Job Hunting In A Depression

So many Americans are (and have been) unemployed.  We hear these words being thrown around like "recession" and for the most part none of us really understand the political parts to this whole we call the USA. What's the difference between a recession and a depression? If you ask me there are a lot of middle and lower class households that are pretty depressed every time they look at their bank accounts or see the mountain of bills that continue to pile up on their tables.

I know how many people love our president; I'm one of them, however, despite the fact that there have been quoted "thousands of jobs created", why are so many people without work? It baffles my mind that people with degrees are still struggling to find work. Moreover it seems that in a world filled with technological advances, those who are a bit more analog than they are digital are being laid out to die in the upheaval of limited employment opportunities.

Let's face it, if you're 30 and up with no degree and no experience in a technological field you're pretty much a fossilized worker. It is often said that technical trades are an insured way to stay employed as many of our plumbing, electrician, and masonry workers are all of a preceding generation and in desperate need of recruitment.  So I guess you can go to a trade school, learn how to lay some pipe, and venture off looking for plumbing work and be fulfilled unclogging someones drainage.

But what if you're in a position (like most) where a technical trade is just not something you can or want to do for the rest of your life? You have drive and passion and are looking for a truly satisfying career path. Most would say "go back to school!!" Then you realize that in order to go to school, even a community college, you need a small fortune or be willing to go into a small fortunes worth of debt! Other's say "get what you can to pay the bills!" But do you really want to spend the rest of your life JUST working to pay bills?!


I hope you didn't think that this blog was going to have the answer because BAAAAAAABY it doesn't!  This problem is more than me or the Jaye Spot can even FAKE to solve. However I can say that in my experience things work out the way they are meant to; sometimes with a little extra push from...you guessed it...OURSELVES! I know first hand that drive and passion don't pay the rent, if it did I'd have SEVERAL houses!!! Yet you have to be willing to stay true to yourself and not get caught in a job that simply allows you to work to live. Sure we have responsibilities but who said that we had to settle for less than what we're worth or capable of?

As hard as the job hunt is out there today, this may be the time where going back to school IS the answer or to start a business that you've always wanted to start. We know that EVERYTHING has some type of cost attached to it but if that's the case then  God/the universe/whatever has to supply the provision for what you're meant to do, right? Hey they could be simply waiting for your to get off your ass and actually do SOMETHING!!!! In all my days I've never seen a parked car go ANYWHERE!!! Even if in the wrong direction it's able to make a few turns to get back on track but first and foremost the engine has to at least be on.

We may be in a recession (or depression) but I do believe that with all of the advances that many of us don't understand we have all we need to make things happen for us. We're in a time where it's very much a "do it yourself" kind of world.  So why not go out there and throw irons in every fire to see which one truly lights up?!

But I Don't Want A "Regular Job"...

Life has a way of showing you exactly where you need to be. It has ebbs and flows that teach, comfort, crush, rebuild and eventually make you someone to remember when you're gone. There are so many quotes on how we should live life; how we shouldn't allow life to live us, but what do you do when everything you have worked for, striving for, and hoping for hasn't happened yet? What life do you have then? Can you really call it a life?

So many of us are searching for our paths; we're looking for someone important to be but we often get hit with real life situations such as unemployment, homelessness, untimely children, horrible marriages and relationships, and are forced into doing what the majority of people do: get a "regular job".

All my life I've worked toward becoming successful in the entertainment industry. I've been singing since birth, acting all my life, and I'm a trained dancer to boot. I'm a regular Gene Kelly (lol). I've recorded songs and albums, did a few good stage plays, had a few guest spots on TV talk shows but nothing REALLY ever picked up. Well into my twenties, with the help of a great friend, I decided to create my own online radio talk show and blog. It was the best move I could have made! My personality shined through and people started to take notice of my talent and worth in the industry. More acting jobs are coming my way and of course I'm ALWAYS going to be singing SOMEWHERE. I'm nowhere NEAR where I'd like to be in my life, specifically financially, but I'm holding on to what I believe to be right for me. I'm doing what feels good and most importantly doing what fulfills me. It's actually working itself out. I may go through some hard times but sticking to my dreams and following my heart got me to a place of calm and peace that you don't find in other places and/or jobs.

The reality is I still need a day job. That hasn't changed...YET! Everything I do is with the mindset that my business and brand is going to become my state of living. I hold on to the knowledge and belief that I can and at some point WILL have the career I see myself having. What would have happened to people like Denzel or Ben Franklin or Obama had they listened to those in life who said:

"This is just a dream, get over it and get a REAL job." 

"That's nice but you should really give up that hobby." 

"You're not making any money so why continue to do it?" 

"Are you ever going to get out of the clouds?"

Now let's be real; some things just aren't possible. If you're 50 years old and decide you want to be a gymnast then you're probably going to be a bit disappointed when you start looking for a trainer and no one takes you seriously. However, for those who want to be actors, writers, dancers, choreographers or WHATEVER isn't just a hum drum dead-end job that you hate and you're GOOD at it, go do it!!! 

Never give up on your dreams. There's not one person alive who has been successful or who has gone down in history that got there by listening to the people who told them they couldn't do it. BE the person you want people to model after and BECOME the greatness that you feel is inside of you.