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I'm not sure what kind of logic you're using, GloriaGrace, but no job is definitely not better than a crappy one. That kind of thinking is just strange.
I'm not sure what kind of logic you're using, GloriaGrace, but no job is definitely not better than a crappy one. That kind of thinking is just strange.
I'm sorry, I made that statement out of context. What I meant was, right now I am unemployed. And honestly, even though my unemployment check is smaller than a salary, I am feeling much better about not teaching in the manner the university I was working for was beginning to force upon me. They had shortened semesters to six weeks and watered down the courses so much that what was being taught was not comparable to a university course in, say science as an example. In addition, they prohibited teachers from going outside their little "canned curriculum." All of this, and they kept raising tuition on students, not sending them the books on time, and holding their financial aid so long that the students in their first courses could not buy the computers they needed (most of the students were very poor) and they would end up flunking the first semester and have to pay to take the classes again. I was not feeling good about this time, so, yes I would rather not work for a company like that (it was a for profit university). In the meantime, this gives me a reprieve, during which I am creating my own work so that by the time my money runs out, I will be in business. I still put out resumes, but there seems to be hiring freeze for online teaching positions, which is good, because I am putting my efforts into my own business.
In light of this conversation, I have "been there; done that" and would not choose to work for those call centers for the reasons many have discussed in this forum.
I am a strong believer in creating our own work vs. being employed. In fact, the majority of my working career, I have managed to make work that keeps a roof over my head and food on the table, etc. Everytime I broke down and took a "job" the end result was the same -- no matter how good you do your work, there is never loyalty from the company. Whether it's standard protocol, such as with call centers that hire to fire or the boss's friend needs a job, or the business is taking a downturn, or someone in the workplace resents you because you know how to do their work too, so they fabricate lies to get you fired -- there has always been some reason that jobs turn out to be dead ends rather than a path to upward mobility.
And so, it makes complete sense. I believe that if we change our educational system, those of us who wish to can learn to make our own work doing things we enjoy and we can work together in harmony, exchanging goods and services, relying less on big corporate moguls who want to turn us into slaves.
No job is better then a bad job. And people who live in "mansions" should be ashamed because some joe lives at the bottom of the hill he built his house on is living in a trailer. Sounds to me like someone missed the memo on a solid work ethic. Ironic, isn't it that those who envy others for what they have really don't want to put forth the effort to have the same things. All the glory without the work.
I once worked at the post office.They locked all doors for postal employees safety just in case a ex postal employee decided to go postal. We always laughed because they locked all the nuts inside. Food for thought.
Pam
I am a strong believer in creating our own work vs. being employed.
That's good, but right now you're doing it on the taxpayer's dime. I imagine they're not too happy about that. For the rest of us in the real world, we have to continue our education, create our own job, or whatever else we want to do in this world WHILE holding down a job that pays the bills. Seems like you live in some kind of fantasy world.
I agree with the notion that working for someone else is often very limiting. Granted, being the CEO of say, Goldman Sachs, is pretty lucrative even if you do have to be called unethical by a couple of hypocrites and then grilled for four hours on national television.
But most of us do work in dead-end jobs and yes, sometimes it is better to quit than be eaten alive. I understand. However, it is nice to eat, too.
Yes, Jab, this is the real world. I've been working for myself for a bit now and will be soon opening a family business. But I have to admit that if it were not for a very large sum of family money most of this would not be happening.
Gloria Grace: a bit of advice. Get yourself a business model. Visit your local SCORE office. There are retired local business folks that will show you how to get started.
No job is better then a bad job. And people who live in "mansions" should be ashamed because some joe lives at the bottom of the hill he built his house on is living in a trailer. Sounds to me like someone missed the memo on a solid work ethic. Ironic, isn't it that those who envy others for what they have really don't want to put forth the effort to have the same things. All the glory without the work.
I once worked at the post office.They locked all doors for postal employees safety just in case a ex postal employee decided to go postal. We always laughed because they locked all the nuts inside. Food for thought.
Pam
I'm not sure what your message is, exactly. And you are using Joe's name in vain (like God's name in vain) kind of a thing. There are a lot Joe's in the world who might be offended.
I honestly do not think that all of the people at the top of the hills necessarily worked hard to get there. As the saying goes, it is so often who you know or it can be inheritance that has been passed down through history (like former slave owners who made a fortune off slaves and passed on the property and riches to their relatives). Granted, there are no doubt some who worked hard to get there, but I would not generalize that. Thus, I would not automatically assume that everyone at the top of the hill made it there because of hard work. By the same token, many people in trailers have worked very hard to get nowhere. Why is that?
I am not sure what you are saying. It sounds like you are making gross generalizations -- or are you being ironic and making a statement against such generalizations? Please clarify. And the example of working for the post office is really confusing....if all the nuts were locked inside and you were one of them working there....well, I just don't get it. What are you saying?
I agree with the notion that working for someone else is often very limiting. Granted, being the CEO of say, Goldman Sachs, is pretty lucrative even if you do have to be called unethical by a couple of hypocrites and then grilled for four hours on national television.
But most of us do work in dead-end jobs and yes, sometimes it is better to quit than be eaten alive. I understand. However, it is nice to eat, too.
Yes, Jab, this is the real world. I've been working for myself for a bit now and will be soon opening a family business. But I have to admit that if it were not for a very large sum of family money most of this would not be happening.
Gloria Grace: a bit of advice. Get yourself a business model. Visit your local SCORE office. There are retired local business folks that will show you how to get started.
Thank you, Dear. I really do appreciate the advice. It sounds like you relate quite well to my situation. I have not been so fortunate as to have money and always have to bootstrap my way up, which puts me at a disadvantage right from the git-go, but this is not insurmountable. And this time I plan to rise above it and actually go somewhere with my business.
SCORE has a lot of great resources and volunteers; I have sought their advice in the past -- thank you for the reminder; I will check them out online and find out if they have a local office. The support and advice would be wonderful.
In relation to a model, I am building my own model because there really is no model for what I am doing in education. My dissertation, which I am currently working on and will be completing over the next year or so, will be developing and demonstrating the model. It is all based on the theory that was formulated by the author I keep mentioning who was born in some small Appalachian community (I will need to find out where) and then moved and grew up in Kingsport. He was a true genius and his work will be monumental for changes in education -- even if his name is just "Joe." He was such a great person, and really did just go by Joe even though he had a PhD and was a professor. He did not want people to call him professor or "Dr."
I wish you the best with your family business. I would love to see more families pulling together with businesses. Maybe we can return to having those mom and pop stores and such. That would be great! Best wishes in you endeavors! I hope your business goes well.
That's good, but right now you're doing it on the taxpayer's dime. I imagine they're not too happy about that. For the rest of us in the real world, we have to continue our education, create our own job, or whatever else we want to do in this world WHILE holding down a job that pays the bills. Seems like you live in some kind of fantasy world.
Excuse me, but don't you realize I AM a taxpayer and always have been? I would not even be able to collect unemployment had I not paid my taxes!!! And not only that, if you read some of my other posts in this very same forum, I am continuing my education as we speak. I am working on my dissertation, the final leg of my journey to a PhD. It is the "ticket to ride." Once I can put PhD behind my name I will be holding all of the Aces. Or at least that's the "reality" behind the "American Dream."
We all live in our own "fantasy worlds." Whose reality is the "right" reality? That is a very good question to think about.
I am so grateful for all my "crappy jobs". There were about 40 years of em. Why, am I so grateful? Because I do not have the stresses that many other retirees have. Many complain of boredom, a feeling of worthlessness, feeling isolated and lonely. Some are so miserable that they are thinking about looking for another job just to have something to do and to regain their self worth.
Me, on the other hand, I am giddy with happiness. No more rush hour traffic, no more tons of tedious tasks to stimulate my mind, no more co-workers to gossip with about the weird guy or gal who sits over in the corner and then there was the despised person who seemed to get all of the boss's attention. Of course, there was always that person who never seemed to wear deodorant. No more dealing with the controller of the thermostat who caused you to freeze in the winter and burn up in the summer. It was always good to keep gloves, boots and a fan at your desk at all times. Nope, don't miss my co-workers.
Now, the pats on the back were always nice. It made you feel so worthwhile and important. That is until you realized it was not leading to a raise. It had been 2 years since you had a raise, and you were so deserving. Now you were going to have to gain the courage and ask for a raise. About 6 months later and many sleepless nights thinking about how you were going to approach the boss, you finally had the courage to proceed. After whining about how hard times were, the boss finally promised you a raise. You eagerly ripped open each paycheck looking for the raise. Finally, about a month later, there it was. But, where? The raise was so miniscule, that it hardly made a difference in the check. Now, you just had to look for another job, but boy were they going to miss you when you were gone. Those were the days!
Now, in the mornings as I sit at my kitchen table slowly sipping my coffee and gazing at Bay's Mountain, I give a little thanks to all of my "crappy jobs". Don't miss any of you at all.
Seriously, I was very lucky and fortunate to work most of the time. I did experience some short term lay-offs, but was always able to put a roof over our heads and food on the table. I am grateful for that.
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