ISSUES (OF A DIFFERENT SORT)

I stared at the email. Kos was dealing with his mother's problems. I wished that I could hold him and tell him that things would get better. It would take time.

I frowned. The time on the library computer told me that I was running late. I moved to my next address: craigslist.com.

Over the last month, my work hours at the Family Restaurant had been decreased to three days. Most of the time, I do not finish out a shift. Meanwhile I worked only one day (at reduced hours) at Retailo Techno.

It was past time for either a new full time job or a third (and fourth?) job.

With a BA in English, I felt it would be possible to find a better job. Was getting a degree just pointless?

CORPORATE AMERICA....ONLY FOR A FEW

Kos suggested it. So has Glenn. Ditto James. What is it? Why! It is a job in business-suit-having American. Entry-level or mail clerk did not matter. They felt it would pay better than food service or retail. And with my degree, I should be perfect for an office assistant job.

Honestly...what a lord of...

For weeks, I got to the library and sent out resumes and letters. I sat through interviews at temp agencies. Even thought my computer skills are better than average and I can type 60 words per minutes, it would appear that people aren't really hiring. I have found only dead ends or find out agencies aren't interested when the job they would hire me for popped up in the job guides.

Is it that hard to say not interested?

So...a degree...a sign that you have excellent learning ability...meant nothing.

ONTO THE HOTEL CIRCUIT...AND A SAD TRUTH...

When I saw it, I almost jumped out of my skin.

A job fair!! It was for a new hotel about to be constructed from the ashes of the old. For four days, the fair would be only to anyone to fill out applications. People would even been there to interview candidates. I saw the ad and felt full of hope.

When my sister found out, she had her latest man buy me business seats. As I looked at myself in the mirror, I felt this wave of confidence. For years James and Glenn both have advised me to get one. However professional suits are not cheap and I am not rich. So I stared into the mirror, feeling like I was finally on equal foot with everyone else.

I headed for the mall, résumé folder in hand. My feet hit the sidewalk of the mall's outskirts. I look up the escalator. Hispanic Guy was on his way down. By some coincidence, he was on break. His eyes fell on me. A bit of a smile flashed across his face. His head nodded.

"Niiice," Hispanic Guy said before he went back to work.

With that kind of approval, how could I go wrong?

I made it to the job fair. I walked in a high-ceiling room full of long tables where other potential applicants sat. I sat down as well, my eyes wide like someone seeing the city for the first time.

Eventually, I got to talk to an interviewer. He was nice, very professional, and black…which put me at ease. He asked several questions...my idea of good customer service, what made a good worker, and why I want to work there. I gave nice, simple, and hopefully good answers.

At the end, he managed a smile. He thought I would be a perfect co-worker. However, I did not have experience. He thanked me for my time and I left.

And that seem to be the theme at every hotel I went to. I was perfect, but one thing was off. One hotel worker thought that I was perfect...until I said I could not work two or three nights during the week due to The Family Restaurant. She sounded miff which was odd since I applied for days and I knew what days I could work nights. She felt she could work me. Another hotel thought I was perfect in the interview. A few weeks later, I got a formal complimentary care in the mail from him saying no thanks.

Again...the foot in the door...my degree was no help.

SURFING THE NET...IT'S NOT FOR RECREATION ANYMORE

I stood outside the library. It had become a ritual on those days when I did not have resumes to give out. I would wait in line with the other patrons, ready to get to one of the computers.

My target: craigslist.com

I looked through the ads. Naturally, I hoped there were writing jobs I wanted (there wasn't). Due to my friends' pep talks, I looked at higher-paying jobs (where I'm still perfect, but no experience). And then I went to the ads I am experienced at: food service.

Usually, my chest heaved from deep breathing. The deep breathing was brought on by the fact my anger grew. I've been in the food service business for seven years. It was an ends to a means. I know I'm smarter than it, but that was all people seem willing to hire me for. That was why I loved when Retailo Techo's manager hired me. She took a chance. I respected that.

I breathed in and out. Apparently, food service was all people thought I was good for. I continued through the ads. There had to be more. It would be crushing that I went thought six years of schooling to find I cannot get ether the job of my dreams or a good job that either worked me or paid well.

This particular day, I grew tired of looking on Craig's List. I decided to try something new. I went over to Backpage.com.

Immediately, I felt sad. There were no writing gigs under Backpage.com. However, there was a job offering for a front desk agent at a hotel in the Hillcrest area.

HAS TO BE

I did not show up for work that Monday at Retailo Techo. Oh, I showed up for work. I just did not show up there.

My feet brought me in front of Mo, my co-worker. She looked up surprised to see me. She was also glad to be there when I quit.

That day I had started to train to be a front desk agent at...what we will call Hotel S. They were willing to take a chance on me and give me work. Meanwhile Retailo Techo would rather not work me, knowing I need the money. It was a no-brainer.

***

I looked at the new schedule at the Family Restaurant. My forehead wrinkled up. I had gone from three days a week down to one day.

My thoughts? Didn't I just leave Retailo Techo for this very reason? Now the Family Restaurant was doing this?

It bugged me. As one crisis was over, another one rose up to take its place. I've been there for a year so...what was this? I knew that the restaurant was trying to save on labor...however, the hours I was working...went to a newbie.

Again...no brainer. I knew what was being said...without being said.

I walked out of the restaurant. My mind was completely calm. I would be looking for employment elsewhere.

I had a BA in English. I should not have to be struggling like this at all. Whether I'm using it in the field or not, I'm qualified to do several things.

So honestly, I guess there is no point to having one if you cannot get a better job...which was the point of going to college...enduring debt...in the first place. Right then, my friends Lee and M are going to college. I just wanted to tell them not to bother.

I waited outside the library the next day. As usual the patrons were all in line, hoping to be the first to get on a computer. I also hoped to be one of them.

Having a degree was not about just getting a better paying job. It was about knowledge. It was about knowing that I do have the skills to fit in somewhere. All I had to do was find it. One day I will.

Until then...bills had to get paid. And as the library doors opened, my feet moved forward. I had a job to find.

Diego (look! it's the return of comments!)



 

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