, I don’t even mind working collaboratively on a team! But is that enough? Noooooo! It seems nearly every effort is met either with silence or with “We’ve reviewed your resume, and you are not exactly what we’re looking for at this time. Soooo sorry, but do feel free to keep trying so we can send you the same form letter a few more times.” Although recently I have gotten a few emails and one interview which basically told me that “we really thought you were great, but we have someone who is just that much better. SO sorry, you were number 2, but we needed number 1”.
You want number Two? I’ll give you a friggin number two. And you can take that number two, and you can go suck it. You can suck it until it’s all gone!
I’d be a bloody great worker. The thing about having a disability is I KNOW how hard it is for people like me to get a job. People see someone blind and they wonder, and they scoff. Even if outwardly they are supportive, there’s usually uncertainty. So that’s why I would work all the harder. I know the trust that’s been given to me when I’m hired, and I know I have a lot to prove. And in the last few “jobs” I’ve received, I’ve done my best to make sure I do. And to the best of my knowledge, I have.
This brings me to my second point. People who can’t seem to figure out how to do the jobs they’ve been hired for, and people who piss and moan about how tragically terrible their jobs are. To them I curse a pox on all their household, and for them to be turned to living stone. That’s the kind of petrification where your body is fully transformed, but you remain completely cognascent of your surroundings, and the passage of time.
If you can’t at least attempt to do a job correctly, quit. Quit and leave the job for someone else who needs it. Now, everyone makes mistakes. We’re not perfect. But I swear, some people simply ARE mistakes. It’s like their spirits are trapped in the wrong body or something because they just can’t figure out the simplest of tasks, or they simply don’t care. I’m not talking about Fred Furball over there at the sales counter who fumbles with words, or with the cash register. I’m talking about those stupid bum darts who probably spent half their lives peeing on the toilet seat until someone told them to lift the lid before they start. These are people who consistently provide inaccurate information, or who have a work ethic and personality at constant odds with the very job they’ve been hired for. Case in point, a counselor without empathy or compassion. Or a doctor without a burning desire to see people healed. Basically, I’m talking about people who when you see them, you just can’t help wondering “how did someone like you end up working here?”
Now, those people who feel the need to constantly ejaculate verbal diarrhea about how terrible their jobs, their bosses and their work lives are …. Ooooh, please let me mentally punch them right in their gaping, flapping mouths! I realize we all have bad days. I myself have been known to complain at times about the stupidity of the work place. I’m talking to YOU, Microsoft!! But the truth is, I was always thankful for my job. If you feel the need to complain about the bad day you’ve had at work every once in a while, great! We need amusing stories about the silliness that goes on at work. But when it’s time to go to work and all you can do is moan and groan like a hippo giving birth? That’s when I have a problem. If you hate your job THAT much, quit! Free the space up for someone who will at least appreciate it. I’m so incredibly sick of this. I swear it makes up a decent portion of the Facebook statuses and bus conversations I come across. You need to nut up and shut up, sit back and thank the good Lord, Allah, Buddha, Krishna, the eternal goddess moonbeams or your beloved Iphone that you even have a job at all!
We’re supposed to be moving soon. It’s been in the works off and on for a few years. It’s frustrating because it’s all up to me. Wherever I can find work, we’ll move. I feel under the weight of constant pressure. I know I’m being over-dramatic, but every time someone asks us when we’re moving, it’s like having a gentle punch in the testicles. And for you ladies who have never had testicles, you feel a tightening in your bowels, and a slight bout of nausea. It’s not enough to make you sick, but it’s enough to make you more than a little uncomfortable. Just once I want to be the barer of good news during such a conversation. But right now, I’m just feeling drained. After the constant prayers, government sponsored employment programs for people with disabilities and my own initiative, I just wish I could catch a break. Am I asking for too much? Am I not trying hard enough? I honestly just don’t know anymore. All I know for sure is after so many hard-working attempts have led only to rejection, It gets harder to give it your all. Damn I wish I could justify being a drug dealer. Nobody would ever suspect the blind drug dealer.
I too am almost 29 and still searching. There ain't much out there for a blind guy who's also slowly going deaf.
I definitely understand your sentiments. I would say "don't give up", but really, how long can you hear that before you start to wonder if it's really worth it. I'm not trying to sound like a pecimist, and if/when the economy begins to improve, I think we'll all be singing a different tune, but it's hard enough for sighted people who can walk into any fast food joint and start flipping burgers to get a job. It's not that we can't do the work, or that we don't know how to apply ourselves. it's just that there's only so much we can say or do to educate people. if they're not convinced, we don't get hired. end of story. I'm sure some of us who have been successful in this avenue would be willing to offer a few pointers, but there are some people who have already made their decision before they even meet you in person. and if they don't know you're blind before hand, they've made up their minds as soon as they find out.
O, and for the people who would rather not work and take comfort in sitting at home living off the fucking government, please, just let them do it so those of us who actually appreciate the idea of being in the workforce can actually make it a reality.
I tend to agree. That's why I recently decided to quite searching with the local voc rehab and I decided to look for writing jobs that I could do from home. I recently submitted writing samples to a local online magazine called Southern Idaho Living and, while it would only be part-time at most, it would be something and it would bring in a little extra money. More importantly I would be doing something I love. Becase while I know the economy's difficult for everybody I'm not willing to settle for one of the stereotypical blind person jobs in light of how Social Insecurity handles people who get jobs. If I'm gonna take a cut to my SSI the job damn well better be worth it and not just from a financial standpoint.
must agree myself, it's actually been a pretty large sourse of my frustration lately that i don't have a job of some sort. hopefully once i move next week more options will open up as i'll be in a larger twon but who knows.
Befor I started working I felt worthless indeed so I understand. Something will turn up sooner or later if you just keep at it.
Thank you everyone. I know I'm not the only one going through this. It's a breath of fresh air to hear it though. Congratulations on your writing job Brian. It's a good idea once you can get established. I'm sure the world will open up for all of us eventually.
Well it hasn't been assured yet and there's no guarantee that it will ever. But by the same token there's no guarantee that it won't. And why not try to find work doing something you love? Because even thoug this would part-time it's entirely possible that someone might see my work and like it enough to want me on a more permanent basis. And of course I haven't discounted the possibility of publishing a book either.
Okay, I know the feeling of being out of work. I was between jobs for 10 months, before I got hired. Man, did it suck!! I had a great experience with my Voc Rehab. Not only did I work with a counselor, but I actually had an outreach specialist I could bounce ideas off of. I think the key for me was that I went in there before my last job was through. Next, I told my counselor that just filling out applications and resumes wasn't working, I wasn't landing interviews. At his suggestion, I worked with our outreach specialist. I beefed up my resume, and participated in a Situational Work Assessment. It worked, but barely. By the sheer grace of God, I got hired part-time, but the money's okay. Now, my job is a bit precarious, but if I find myself in the same situation, I'll take a totally different career path. If that means ditching the Human Services field, then fine!! I think being flexible is key, and it sounds like you are. If you can, reach out to other sources. I know not everyone would agree, but I found working with Voc Rehab's outreach specialist worked out great. it helped having an ally, and I always left feeling encouraged. Like another poster said, keep at it. Don't limit yourself, and if you have to move. I know it's nobody's first choice, but I was almost at that point. I'm not about to just sit there, when I can work. build up a team so to speak of resources, housing, work references, friends, family, anyone who can help you with your goal of finding a job. If you've never had one, get some experience. Have someone sighted look over your resume. Don't be afraid to "take a step backwards". It'll suck at first, but it just might land you a job. If you're not getting anywhere with Voc Rehab, get another counselor. Enlist the help of other employment agencies. Maybe your Voc counselor could work with another agency to help you land a position. Call up your professional references and see if they know of anyone who's hiring.
I've tried various agencies over the last few years and they all seemed more bent on telling me what they thought I should do than helping me do what I wanted. And I can't get a new voc rehab counselor because the one I have is the only one here. But by the same token I can't move because I can't afford to, much less anytime soon. And I've considered that possibility, unwelcome as it's been, a lot over the last three or so years. So it almost feels like a catch-22.
Okay, what exactly is it that your counselor and others want you to do. I think you might want to ask yourself what's more important, having a job you don't really like, or waiting for something that you love, thereby wasting time, and not gaining any experience? If it were me, I'd say option number one. Any job is gonna look better than none to a potential employer. With this economy, I wouldn't be too picky. The feeling of earning a paycheck, interacting with co-workers, and learning new tasks should really appeal to you. You seem pretty young, too young to just sit there and not work. You won't believe how much your self-esteme will improve with a job. Imagine it, you could save your own money, possibly move, travel, you name it. Plus, having a job, even one you don't like, shows that you're flexible. Nobody says a crappy job has to be permanent. I used to have the same attitude. Honestly, you should ask yourself how you appear to a potential employer. If I were working in human resources, I'd be much more likely to hire a candidate who's worked a job that maybe wasn't their first choice. Plus, your counselors may have a different perspective on the job market and your abilities than you do. I'd love to work with refugees, but there aren't that many in my town, so I work a different job. Honestly, I don't know anyone blind, or sighted that's working their dream job. Short of working directly with the blind, there's not much I wouldn't do workwise. This has served me well. I now work for an agency I swore I'd never work for. And guess what, it's not that bad. Even in ajob you don't like, you'll still gain valuable skills and develop a strong work ethic. That's how we learn and grow by trying new things, even things we think we may not like. I would strongly encourage you to at least give some serious consideration to the options laid out for you by your counselors and others. Remember, that even if it sucks, they're really trying to help you. Everyone has to start out at the bottom. I'm not saying I'm a work know-it all. But, please, please take the advice offered to you. It's probably in your best benefit. As someone in my early thirties, I wish I would have started my career path earlier than I did.
This is not to the original poster, but on the idea of not doing some work someone didn't want to, while on public benefit:
If you're trying and you don't find work, you deserve for the rest of us to pay for you. Same goes if you can't work.
But if the only reason is you just don't want to do a particular job?
How would you all feel if it was a Mexican American said that? Same goes for you, or me, or whoever. Get on the ball, sport. That's most of us out here. You think we all want to do what we're doing? It's because we have bills to pay, mouths to feed, you know the drill.
I don't much care for public institutions either, but had to do the blind vendors program for a year: Six day work weeks plus books, which I had no particular gripe about, but the locations where the franchises went in were a crock.
I don't know much about the self-esteem bullshit tend to think that's part of academia elitism. You can feel like shit on the job, like you're pimped out, happens all the time. All over the map, all different tier levels.
So while I definitely think I have an obligation to spring for people who can't work, or can't find work, it shouldn't be about choosing to work. None of this "I just don't want to do that kind of work" sort of thinking. If you're self-supported and do that, great. But public help should be for those who either cannot work or who are trying but simply haven't found work. Not for those who refuse a program. Know what happens in the Unemployment office when a guy pulls that? Away with the unemployment check.
Again I'm not saying use a public institution or don't use one. They're government employees, though, and for all they may talk, they really haven't a head for the private sector. That in part may be why the private sector wouldn't take 'em and so we're all feedin em and puttin em to work.
Definitely network with people you know and try and get in someplace. But know this: None of us is out here because we just can't wait to put in long days on salaries and take fewer vacations than our parents' generation did, and have a tougher time making ends meet than previous generations. Everyone is out there bustin their hump because that's just what happens. As to the specifics of being blind? I get it: when I was unemployed, it was frustrating. If I could've gone to the local grocery store or cab company and got hired I would have. Even the basic technical jobs would have nothing to do with me, not because of my eyes, but another elitist academia word 'over-qualified'.
So I took the first thing that came along. And no that's not the exception that's normal.
Again, think black, think Mexican. Some of you who go on and on about politics and how others use the system, what greater abuse of a public wellfare system than to refuse a job because you just don't want to do that kind of job?
I've been there. I looked for a job for years and finally gave up. I was also tired of the rejections and felt like half a person. When a new school opened for massage therapy, I enrolled and now been a massage therapist for two years and employed at a very nice salon. I was rejected by some spa's in town because of the blind issue but some employers are just ignorant. Maybe next interview ask if you can have a trial period so they can see you can do the job. We as blind people should not have to ask for this trial time but sometimes we have to prove ourselves because the public don't understand we are able to work and be productive. Good luck!
I agree with the two previous posters.
I once took a job with a small business. The president of the company didn't know whether I could do the job, I didn't know whether or not I could do it either (I didn't even know whether or not speech could work with their system.) We were about 2k apart on salary. We finally agreed I'd start work with them at his offer for six weeks if it worked out, he'd up my salary to my suggested salary. if not, no hard feelings and I was out on the streets. I worked for the company for four years and it was a lot of fun.
What they didn't know was that I had two babies and a wife to feed, and would have happily accepted anything.
So, you never really know how much fun a job can be until you take it and try it. But I guess you have to be desperate before you learn that lesson.
Bob
Bob
There comes a time when you pretty much have to take anything you can get. That's not a result of being blind, but it is an unfortunate truth for some people. But I definately understand the rejection aspect. it's hard to keep giving the application process your all only to discover you havent a snowball's chance of getting in. Shaw, an internet and cable company up here in Canada has taught me that. That said, some jobs like telemarketing are just an embarrassment to humanity, for a lot of people. WHen we see ourselves faced with the need of working at something like that, it gets depressing. I'll say this though, I've felt more confident going and talking to employers, being up-front and honest, and friendly then I ever did just spreading resumes out there. Aditude and personality goes a long way.
Definitely! I have been on both sides of the coin in terms of the job situation. I am grateful for my current job, and I have weathered many storms with them. It's been good and bad, and honestly I want to stick around there until such point as I have a baby :)
I agree with many of the above posts who state just pound the pavement, do what you can, but I have also been discouraged at the two year period when I wasn't working. It is discouraging and painful and demoralizing.
Another take on this is to not at all let potential employers know that you're desperate; employers will pick up on it.
When I was trying to shift out of call center work, I remember applying for another position working for the same company I am with now. I'd applied for a job I didn't know I wasn't qualified for. The one question I asked in that interview - which I had never asked before or since - was "are you an equal opportunity employer?" Their response was "Yes." Then, as calmly as you please, I demanded they prove it to me that they weren't just blowing smoke.
I've never been so terrified in my life as in the split second of silence that followed. LOL
Kate
I'd agree with Leo, that you can definitely have low self-esteem from a job. However, I personally would rather have a job and face whatever self-esteem issues that may arise from that, than not have a job in the first place. I'd also agree witht he previous poster. If possible, try not to let employers know you're desperate. Instead of for instance, spouting off how much you need the job, turn that around, and say how flexible you are, or how much you like to learn new things. I'm not saying you'd do that, just wanted to give an example of how to turn desperation around. The only way I've found to get out of desperation mode was to take whatever's offered. Believe me, it sucked having to go the Voc REhab route in a sense, but now, I'm glad I did. I'd do it again if I have to. Like Leo sated, it's nobody's first choice, but for me, I'd reached a point where a situational work assessment was a way for me to maintain my sanity. I too also had to prove to my potential employer that I could do the job. Like another poster, the trial work actually turned out to be advantageous for the company and me. I would also agree with Leo that it's not just blind eople working crappy jobs, it's lots of sighted people as well. Anyway, hope this helps. Just want to make it clear that I'm not trying to be hard on anyone here, just want to share things from my perspective.
Wow Musician, that was a ballsy move I must admit.
Not seeming too desperate is certainly the way to go. I've had a lot of interviews in my time, and the one thing I've learned is employers respond a lot better when you're pleasant, sound sincerely interested and, even if you aren't qualified, are able to relate your beliefs or experiences in a manner which would benifit the position you're applying for.
For instance, I have pretty much no sales experience at all. However my four years in customer service and philosophy of good salesmanship really impressed someone who told me straight out that she's usually looking for people who have more experience. Now I have a phone interview tomorrow. Goes to show how far a little personality, honesty and relevant BS you can back up can get you.
It was ballsy... but I would do it again if I had to. LOL
And the truth of the saying "It isn't what you know but who you know" is unfortunately too true, which does suck. Good luck with your phone interview. Plan on coming up this way anytime soon? We'd love to have you :)
One word for you people out looking:
Craigslist.
I'm dead serious.
I've been on the other side of the fence, the hiring side. Frankly I am glad not to be hiring people now because there are lines of people for just one position.
But what is refreshingly obvious about Craigslist is the lack of recruiters, career counsellors, and other social taxpayer-sponsored paraphernalia who don't only get in your way, but actually get in the way of employers. They have the nuts to call an employer and tell them the reverse of what they tell you: What they should expect when an employee comes in for an interview.
In other words, it's just an industry they have created to justify their own existence.
Go on Craigslist, whether you're looking or hiring, and look at the real refreshingly honest resumes on there. Sure, I got the 12-page letter once from the ex-conn telling me how great a human being I would be if I just gave him a chance, but honestly, people on Craigslist have got it right, and are cutting out the middle man.
I never knew that shocking truth about the career counsellor industry until I rode the other side of the fence, hiring rather than being hired.
Four words for them: GET OFF MY PHONE!
I mean, would any of you tolerate it if you asked me or my company for a piece of software, and we turned around and tried to explain to you just how to ask us? Or how you were supposed to shop for said software? No. What an arrogant bunch of overfed premadonas!
And you people who are out busting your tail trying to find work are taking the short end because of them.
My advice, cut out the middle man, go on Craigslist and post your resume, also be looking in the classifieds on Craiglist on a constant basis.
None of the premadonas could have ever found the man I needed for a particular job once, and yet on Craigslist I found him in 2 days. Ditch the middle man. They're no good for ya.
Remember after they get off your phone, or before they get on your phone, they're on the pphone with your future employer telling them what it is you are supposed to look like when you get there. Then they turn around and tell you that your employer will expect x, y and z. It's all artificial and it's done to support the career placement industry.
Make an account on Craigslist so you only have to do a captcha once and then youshould be good. I've found their audio captchas do work just fine.
It's an interesting idea. Certainly a good additional resource. Any means of networking would be benificial I think. I've gotten more prospects actually talking to people then I ever did just going through online applications.
I used the HRDC job banbk to find most of my jobs since coming to Alberta. It's a decent resource, though I have learned to avoid anything that involves going through a temp or placement agency because they simply can't be bothered to learn what we can do.
Just remember that whole career guidance / career counsellor business is a sales game for some middlemen. They're riggin' their own game to best suit their self-interest. That's just animal nature, but I'd say out-compete them by not going through the middle man. You'll be better off, and employers are equally better off when they do.
Okay, like I've said, my experience with Voc Rehab was great. To Leo, sounds like you're not a huge fan of the whole Voc Rehab system. But, in a field like Human Services, it's very competitive, and not easy for anyone, blind or sighted. The advantage I've found is that my Outreach Specialist happened to have a few connections in the field. Just turning in apps, and doing my research wasn't working. Especially in my smaller city. I'd love to be able to say that I hadn't used the system, and that it's not needed, but it is, at least in my case. A lot of Human Service work is very visual, and requires a driver's license. I once got a n interview, but when the Job Specialist went in there to check things out beforehand, the job wasn't feasible for a blind person. There was too much required driving, and visual monitoring of foster parents and children. The good part was that I saved myself a lot of embarrassment and the interviewer a lot of time. The Outreach Specialist was able to explain how I may or may not be able to do the job. Sure, I could have done that myself, but she was also able to ask questions that I may not have been able to. I too went through a "regular job agency". All that happened was I got a referral for my local DVR. So again, it was kind of time wasted. Maybe the IT or business fields are different. Maybe it is easier to get a head start on your own. Plus, I liked having someone who could answer all the funding-related questions that arise, the specialist could better explain the duties and responsibilities of DVR than I could. They say that it's ot who you know, but who you kno, knows. I sort looked at the specialist as just another connection. Plus, she helped me with interview and resume tips. We sort of came up with a plan together. It was good to get her feedback about what was realistic and what wasn't. Plus, with my situational work assessment, the employer got paid, so they weren't losing any money, it was a contract, and it looks better on a resume than just a plain ol volunteer job. Sometimes it takes another person, in this case, a specialist to explain that a blind person could do the job. Sort of like another reference. I too have good professional references. To the original poster, it's a good idea to taylor your resume and cover letter to the job to which you're applying. PM me with any other questions.
I should say, I have no basis for saying the voc rehab people are a rigged game, they weren't what I was talking about.
They are not the artificially-inflated high-paid recruiters running around. I take it this person worked for the government and that is probably quite different. So to clear things up it was not voc rehab on my phone telling me what to ask my future employees at interviews, nor was it voc rehab that tried to tell us to adjust job descriptions and the like. I have no call to stake any sort of claim for or against them, except they accepted me in the food program for a year with largely no difficulties.
No I was talking the career placement places job-seekers spend lots of hours with and employers spend hard-earned dollars on.
Hello,
So I myself have had not very good experience finding jobs or any semblance of one. I've been looking for a job for the last 5 years or so, ever since graduating from lions world in arkansas and getting my MCSE certifications. I worked for almost a year at the austin lighthouse but they laid me off and never called me back for work again, and I've had trouble finding any sort of work since. I recently got a job here with one of the adaptive technology training companies writing a really long documentation on microsoft office 2007 and 2010 but it was a one time thing and once I was done with the few months it took to do that I never got anything else from them. I'm now having to move to Raleigh due to the fact that my boyfriend is working there but I also want to get me a job as well, since frankly I'm so tired of staying at home doing absolutely nothing and it seems like no matter where I apply I dont' have enough experience or just none at all. It doesn't help that I don't have a college degree either but at this point I can't afford to go back to school. I have a baby to take care of and feed, therefore, for me right now finding any sort of job is very important so blind guardian I totally understand where you're coming from. I hope to eventually find something soon, but as my jobs have been spread out over years and haven't seemed to last very long I don't seem to have good luck finding something, so I can't help but be pesimistic about things.
I've been in the same boat, and may still be yet again, I don't know.
Before I lost all my sight I was prepared to go work at a gas station stocking shelves or something, anything to become partly self sufficent and get on that road. I'm still sick of being supported by my mom and the government but I can't do anything else until my business picks up.
I went to school for massage therapy myself before I went totally blind, which was unexpected, the blind part mind you. Well I live in a small town and it will take time to build up my client list. Maybeif I had joined a chiropractor or something, things would be different, but I wanted to run my own business.
In retrospect, maybe that was a mistake right out of the gate, but I am advertising my brains out, cutting my usual prices and just trying to get the bodies in the door.
If things don't pick up I am tempted to find a part time job SOMEWHERE to help as well.
Being almost thirty and feeling like I'm not self sufficient sucks big time, and so many jobs seem to need sight or for me, are too far to go to unless I have a definite rid.
Leo, going to actually look at Craigslist now that you mentioned it. If my business has to be turned part time for a while until things get rolling, I am good with that.
Better yet, maybe I'll find a part time job with a chiropractor in a town nearby. *shrug*
Ok, enough ranting from me. I am feeling comfortable for the moment, but I'm sure the desperation will surface again if things get really slow, as they are now.
/endrant
@Blindbat: First let me say congratulations. Congratulations on your decision to start your own business. But hear me out on this one, I'll do my best to explain and not ramble (ha!)
I believe everyone in America should be seeking to own their own ship, run their own operation. I was born in 1970, and by the time I reached college many of my friends had started losing the opportunity to go because their fathers, and to some extent mothers, were losing their jobs.
Before you start saying "Companies can't do that! That's so not fair!"
You need to understand the difference between assets and resources. An asset is something you invest in, while a resource is something that you use and throw away when you're done.
Your 401K? An asset. The toilet paper you use to wipe your ass? A resource. As long as you are a w2er, earning a salary, working endlessly for some conglomerate, you are a resource. That conglomerate is the john and you are the prostitute.
Is this all bleak? No. In fact, this same machine will actually provide you the resources you need to learn how to be an entrepreneur. It's provided as opportunity. Does your employer want you to be a part of a team interviewing people? Great! That is a skill you never learned for your vocation but you must know how to do well if you are going to be in business for yourself. Put in a position of leadership? Running a project? Do it with balls of fire, because you're going to learn how it's done, and again, not something your vocational training or college education taught you. In fact, the better you do for your employer the better you will be for yourself. Contrary to popular opinion, people who have an interest in becoming an entrepreneur make fabulous and productive employees.
Just remember that as long as you are a corporate w2 slave, you are not an asset. You are just a resource. They lay off and downsize resources to protect their assets.
So while we W2 prostitutes play the game, we have to remember they are johns, no more no less. If your john can get it for cheaper, or if you fail to put out for any reason at all, you're replaced. As long as we are in the W2 game we will work very hard for what we do not have.
When you own your own show, trust me. You will work at least as hard. The difference is, you are not an it, you are not a resource, a piece of toilet paper. You are an asset.
So while you W2 at 60 hours a week, build that asset as much as you can. Build it by being ambitious, take on any responsibilities the employer may throw your way, read management publications, compete with yourself to every single time better manage the company's money. That goes for finding a cheaper rate for your travel, keeping your department's budget in the black (percentages in the black not on the edge), learn to interview, hire and fire.
I admit: I've had two failed ventures, and the third I left to go W2 again for the health insurance for the daughter and to enable the wife to get on with the second career.
I view my W2 existence like day trading: I may last, and I may not. I'm giving it 110% not because I'm a sorry loser grateful psycophant or a equally sorry loser complainer, but because whatever happens my asset grows. Two things will happen: either I will successfully get a venture off the ground and keep it that way, or just die as somebody's junk, somebody's human resource, somebody's toilet paper which will get tossed as soon as I'm used up or what I have can be gotten for cheaper.
Never ever say to yourself: "They can't do that!" They can, and they will, most of the time. If this particular 'they' won't, their replacements will. But take advantage of the opportunities, and while you are there, your employer will benefit from it. Just keep out in front of you, that to them you are a human resource. And to you you are an asset.
Best of luck to you and anyone else smart enough to keep a personal entrepreneurial attitude.