Trying to survive in these hard times

As a recent grad from college, and somewhat older than the typical college grad, trying to survive without tearing my hair out is wearing me out.

I started looking for jobs in March, knowing how hard these economical times are, with little to no luck with jobs.



Around April, I did apply for The Press of Atlantic City for a copy editor position. The editor I was emailing was very nice, and it looked promising for this job. However, my copy editing test showed differently, which left me back to square one.



My grammar isn't perfect, but that wasn't the only part of the copy editing test. Part of the test as well was finding information, such as "What happened in 1776?", so which part or parts I didn't do well in, I wouldn't know. I wish I knew what killed it, did I lack certain skills when it comes to identifying certain grammar flaws, or was my research skills lacking in finding the correct information? Who knows?



With that being said, I've applied with zero responses from other editors. I also know I lacked exposure and having clips to send to some of these jobs. With that being said, I finally emailed my current editor at East Providence Post/Seekonk Star. So for the past few months, I've been slowly but surely gaining experience for at least the newspaper part of the media/journalism world. I've definitely have learned some things I would never learn in a classroom. My editor pretty much let's me write whatever I want on the subject manner given to me, which is a blessing and a curse at a same time. There have been moments which I wish had more guidelines, like what the paper wants or the readers want. And other times, I'm glad I'm not forced into writing stuff when I think a story might be better in another direction.



It's not easy for one, but I'm willing to take on challenges. I've had moments of uncertainity, looking at my notes from my interview or interviews, meetings, what have you, and stared at them trying to figure out what the hell the story is about. Like Marty Dobrow, my professor at Springfield College once said, you need to be like the Indian guy, who takes the wood (or was it stone? can't remember), and finds the elephant, and carve out what isn't elephant.



Some of these stories I feel I need to rewrite, they didn't get what they deserved, and others I question what I did write, as supposed to what I should've written. So far, I have made one boo boo with quoting someone, which was both our faults. I misunderstood what he said, and he slightly misspoke. The funny part is, while writing this one particular story, I was questioning myself on his quote too, knowing some of the background of the information he was giving me seemed off. I never majored in science, but I do know enough to know when someone may be off when it comes to information. Lesson learned: If you're not sure, leave it out, or get in touch with the person would made the quote (if possible) and go over it with them to make sure it's right.



I've also ran into issues of not mentioning certain things, one story in particularly because if I had written certain information, this person wouldn't be able to get a job in the industry he wants to be in. So, I had to leave it out of the story. Then there is the issue of people used to a certain writer, and not me. To which people start wondering who I am and why so and so is not writing the story. I just explain that I am writing the article this time around, and try not to roll my eyes in annoyance. But that means that I just need to build my credibility with people who are not used to a new writer. I've learned this particularly in cases of dealing with city council and board members of special groups, who are used to certain reporters coming in to their meetings or other events.



My personal issue with that is, when certain people are used to certain writers, I feel that can potentially lead (not always, but the potential of) to these writers/reporters being manipulated by these people to write what they want them to write. Also, maybe these people learn to manipulate what they say to reporters in order to fill their agenda. It's something I've thought about while being the "newbie" in town as a writer.



While I am aware not everyone is happy about reporters being around them and not wanting to interview, I've run into issues of dealing with drunk people while trying to get information. This happened twice to me, once on my first story to be published, and again on a later article I have written. I actually had a guy say to me while trying to get a quote for a story, that "get back to me when I'm about three or four in, and have been here an hour." Uh, no. I don't interview drunk people, it does neither one of us any good. Oh and being a woman in this industry, I was being hit on by a drunk guy trying to take notes for a story as well, and he started getting paranoid because I had a pen and paper in my hand, as well as a camera.



While this is some of what I learned over the past few months, I'm also dealing with my personal issues. Because I have not gotten a job, I've been scouring over and over again the same websites to find jobs, (beyond Hotjobs and Monster.com, I've been having a better time finding stuff on Mediabistro.com and Journalismjobs.com) even to the point of Craigslist and getting daily emails. However, I am stuck in the worst possible situation to even get a job. Here's why.



I want to work in journalism, anything I don't care. TV, radio, newspaper, magazine, online, whatever. However, I am in the worst state to even look for this kind of job. I'm in the 3rd highest unemployment rate state in the country, tacking that on with the smallest state in the US, which is Rhode Island. The jobs I do find are in other parts of the US. While I don't mind moving, I would need to find a job willing to pay for relocation, and if they do that, I need it upfront. I currently don't have the funds to move anywhere. With this being hard times, I highly doubt any company, no matter how good I am or fit in to their criteria, would hire me because they know they have to pay extra for me to come their way. Quite honestly, I think that's why some of these jobs I have applied for I don't get basically because of my current location. It sucks, but I'm pretty sure that's the reality I'm facing with.



My student loans came in already; I'm in debt over $64,000, not including other debt such as doctor/hospital bills, car loans, insurance and so on and so forth. I'm trying to find a full time job that's even remotely close to what I want to do, even if it isn't journalism. While I am working, my working where I am is hindering me getting experience so I look good to a potential job. I work in retail, which is where I don't want to be. I don't want to do sales, retail, any of that crap. My interning helps with the experience issue, but, it's not paying the bills. I am also a freelance writer for another online place, but it's pay is low, and I haven't made enough for them to even cut a check yet.



I've came to desperation in finding more work, so I decided to go for substitute teaching. However, even though I am all set, I have not been called in, which sucks, because I cut my hours down at Stop and Shop so I am available at any time to teach.



I had the time of my life trying to do this as well. See, I live in Rhode Island, but I'm 15 minutes away from bordering Massachusetts. I wanted to sub in RI, but because I don't have a licensure in teaching (ironically, this was my original plan in life, until I failed the MTEL's by a few points twice, which I said forget it because I couldn't be bothered to pay to fail a test everytime.) I have to obtain (in the state of RI) a substitute teacher's licensure. This costs $50 and I would have to wait 3-4 months to obtain the licensure, then apply for the school district(s) that I want to substitute for. I'm sorry, but I don't understand why to sub you need a license. It's not like I'm actually teaching teaching, I'm just filling in for a day or two here and there. If it were long term substituting, sure, I'd understand. Like if there was a teacher out for a major surgery or pregnancy or something.

So I decided to try Seekonk, MA, and all they want is for you to have a Bachelor's degree (in anything, doesn't matter the subject manner), do a background check and get your transcripts. The pay is a little bit lower, in East Providence, the pay is $90 a day, while Seekonk is $75. But I'm not waiting forever to get approved to sub. The people in the school department were much nicer than the people I dealt with in RI. They seemed happy to have me on board, while the others were pretty nasty and condescending to me.

So this is where my life is now, waiting and more waiting. Bills piling up and no way to pay them. I'm in total of over $85,000 in debt, and making $10.55 an hour for a job I'm well overqualified for now. I've been borrowing and buying books on writing, and ways to sell stories to magazines and what have you to get myself in there.

As far as my loans are concerned, I called the companies to work something out. There's a new program for Federal Student loans, which is income based repayment option. I just applied for that, and I'm pretty sure I'll get it. All you need is your tax returns from the previous year, and fill out the form found on the educational goverment loan site. (http://ed.gov, look for students and follow links for repayment options). For my private loans, the companies I had were able to reduce my payments for two years. One loan company reduced to pay 25% of the original payment for 6 months, 50% for another 6 months, then pay 75% for a year then I'm pay to normal payment options. So while it's near impossible to get private loans consolidated, they at least are willing to work with you.

So, hopefully soon, my luck will change. But for now, I'm dealing with what I got.

Articles I have written recently...

These are my latest articles I have written since July. I will try to post extra photos/videos that did not make the paper. Articles written for the East Providence Post/Seekonk Star.

EP Heritage Festival-July 2009

Four Town Farm-Seekonk 2009

Emmy-award winner Deborah Hoch-Seekonk 2009

Seekonk Remembers 9/11

Seekonk Home Energy Savings

Bodyslam contest for couples wedding

There is one story that's not online that I will put up later. Check it out.

This post will be updated with the latest as I write more articles.

Dealing with a rough time

So you graduated from college with a shitload of debt, and a promise that you would get a better job. Yea right.

It has been a depressing time for lots of people. Especially for new college grads, who just want to get a job, start paying off debt and working their way up.

It doesn't help when I log on to Facebook and everyone is like "need a job" "looking for work" "went for a job interview and didn't hear back".

Me personally, I've been working hard for a long time and I need a break. I've worked retail for nine years, for some reason not getting a management position, but honestly, it's not worth the 25 extra cents an hour for more aggravation. I've written articles, I've volunteered, worked odd jobs and am getting nowhere.

I even did my own special projects just to get more experience in the field of journalism. And currently I'm writing for Eastbay Newspapers to gain more news experience and have clips.

I hope that everyone gets a break, that people will go back to work. But I really need it, because unlike most (keyword: most) of my fellow classmates whose parents make enough to live on, have nice houses and can afford $20 shampoos, and probably have enough savings even for a little while even if something bad happened, I don't.

I have a mother who has two degrees and works at Stop and Shop as a cashier. I have a younger sister trying to go back to school and learning how to deal with her stuff. My father is dead. My grandparents aren't doing well, and unfortunately worth more dead than alive, which is sad. Me, I have experience, not in my field but I've worked continously for nine years. I've worked at least one stable job while working other jobs to make ends meet. I can't have a normal schedule to do what I need to do to get ahead. I want a break. I want one job, one health insurance and a constant schedule. I don't do sales, health care or teach. It costs money to be certified, money I don't have. You have to pass tests and be certified as a CNA, teacher, or CPA.

I help pay bills when I was 16 so I couldn't save money for college, because I was busy supporting a family. Government never gave us food stamps because "we made too much", even though they base applications on "gross pay", although all of us live of "net pay". I took loans out BY MYSELF because my mom's credit was shot. It's not fair. I worked hard all my life. Give me, and the rest of us a damn break. Those who worked their asses off and did all the right things and can't get anywhere. Where's MY TIME? Where is our time? Let the wealthy get a taste of their own medicine, and give the rest of us something.

I'm not trying to complain, but enough is enough. My resume is over a page and a half, for all the work I've done. I'm only 24. I have great experiences. Now I need a great job. I'm really pushing because I want to pay my bills, and give back to the people who were nice to help me out once in a while. Honestly, I feel like I owe people, so it would be nice to have a job that I enjoy, and be able to give back to places like the foodbank or give to someone who gave me $40 when I was short on money.

This economy better pick up quick. I'm tired of seeing my friends needing jobs, as well as myself. I'm tired on hearing and seeing tent cities, foodbank shortages, and job loss numbers. Me and everyone else, are tired. And Wallstreet, start giving your damn bonuses to Main St. You play with numbers, and the debt falls on us.

More on "Choosing Prostitution: Is it a choice?"

This is my article from Examiner.com. Please read this first if you have not already.

Article on Prostitution

This is a comment posted by Jess:

"Read your column with hope. Hoped it’d be insightful, not typical reactionary & biased sex work piece. I was pleased with some but frustrated with more. Yes, some women are forced into it by others THAT IS WRONG! But I chose to pay my way through school doing sex work. I controlled what I did, who I saw, the hours I worked. I could’ve worked 2x or 3x the hours waitressing & had far less study time. I’d have learned less, gotten worse grades, likely not gotten the job I have. It was MY choice and I should have that right! Is it anyone else’s business to tell me I must settle for less because THEY don’t think I should do it my way? No, it’s NOT!! No one should be forced into this but they should be allowed to do so. Eliminate pimps, drugs, violence, force. Not my choice."

I'm going to get into a bit more detail here. Jess chose to do sex work. She chose, she was not forced. But, in a sense, she was forced to do sex work.

In the article, I mentioned money as a factor. To most women money=survival, to some extent correct? Waitressing, for example, is not easy money. Most states, in fact, the minimum wage to pay a waitress is just over $2 an hour, set by restaurant standards, which is completely legal. Next time you go to your local TGI Friday's, Applebee's, or IHOP, ask the waitress/waiter how much they make an hour. They'll tell you. They really do live off their tips.

Some women, despite their best intentions, get caught in a web. They think that once they make enough money, they can end thier career. However, many fall back, from schemes from the people they work with. Sometimes club owners or managers may find ways to keep the women in. Some ways may be legal, that business is booming and they need more help. Other ways are illegal, by possible threats.

It would be really hard to "eliminate pimps, drugs, violence and force." This is why lawmakers want to get rid of the oldest profession or make it illegal. This is pretty much their reasoning to make such laws. Despite what sex workers want, cutting down prostitution would result in less violence. By getting rid of a strip club for example, you would cut out drunk people in a populated area, drugs, property damage, lawsuits for harrassment, police and other costs that when bad things happen, tax payers pay for.

I hope Jess got hope from my article, because what we really need, when you boil it down, is jobs. Jobs women (or really anyone) can work, with different education levels and opportunities. Minimum wage jobs should get higher pay and benefits, because I can promise you as some one who works just over min wage, I don't get paid enough to deal with the crap. However, prostitutes or sex workers feel that if they control the situation, and the flow of money, then any problems that do occur is worth it.

I think if we had better jobs, and better paying jobs, Jess, I don't think you would choose sex work. I'm not saying that even if we made this a better world with my suggestions, that sex work would end. But I don't think Jess grew up dreaming that she would one day be a sex worker. I think she has/had goals, obviously changing over time, of what she wanted to do with her life.

I may have a hard time imagining any woman wanting to ever be a sex worker, but I won't condemn women who do. However, I'm pretty sure if I surveyed all the women sex workers, most would wish they did something else. I know that in a video I watched in my Women and Philosophy class, about 90% of the sex workers wished they didn't have to do their job.

So Jess, I hope you have hope. Unfortunately, while you may be a good story of someone who had a good experience, many women haven't. Every sex worker's story is different of whether or not they were forced. In the end, though, I feel all sex workers are forced, because even though you, for example, chose to do this to pay for your education, the government failed you. If our government cared for it's own people, Jess, you wouldn't have to be a sex worker. You could've been just a student. Although, in a positive note, you may have gained a different insight to life that you would've never seen, and maybe learned more than you could in a classroom. That I don't know.

Jess, I am not picking on you by any means, and I don't think you should ever have to settle. I could spend all day, and probably write a book on this topic. I'm glad you responded, and for your info, and anyone else, I try not to be biased on issues like this, unless I have some arguements or information that is solid.

Growing up as a Christian, Jess, I used to blame prostitutes for their own misfortunes. Over time though, I've learned about the other side of things. Recently, my church decided to be part of the protest over at the RI Statehouse for the human trafficking going on for the children between 11-14 I believe, where there is no law that charges the offender for adult or child.

However, unlike people in my church, I have a better understanding of your situation. While watching The Real World a few years ago, one of the girls was a stripper, and some people had a hard time trying to figure out why she wouldn't get a real job. Which brought a flashback memory for me.

When I was 14, and again at 15, I applied to get a job at McDonald's. I got my work permit and had friends who worked there, so I figured I'd get the job. Both times I never got a call back, and I had an interview with the same manager twice. It wasn't until I was 16 before I got a job at CVS.

Even before this economic crisis, you can't "just get a job" either. Sometimes you apply multiple times, know people and still can't get in. With stripping and prostitution, there are no applications or "knowing people". You just do it, and learn as you go along. And you get paid more.

Even when you work, sometimes you get desperate. Like I said, I couldn't dream going into sex work, but there were times it was tempting because I was financially struggling. I was working three jobs at one point, and help supporting my mom, who also worked. There were days where I was like "just one night, make a shitload of money and call it a day". I even looked at ads and called places to find info.

You can choose how you live your life, but you can't always choose your destiny. Or fate.

Providence Women's Issues Examiner

Hey everyone! I am now the Providence Women's Issues Examiner on Examiner.com

Here is my site

I will be as updated as possible, keep coming back to find out more!

East Providence High School protests against Baptist Church on Gay Rights

Article from WPRI 12

Check out the nutjob from the church in the video:
Clip-East Providence Post


This is my alma mater. So proud of my Townies!

Church Goers Support Torture-I'm Not Surprised

http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2009/05/01/why-are-frequent-churchgoers-more-likely-to-support-torture/#comments