I've been trying to find a job, and in this economy, it's been hard.
I'm not here to criticize potential employers or anything like that.
For me, I don't understand a lot of the hiring process. I don't understand how I'm too qualified for a position, when I would gladly take a lower pay. But, I still don't get a job. Also, in my job hunting, there are some jobs that pay far too much for what they are, and I feel like that is one of the major problems in America currently.
You can have an individual with a GED, working at a factory, and their only job is to tighten a certain bolt when the part gets to their position in the assembly line. Yet, they'll get at least $15 an hour. I worked at Amazon for one Christmas season for some extra money, and I got $13.50 to push a cart and put books and/or c.d.s on a shelf for 8 hours a day. It wasn't more than a $7.50 (and that's being generous) type of work, yet because I worked an earlier shift than most people, I got to have a higher pay.
It's not that I'm on some rail against the current system of employment out of anger, it's just simply something I feel that is frustrating to all individuals who are qualified and looking for a job. I'm not asking for a free job (although I wouldn't turn it down, haha) but I just think that most individuals in a position of employers to think about who you're hiring, and try and make a long term judgment.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
5 books to read this summer
There are my 5 favorite books, and after reading Jane Beshear's summer reading list for Kentucky youth, I decided to list the 5 books to spend your time reading this summer. Also, I'm not really sure why I'm making a list, because I know people don't read this. Heck, I'm sure most people don't even know this exists. Oh well, here it goes anyway.
1. A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, by Dave Eggers- My second favorite book of all time. You can take it at surface value as an interesting story and still come away with a good read. One could also delve deeper, into some of the subject matter dealt with, such as the death of a parent(s) and how individuals handle forced maturity.
2. The Old Man and The Sea, by Ernest Hemingway- The single greatest book, or novella if you so choose, that has ever been written. The relationship and commitment between the boy and Santiago is one of the best in all literature. This book is proof that while it is nice to be able to, you never have to answer to anyone but yourself.
3. The Things They Carried, by Tim O'Brien- I can't take claim for this description, but it's still the best I've ever found. It's from an Esquire.com article about the 75 books every man must read, "No one else has written so beautifully about human remains hanging from tree branches."
4. A Good Man is Hard to Find, by Flannery O'Connor- Although this is a short story, the collection of stories are what makes it beautiful. It ranges from the greed of a parent (The Life You Save May Be Your Own), the brutality of a murderer (A Good Man is Hard to Find) and the naively beautiful attempt at salvation and escape (The River). If one of the stories doesn't touch you, then nothing can.
5. For Whom The Bell Tolls, Ernest Hemingway- I hate to double-up on a single author, but Hemingway is my favorite author. Expertly written with exquisite detail, a great story of a young man with a universal lesson: Even when you know the outcome, and even when that outcome isn't what you want, you press forward, you keep going.
If by any chance, someone comments on this, let me know what you think. Suggestions? What are your must read books that I missed? And, if you've read any of these, what is your opinion on the books?
Take care.
note: Honestly, I could fill a reading list entirely of Hemingway and Eggers, and if you pick up anything that either has written, you can't go wrong. But, that's only my opinion.
1. A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, by Dave Eggers- My second favorite book of all time. You can take it at surface value as an interesting story and still come away with a good read. One could also delve deeper, into some of the subject matter dealt with, such as the death of a parent(s) and how individuals handle forced maturity.
2. The Old Man and The Sea, by Ernest Hemingway- The single greatest book, or novella if you so choose, that has ever been written. The relationship and commitment between the boy and Santiago is one of the best in all literature. This book is proof that while it is nice to be able to, you never have to answer to anyone but yourself.
3. The Things They Carried, by Tim O'Brien- I can't take claim for this description, but it's still the best I've ever found. It's from an Esquire.com article about the 75 books every man must read, "No one else has written so beautifully about human remains hanging from tree branches."
4. A Good Man is Hard to Find, by Flannery O'Connor- Although this is a short story, the collection of stories are what makes it beautiful. It ranges from the greed of a parent (The Life You Save May Be Your Own), the brutality of a murderer (A Good Man is Hard to Find) and the naively beautiful attempt at salvation and escape (The River). If one of the stories doesn't touch you, then nothing can.
5. For Whom The Bell Tolls, Ernest Hemingway- I hate to double-up on a single author, but Hemingway is my favorite author. Expertly written with exquisite detail, a great story of a young man with a universal lesson: Even when you know the outcome, and even when that outcome isn't what you want, you press forward, you keep going.
If by any chance, someone comments on this, let me know what you think. Suggestions? What are your must read books that I missed? And, if you've read any of these, what is your opinion on the books?
Take care.
note: Honestly, I could fill a reading list entirely of Hemingway and Eggers, and if you pick up anything that either has written, you can't go wrong. But, that's only my opinion.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
When I was fresh out of high school, I felt that I most needed to get away from home in every capacity, the least of those being distance. So, I went away to college. I made plenty of good friends during my year there (I would like to keep the college unknown to anyone possible, to avoid any conflicts that may arise from this post).
However, regardless of the friends I did or didn't make, I did not perform academically. When I transferred out, I had 4 total credit hours coming with me. Any actual class I took, I failed. I failed either because I gave up or simply didn't try. I'm no longer ashamed of those F's on my transcript, I gained just as much from them as I have any other grade.
In the Spring, roughly around the middle to late part of March, I had a meeting. I was publicly taken out of class by a dean, and taken to the office of The President. He sat me down and asked me my opinion about college. Some things I forget easily, some things I'll remember for the rest of my life.
The following is as close to exact as I can remember our conversation.
President: What do you think about college? Do you like it? Do you think you should be in college?
Me: It's not bad, different than I expected. I think I'm fine being here.
President: Well, I think you might be wrong on that last part.
Me: What do you mean?
President: You'll never be successful in college, and honestly I don't think you should have ever enrolled. You were never ready, and I can honestly say that I don't think you will ever be ready. Have you ever given much thought to the military?
Me: Umm, not really...
President: You should. Some people aren't capable of making something of themselves and contributing to society. I think you'd fit in well on the front lines in Iraq or Afghanistan. Even if you don't join the military, I just don't think you need to be in college. You're just wasting your time and other peoples time as well.
Me: Okay?
President: Don't you have anything better to say to me than that?
Me: I'm not really sure.
President: Well, I am not surprised by that. We're finished here, please see your own way out.
Me: Okay. Bye.
**Please note that this happened before I came to Lindsey Wilson**
Even to this day, thinking back to that conversation still hurts. Part of it still cuts deep. It may heal completely, but I hope I never forget it.
Here is what I learned from it: People will either encourage you or discourage you. Your distance between you and them is critical. When someone beats you down, there are three possible options to how you react: 1. Let it destroy you from the inside out. 2. Shrug it off and keep going the way you were. 3. Listen, take it all in, learn from it. Don't let it destroy you, let it give you something to build you up. Be committed to proving them wrong.
I'll be the first to admit that my undergraduate career wasn't filled with academic honors, but one thing I do know, is that regardless of G.P.A., I've learned enough about myself, about my world, about people, and about the world. One thing I always wanted to do was to prove my first college president wrong. And, I feel like I've succeeded.
However, regardless of the friends I did or didn't make, I did not perform academically. When I transferred out, I had 4 total credit hours coming with me. Any actual class I took, I failed. I failed either because I gave up or simply didn't try. I'm no longer ashamed of those F's on my transcript, I gained just as much from them as I have any other grade.
In the Spring, roughly around the middle to late part of March, I had a meeting. I was publicly taken out of class by a dean, and taken to the office of The President. He sat me down and asked me my opinion about college. Some things I forget easily, some things I'll remember for the rest of my life.
The following is as close to exact as I can remember our conversation.
President: What do you think about college? Do you like it? Do you think you should be in college?
Me: It's not bad, different than I expected. I think I'm fine being here.
President: Well, I think you might be wrong on that last part.
Me: What do you mean?
President: You'll never be successful in college, and honestly I don't think you should have ever enrolled. You were never ready, and I can honestly say that I don't think you will ever be ready. Have you ever given much thought to the military?
Me: Umm, not really...
President: You should. Some people aren't capable of making something of themselves and contributing to society. I think you'd fit in well on the front lines in Iraq or Afghanistan. Even if you don't join the military, I just don't think you need to be in college. You're just wasting your time and other peoples time as well.
Me: Okay?
President: Don't you have anything better to say to me than that?
Me: I'm not really sure.
President: Well, I am not surprised by that. We're finished here, please see your own way out.
Me: Okay. Bye.
**Please note that this happened before I came to Lindsey Wilson**
Even to this day, thinking back to that conversation still hurts. Part of it still cuts deep. It may heal completely, but I hope I never forget it.
Here is what I learned from it: People will either encourage you or discourage you. Your distance between you and them is critical. When someone beats you down, there are three possible options to how you react: 1. Let it destroy you from the inside out. 2. Shrug it off and keep going the way you were. 3. Listen, take it all in, learn from it. Don't let it destroy you, let it give you something to build you up. Be committed to proving them wrong.
I'll be the first to admit that my undergraduate career wasn't filled with academic honors, but one thing I do know, is that regardless of G.P.A., I've learned enough about myself, about my world, about people, and about the world. One thing I always wanted to do was to prove my first college president wrong. And, I feel like I've succeeded.
In the beginning
I'm starting a new phase in my life, and I felt like this was a good logical choice to mark it.
I've learned lessons on my own, and I've been around some absolutely amazing people who have taught me a lot.
I've learned lessons on my own, and I've been around some absolutely amazing people who have taught me a lot.
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