OT: I feel so unwanted

I feel so unwanted and useless. I work as a subsitute teacher but when I am not at school I spend 12 hours a day sitting at home doing nothing. I would love to go volunteer at the library but I am not allowed to because I am on the payroll as a subsitute for them as well except they are being so tight with their sub budget it isn't funny. I haven't worked there in over a month. I am having difficulty find a job, I apply for nearly a dozen jobs a week but haven't had an interview in nearly a year. For someone who worked all the way through high school and collage it is very depressing and painful to be unempolyed. I have a teaching liseance and nine years of library experiance but I can't get a job even working as a telemarketer. I was told by the telemarketing company that I was a too much of a risk, i.e. my prospects for getting a better job were just too high. I can't get a job at the library because they never have any job openings and when they do they see to find someone better qualified or better friends with the person doing the hiring. I just don't know what to do with myself anymore, the people who I thought were my friends now treat me like I am in the way.

Ashley

Aww Ashley... I can't really say I know what you mean, I've never been in that situation... but do know there are people who think more of you and do want you and love you.

An opportunity will open up someday, maybe not incredibly soon, but once it does happen, snatch it up!

Don't lose heart! [img]graemlins/heart.gif[/img]

oh dear . . .keep on keeping on. (that's what my dad always says).


I hope that an opportunity is right around the corner for you! I'll be thinking of you!!

I noticed that you live in Colorado, and everyone I know who lives in that state has an employment problem. The best thing to do is just hang on. You know, you don't have to list your education just to get a plain clerk job. People create resumes for different positions.

Maybe you could volunteer somewhere else like at a preschool, a daycare, the church nursery, or the local hospital pediatric floor. Or maybe you could try something completely different. Look around and try to think of somewhere that sounds interesting to you. If you get out and about more, you will meet more people, you will feel less lonely, and I bet your chances for a job will improve too. The economy is bad in lots of places and the job market seems to be very tough. I agree that most of the jobs that do open up tend to go to someone that the person hiring knows. That just shows that almost everyone knows someone who is job hunting. Try doing some other things now and maybe the next time a good job opens up, you will be the person that someone knows. [img]smile.gif[/img]

oooh, good advice! [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img]

I would first try to find someone who can help you create a resume for different positions so that you know which one to use for certain employers. That way they won't see you as a risk when they look at your resume, and they will give you a chance. If you go into the interview with a very visible willingness to do any type of work, and a good work ethic, that shows. If you go in with a defeatist mentality, that shows too.

For right now with the economy being what it is, I wouldn't limit myself to just libraries or schools if the market seems closed. Is there a Starbucks or a Subway? Places like that and retail shops may have high turnover. At least you would be establishing more work history and gaining a reference to provide for your next prospective employer. True, a degree or license would make you overqualified, but the experience could provide you with peers to network with.

I have an accounting degree. In my hometown in Ohio, jobs like that didn't open up often because people settled and retired there. I had to go where the jobs were. In NC my first job was part time seasonal retail. The women I worked with pointed me in the direction of the employment security comission and that is where I got my first good paying full time job down here doing something with my degree/field of study.

Just a few thoughts.

Sometimes you need to get creative, and make your own job.
About 20 years ago, our elementary school(private, parochial) didn't have a latchkey program, and I heard a number of mothers expressing a need. After doing some research on what was involved, I talked to the pastor, and set up a program.

Summer is coming, how about offering yourself out for childcare, maybe 2 or 3 girls with an interest in AG?
How about offering tutoring during the summer?
My neighbor girl practically put herself through college working as a nanny during the summer. A lot of parents prefer one on one to daycare, and are willing to pay more.
Keep sending resumes, and try not to get discouraged. Sometimes a defeatist attitude carries into an interview.
Look for other places, beside the library where you can volunteer. Sometimes volunteer positions become paid positions.
Just do your best, not to let it get you down!
I've been through a couple of bouts of unemployment with my husband, and he did the best when he was kept busy. He's an accountant, and for him, there were always accounting temp agencys, so he could keep working in between jobs.
That did a lot for his morale!
We'll be rooting for you!

It sounds like you are in a little slump. I have been in those, too. I am sure a lot of us have. MaryCarly gave you some good advise. I would volunteer at church, girl scouts, big sisters or something completely different like the zoo or the museum. The more new people you get to know, the more opportunities that will open up.

After I got my bachelor's degree, I ended up working as a waitress for almost a year because of the tight job market. I was pretty sad about it, but eventually, I did get a decent job in my field. In the mean time, I had fun waitressing and met a lot of nice people.

Ashley,

This is just a suggestion but my dd has been going to summer camp for about 4 years now, I went to sign her up at the YMCA they are having a very difficult time finding qualified staff this year ( head people) , Im sure with your education you would be more then qualified!! Here in MA the pay is quite good and I know that there were a few teachers from my DD school who did this in the summer time. Maybe a head leader for a summer program would be a good job for you. Also, have you tried Monster.com?

I know exactly how you feel. I graudated with a masters degree in art history, and pretty much knew that my dream job of teaching as a college professor was a slim chance. But the carrot was dangled in front of my face this past spring, There was a position open at a state university and I sent in a resume and did get an interview. The interview was a total disaster. I was nervous and not my sharpest, plus I wasn't asked the typical interview questions so the preperation that I did, didn't help me. Anyway now I am very shy about academia after that.
I have had to get my real estate license for work even before that college interview came up. It wasn't what I studied in college for 6 years to do, but it did get me by. Now I am going to buy a business (hopefully) this summer. I don't have a job that I want to keep forever right now, so I thought I would make one I would like. I understand that it's not easy for everyone to do, there are risks involved with starting a business, and my uncle is cosigning and helping me along with the loan and everything.
But if all else fails- you could sell real estate. You meet a lot of interesting people, it's not that hard, and you get good experience.
I do really know how you feel because I did have a chance to get a job in my field and I blew it this past spring.
I wish you all the luck!

It is gettomg close to the end of the term . Could you advertize in your local paper about doing private tutoring .

Ashley, how tied are you to Colorado? People here have given you excellent advice; and if you are open to exploring new places, summer camps and nannying can take you on adventures across the country, or even around the world. Many families in more wealthy communities are looking for nannies to travel with them and keep the kiddies occupied at the beach or even abroad for the summer. If you do this, I would register at several reputable nanny service organizations. Or how about helping with children's programs for a cruise line? Spending your summer on a cruise ship doing activities with kids can't be all bad! [img]wink.gif[/img]

Whatever you do, keep your chin up! Make a list of all of your skills - however insignificant they may seem to you - and see what you can find. Take your list to an employment agency and talk to a counselor there for help in discovering where you can use those skills alone or in any combination.

Hi Ashley,

I really know how you feel. I have a bachelor's degree and it's still really difficult for me to get a job. Last year I went in for numerous interviews for office/receptionist-type jobs and got turned down many times. I wasn't originally planning on going to grad school, but my job chances seemed so dismal that I am now taking classes at a different university and looking into getting a master's degree. However, I did manage to land a great part-time job as an after-school teacher last fall, but the program ended earlier this month and I am once again unemployed.

It can be so hard and discouraging sometimes, and I totally understand why you feel so sad... When I'm done with my finals at school, I plan to look for a new job, but I'm dreading the whole interview process and all. [img]frown.gif[/img] I wish you the best...there are definitely going to be hard times in life and sometimes they feel as though they will never end. But as my mom used to tell me: "When God closes a door, he opens a window." Good luck and I am hoping that you will have better days ahead of you! Don't give up. [img]graemlins/rose.gif[/img]

I am applying in Kansas, Colorado and the Seattle/Tacoma area.

I did apply to the YMCA for a summer job but haven't heard anything from them.

Ashley

I feel the same way. I've been out of college for 2 years this May, and the one job I had in that short amount of time I had to quit after a month because of severe pains. The problem is that I can't work retail--that last job flaired back up my latent arthritis, and now I have pain in my right shoulder and hips almost every day. And all the sitdown jobs I've looked at haven't hired me. It's extremely frustrating. =(

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Originally posted by angelnise:
I noticed that you live in Colorado, and everyone I know who lives in that state has an employment problem. The best thing to do is just hang on. You know, you don't have to list your education just to get a plain clerk job. People create resumes for different positions.

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yeah, that's true. My adult cousin and his family live in Colorado, and I know he's been going from one job to another.

If you decide to volunteer in the meantime, how about checking out the auxiliary staff in your local hospitals? They often have someone assigned to be a library lady and take a book cart to all the patients.

Joy

Ashley, I totally sympathize with you. I had my dream job working in news for about a year -- and then due to various circumstances (read: I didn't get fired, do anything wrong, etc), I can no longer work for that company for at least 3 months b/c of regulations. So, I am now working back in retail at my old college job, but at least I am not sitting around doing nothing. I did that for about two weeks and I couldn't stand it. I'd rather be productive and doing something that's a) a paycheck and b) something kinda fun (I get to play with makeup all day)while I'm searching for a job.

Try getting a fun retail job at a bookstore or educational store like Schoolbox where you can meet other like-minded people and maybe even get some job contacts. You never know who you'll meet, and plus you'll be getting paid. Also, have you tried tutoring places like Sylvan Learning center? My college roommate's mother was in a similar situation as you (worked as a sub but couldn't get a teaching job) and started working at Sylvan tutoring. She loves it.

Also, just as a heads up: here where I live in Georgia, our state is DESPERATE for qualified teachers, and I don't mean out in the boonies; I'm talking metro Atlanta -- suburbia. The starting salary for teachers is the highest in the South and I think is higher than the national average. If you have any questions, let me know: my aunt and best friend are both teachers in Georgia.

Hard to add to the great advice you have already gotten.

I also think volunteering at a hospital is a great idea.

With your education, I was wondering if you could see what kind of jobs the hospitals in your area have that you might be interested in. Putting in a job application at a hospital might help also. The hospitals need more then doctors and nurses to run efficiently.

I don't know if you are married or not. If not I would look into getting involved with a church group for young adults. You need to get out and have fun.

You might also look into being a big sister. I am sure there is a young girl out there that would love to share your love of AG dolls.

Hope that helps a bit.

[img]graemlins/smarty.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/smarty.gif[/img]

Sorry you're having so much trouble, Ashley; the job market's really hard some places (and some places where it's hot, it's still difficult to earn a living wage!). Everyone else gave such good advice I can't add much. I had a hard time finding a job out of college and wound up temping; I was eventually hired and am working a job that doesn't require a degree, but it pays OK. [img]smile.gif[/img] If you don't really want to move, are there any temp agencies you can try?

Whatever you do, please remember that having trouble finding a job has nothing at all to do with your worth as a person. If they don't want YOU, then either they're having budget troubles and don't want anyone, or else they chose someone else among the hundreds or thousands of applicants they had. I know it's hard (that's why I wound up temping; I got frustrated with not getting interviewed or hired after my first 6 applications or so [img]tongue.gif[/img] ) but if you just keep trying, you'll get something eventually!

I have little to add for advice except to ditto the people who are saying to have various resumes for different kinds of jobs, and not mention your education for the lower-paying ones outside your field.

All of education is having problems. I have my BA and MA and will have my PhD next year. But there are very few job openings for college professors- about 200 qualified applicants for every one job. There's plenty of part-time work but it pays worse than most receptionist and retail positions, has bad schedules, and you have to commute to three or four different colleges to make even around $2000 a month after taxes. With gas prices in So Cal, it's getting to be impossible to do this. Most of us are very disillusioned at this point, after working part-time in the field for years, going through 10 years of school, etc. and are fleeing education for business, activism, NGOs, etc.

My teaching contracts end in July and I hope to find a full-time job in the applied sector. It makes me sad to leave teaching because I really love it and get great student evaluations, but I realized it was more like a hobby than a career. I make as much money per hour training horses as I do teaching at a college (neither one is much). That's pretty pathetic since I've gone to school for 10 years to teach college. [img]eek.gif[/img]

I wish you all the best and hope you find something soon!

Ashley,
I understand where you are coming from. When I got my Master's degree 3 years ago, it took me almost a year to find a job in my field! It was so frusterating, and I felt so embarrassed being unemployed, especially after having two degrees! I eventually found a good job, so it does happen, but just takes a while. Everyone here has given some great advice and suggestions; you may want to look into getting a "fun" job at a bookstore or something like that until a professional job comes through. Also, it never hurts to volunteer wherever you can because they may end up hiring you My mom told me this and I wish I would have listened to her! Good luck!

Keep us posted. I hope you are feeling better. [img]graemlins/heart.gif[/img]