Long term unemployed and scared to death

[bklyncowgirl]

I've been out of work for almost a year now. I just started my second unemployment extension. Before that I worked steadily for over thirty years. Now most Republicans and a few disgraceful Democrats in Congress voted to sharply curtail extended unemployment benefits.

I'm one of those people who's too young to retire and too old to hire. I've pretty much given up the idea that I'll be able to get a full time job in my field. I'm holding out for part time. Because my husband is close to the point where he'll be eligible for retirement benefits from his (thankfully) secure job with the city of New York, moving out of state is pretty much out.

I've followed the shenanigans of our elected representatives for most of my life with some amusement. Right now, for me and thousands if not millions like me, it's personal. Will the president and the Democrats in the Senate stand up for the long term unemployed or will they run true to form and fold like the cheapest of cheap cameras?

The silence coming out of Congress on this issue is deafening. I'm scared.

[rox63]

1. There are a lot of people out there like you

Not all of them have spouses with good retirement plans. One of my good friends is 63 and was laid off a few months ago. She was hoping to work until age 70, so she could get the max Social Security benefit. She is single, owns her own home, and has a small business on the side. (as a dance instructor) But her business doesn't make enough to come close to paying all the bills.

[hedgehog]

2. I so wish there was something I could do for you and for everyone else out of work out

there.

I'm working, but after my first lay-off, I went through three jobs over several years before I got here. I managed a lot of interviews, but I think at least half the places I interviewed are gone now.

Even though I'm working, I don't feel secure. I worry about another lay-off. I also worry that my boss at the first place has blacklisted me. He doesn't like me at all, and he knows most of the other people who might hire me. I can imagine a potential employer calling up his buddy, and then I'm toast. Nothing in writing of course. He really is that malicious.

[librechik]

3. It might be time to think about changing fields

and get training in some area where there are lots of jobs for willing folks, like health care and elder care especially. Certified nursing assistants are very much needed and it takes only a few weeks to get certified, and sometimes training is free at the hospital or clinic or nursing home.

If you don't like the close personal contact there are tons of administrative positions in medical offices. Admissions clerks for example don't need a whole lot of medical technology or background to enter people's info when they come in to the hospital. And if you are good with computers, all medical sites d need network managers and software dweebs.

also, if you work for a government funded hospital or clinic, they can't discriminate against you due to your age.

Just an idea. And you are helping people, so it's politically correct!

[BeHereNow]

4. Also- due to the severe lack of funding in schools,

There is a growing need for people to work with special needs students.
Parents who can afford it are turning to private agencies to hire aides who
attend school with their children and care for them until the parents get home
from work. The demand is high- especially for people who can work with autistic individuals.

BHN

[librechik]

5. yeah, in fact Special Needs and Science Teachers are like a guaranteed job anywhere in the country

but it takes a while to get certified--I bet teaching assistants in the Special Needs field are really in demand and don't need the heavy class load of becoming a licensed teacher to qualify (pretty low pay, though, for what you have to do) But it's something...

Schools in general are a often great sources for jobs for people without college degrees--the diet aids, reading assistants, drivers-lots of possibilities with benefits if it's a public school.

[BeHereNow]

7. Actually- the pay from private agencies is excellent.

Public, not so much- but because the schools cannot provide
qualified aides, they must allow the private agency workers
to work in the schools. And the pay is much better than what
the schools offer.
No way in HELL would I consider working in Science or Sp. Ed.
in a public school, all of which are being run like corporations at this point,
with administrators who are trained to keep the staff in terror.
Private agencies are the ones to work for these days.
BHN

[HockeyMom]

6. That is what I do

It has gotten VERY competitive now. I have been doing this for about 10 years and have a degree. The private schools in the NYC area are paying $9/hour for an aide with NYS TA certification and $11/hour for a teacher also with NYS certification. NO BENEFITS with these schools. I have applied to dozens and not one single call.

The same is true for the non-profits for developmentally disabled adults. but at least the non-profits give very good benefits, IF you can get the job.

What amazes me is how LOW their salaries are. I cannot believe that the salaries in Florida are now higher than in the NYC metro area. Are they nuts?

Babysitting wages for adults with college degrees?

[BeHereNow]

8. Look for a private agency.

Trust me, the pay is WAY more and the conditions much better.
If you have experience and a college degree, your chances of
getting a gig is great.
BHN

[librechik]

10. exactly--the hell bent push by Greenspan and the Fed to suppress wages across the board

is working very very well. It's so sad and pointless, except to keep the rich rich

http://www.thenation.com/section/US-Federal-Reserve ("Retire Father Greenspan&quot

[bklyncowgirl]

11. Thanks for the support. Definitely considering going into a new field.

I'm a librarian with a masters degree and 25+ years in public libraries--most in an administrative position. The public sector is just about dead. I'm still applying to everything that comes up but it's increasingly unlikely I'll get anything any time soon.

I've been hoping to start my own business, figured it would take about a year until it was up and actually making money. I was counting on Unemployment to get me through. Best of all would to get a decent paying part time job as a librarian and continue working on the business. Things are just too precarious now.

At any rate there are many people who are in worse shape than I am. The priorities of this country never cease to amaze me. At this point I am finding myself hating these Republican lackeys of the 1% and those so called Democrats who voted along with them.

[ellisonz]

9. The economy is just rotten right now.