Assume you're an unemployed 32-year-old man living in this horribly depressed economy. For the 3 and half years prior to your unemployment, you worked under the title Graphic Designer, but the vast majority of employers looking for graphic designers are looking for people with more skills and experience than yourself. And unfortunately, this is the only professional experience you have. So thus far, your job search has gotten you only 3 interviews for shitty jobs that weren't even worth your application and a slew of rejection letters. Do you continue your exhaustive search, hoping you'll be lucky enough to find work identical to what you were doing before that requires only your very limited skills and experience, or do you accept futility and consider other options? I mean, you're kind of over graphic design anyway, right? Oh but wait, do you *have* other options? Do you have any transferable skills? Do you have any fucking options at all? This is my situation.
I could go on about all of the opportunities that I've blown over the past 10 or so years, but I'll just concentrate on now. What now? My money will probably run out within 3 months, and I have a medical condition that requires regular maintenance, so the need to find a financially viable job with good health coverage is rather pressing. Lately, I've been looking at state jobs, because the benefits are great, and the skills and experience you need for some of those jobs, particularly trainee positions, are little to none, especially if you have a bachelor's degree. Unfortunately, those opportunities are not near as plentiful as those for well established professionals, and applying for those sorts of jobs usually means being put on an eligibility list and waiting indefinitely for someone to call you when something comes up. I've looked at federal jobs as well, but the federal government's requirements are quite a bit more stringent. The only other thing I'm considering is entering a training program to teach in Baltimore public schools, but I need to give that a lot of thought before committing. What else should I consider? Health coverage is my greatest concern. I suppose I can accept marginal pay, as long as there's room for growth and I'm not working for the same shitty wage 6 months from hire. God, I sound desperate. I only hope I'm not left with the only option of moving back into my parents' house, far away from any of my friends or cultural enlightenment, in a town where the height of excitement is eating a bowl of gumbo, until I uh, you know, figure things out. A 32-year-old man should not have to do that. Most 32-year-old men figured things out a long time ago.
I'd love to hear your suggestions, success stories, etc. Help me. I'm a smart, capable man. Tell me it's gonna be okay! I've been unemployed since the the beginning of April. Before I snap and attempt some sort of heist, please help.
