I THINK WE ALL SHOULD

**imported_elp6n** · September 16th, 2008, 10:34 AM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: greencrest1272</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Since when is $20,000 a year a good salary begining or not?
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When those same people earning $20K would have zero income (welfare) or $14K at McD's full time at $7 an hour (and still have to draw welfare). It's a matter of perspective for the folks that have a little less opportunity in their lives. Not everyone has the higher education opportunity or have job skills that are in high demand.

Is the call center a great place for everyone? No, but it gives opportunity to those who without it had zero opportunity.

I also know that Sykes saved more than one family whose primary bread winner lost their job and had no other existing skills.

(As a side note - maybe if wise county had consolidated schools the students would have more offerings and opportunities and we'd have a higher rate of college graduates out of the county and places like call centers wouldn't be a "beacon" for so many.)

**pvfan** · September 16th, 2008, 10:36 AM

People around here who get educated and can help the community sadly move away for jobs. I'm hoping these new schools can promote staying in the area, we need people who are from this area that can help us. Now, if only we could get those people to jump into the mess and then get the old folk around here to vote for em. It's a pain, I tell you.

**greencrest1272** · September 16th, 2008, 10:37 AM

I absolutely understand what you are saying.

My beef occurs when Boucher and all these political leaders tout call centers and the like as economic saviors. These places are not doing anything for SWVA.

Like I said, a fast food restaurant employs just as many people and almost pays the same.

**greencrest1272** · September 16th, 2008, 10:37 AM

I know first hand...

**imported_elp6n** · September 16th, 2008, 10:40 AM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: greencrest1272</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I absolutely understand what you are saying.

My beef occurs when Boucher and all these political leaders tout call centers and the like as economic saviors. These places are not doing anything for SWVA.

Like I said, a fast foot restaurant employs just as many people and almost pays the same.</div></div>

That's true - the place isn't a cure for underemployment or unemployment - it just helps.

**imported_MOX** · September 16th, 2008, 11:07 AM

I dont really care much for this area at all because there are no good jobs unless you go underground. My wife and I are having our first baby in March so we are planning on staying around here until the baby is about 2 bc we figure we might need a lil help at first and here we have her parents and mine. But once the baby gets about 2 or 3 we are moving to Lexington where her brother lives. Her oldest brother is 2nd in line with a pretty good sized company there that builds homes, decks and things have that nature. His boss which is the owner is hanging it up here in about 2 years and leaving everything to Eric putting him in full charge. He said as soon as he gets control of the company that he wants us to move there and he will set me up with a good job starting off around 50K which is way better than I will ever find around here.

**imported_MOX** · September 16th, 2008, 11:11 AM

But I do agree with elp6n on her take with the callcenters in this area. I've worked at most of em including Sykes,Leads.com,Travelocity,Virtus Marketing and my wife works at Logisticare right now. While I did not enjoy any of those places they are decent jobs. Sure they dont pay a whole lot but if it wasn't for these places then there would be ALOT of people around here without jobs. I dont know the exact numbers but I know Sykes employs atleast 300 people and the other centers all employ atleast 100 with the exception of Telemed(they probably have 50 or so). But like she said about some people losing the job they had and having no special skills or higher education they can always go to Sykes and get a job. $10 an hour isn't GREAT money but for around here it is pretty decent, most people can get by off that especially if their spouse has a job as well.

**1inStripes** · September 16th, 2008, 12:44 PM

So you worked for Domby at Leads? He's something else.

**imported_MOX** · September 16th, 2008, 12:46 PM

Yeah sure did and yeah he sure is. I only worked there for about 2 months tho back during the summer of '06. I dont know Jerry all that well but I know his brother Kenneth pretty good,we worked together at Sykes then again at Travelocity and he would always ride with me when we worked at Travelocity. Now Kenny is a real character.