I am truly free today. On the surface, I may seem like I need help or assistance. I do not have an employer and I am paying rent each month. But it is not because I lack qualifications or experience. It is instead that I am overqualified for the positions that I find. In 2009, after I first earned my Master's Degree, I thought it would be an instant path to a decent job that would allow me to raise a family. But none of that happened. Instead, I worked retail and various hourly "Quality Control" jobs that challenged me intellectually but did not pay as well as someone with my skillset would get in a fair system.
Perhaps it has been that Master's Degree that scares employers off. They want someone who doesn't have that extra advantage, because they know that I could jump ship as soon as a better opportunity reveals itself to me. But I would not do that. I've stuck with jobs and I don't just quit unless the situation is dire.
My most recent job was awesome, and I have no regrets about anything there. My employers were very kind though also strict, and I appreciated the advice that they gave me. Through my most recent boss, I learned my two greatest strengths. I am "reliable" and a "quick learner". That meant more to me than anything else she had said, because those are two of the most important traits any employee can have. I am rarely if ever late. I used to have trouble making it on time to jobs, especially when I drove down highway 24 to get to Emeryville from Moraga.
But since I've started biking, it's easier to tell how long it will take to get somewhere. No freeway accidents... just potential bad luck with slow Google bikes or bad timing with pedestrians going across the street at the intersection.
That being said... I haven't been employed for almost three months now. But I couldn't be happier. I have come to accept that I can't just be another cog in the machine. My skillset, fairly judged would be worth at least $60,000 yearly. But the jobs that offer those sort of salaries have onerous "experience" requirements and specific demands for classes that I never took, especially when you look at government work.
So I have decided... rather than being in the demand for labor, I will be the supply. I'll admit it... I've always had more wealth than the other kids on the block. But my parents (both mom/dad) would always choose houses that looked like they were in kid-friendly neighborhoods, not fancy houses that would impress others.
I've always been the house on the corner growing up, or the house at the end of the cul-de-sac. And I want to spread my wealth and my knowledge. I am not interested in working in food services or retail anymore. It is time that people took me seriously and followed my lead rather than giving me misguided advice such as "You need to get more education" or "You don't interview well".
First of all, I do interview well, but that's not all it takes. And I have been getting more education. When I couldn't find a good job despite my MA in Demographics, I took it upon myself to learn SQL and C++ even while working at Great America and Google. And then I took Creative Writing and Accounting classes through the City of Santa Clara.
I've played by the rules my whole life. I've done everything the right way. I am free. I am going to be famous and I have no fears and no doubts. Anyone who is here to drag me down or mock me, kindly go away. You know I'm better than you, so instead of dragging me down to your level, try to be more like me!
Perhaps it has been that Master's Degree that scares employers off. They want someone who doesn't have that extra advantage, because they know that I could jump ship as soon as a better opportunity reveals itself to me. But I would not do that. I've stuck with jobs and I don't just quit unless the situation is dire.
My most recent job was awesome, and I have no regrets about anything there. My employers were very kind though also strict, and I appreciated the advice that they gave me. Through my most recent boss, I learned my two greatest strengths. I am "reliable" and a "quick learner". That meant more to me than anything else she had said, because those are two of the most important traits any employee can have. I am rarely if ever late. I used to have trouble making it on time to jobs, especially when I drove down highway 24 to get to Emeryville from Moraga.
But since I've started biking, it's easier to tell how long it will take to get somewhere. No freeway accidents... just potential bad luck with slow Google bikes or bad timing with pedestrians going across the street at the intersection.
That being said... I haven't been employed for almost three months now. But I couldn't be happier. I have come to accept that I can't just be another cog in the machine. My skillset, fairly judged would be worth at least $60,000 yearly. But the jobs that offer those sort of salaries have onerous "experience" requirements and specific demands for classes that I never took, especially when you look at government work.
So I have decided... rather than being in the demand for labor, I will be the supply. I'll admit it... I've always had more wealth than the other kids on the block. But my parents (both mom/dad) would always choose houses that looked like they were in kid-friendly neighborhoods, not fancy houses that would impress others.
I've always been the house on the corner growing up, or the house at the end of the cul-de-sac. And I want to spread my wealth and my knowledge. I am not interested in working in food services or retail anymore. It is time that people took me seriously and followed my lead rather than giving me misguided advice such as "You need to get more education" or "You don't interview well".
First of all, I do interview well, but that's not all it takes. And I have been getting more education. When I couldn't find a good job despite my MA in Demographics, I took it upon myself to learn SQL and C++ even while working at Great America and Google. And then I took Creative Writing and Accounting classes through the City of Santa Clara.
I've played by the rules my whole life. I've done everything the right way. I am free. I am going to be famous and I have no fears and no doubts. Anyone who is here to drag me down or mock me, kindly go away. You know I'm better than you, so instead of dragging me down to your level, try to be more like me!
RSS Feed