This chance encounter might provide some hope and perhaps a new perspective for those of you who have lost a job or have a family member unemployed.
I ran into an old friend today at a convenient store. This girl didn't too well in high school. I hadn't heard from her in a while and I assumed she had ended up working in the same factory that many of her parents did. Well, that turned out to be true...until three years ago when the plant started letting people go. Event hough she had been there for 18 years, Of course, my first response was that I was sorry. She quickly replied, "I'm not. It was the best thing that ever happened to me."
She had just started a job as a physical therapist assistant and was making very good money for these parts. Fir the first time in her life, she had good benefits. How did this happen?
Since her job was transferred to Mexico, she was eligible for special training funds. She had taken some classes over the years and had always wanted to work in health care. She ended up spending 2 1/2 years in school. She admitted it was the worst two years in her life...she loved learning but money was tight and it took her family's devotion, too. At last, she had a good job and said she would have dug in for four years if she needed to.
She found out about the program at her local career center. These are all over the country but may be done by Career One-Stops. She said that if she had not changed careers, she
would still be unemployed.
Just some ideas for those of you looking to make it in this bad economy. If you can't get a job, maybe you can start getting read for a new job when the economy recovered.
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Comments: 13
I am still looking for a job myself
she was a lucky woman indeed!!
That was good
this is good some have the education and having problems getting something
Great post. When I was laid off in 2002, I, like many others, looked for jobs within my field. I was out of work for 5 months (working some temp positions during that time). I got a call from my roommate that they were looking for people in client services at her company. It was a temp position but I was hired full time within three months. The position was completely different than what I was doing. I'm still there 6 years later.
I am retired now, I do have 2 associate degress though I could use...
It is a great time to follow your dreams or just try something new. If you plan it right, you don't really have much to lose.
I'm glad that things worked out so well for your friend.
You are absolutely right Amanda, great post.
My husband made a complete career change 3 years ago, when he was unable to find work in his field.
That's good to know, Amanda! You never know when someone might need that info...
With the aging baby boom generation, health care is going to provide a lot of people with work if they have the training. Good article!
Very good information Amanda. I was thinking about a career change myself.
Carree change? You mean theres something out there besides Gather? Maybe I will become a pasta maker - care to join me Amanda? Ha ha ha ha ha