<p>The guy at an engineering company got back to my son and he wants to arrange a meeting to go over a small contract. I have the feeling that this contract is just a test that they give to students that they want to hire part-time. He’s interested in it but the hard part is in what to ask for - the manager wants to know what his rate is. From our perspective, the experience in doing industry work is more valuable than the pay. The work would be over the internet which is nice for a college student as they don’t have to deal with transportation issues or working during a particular time. It would be a good opportunity to see what setting up a small business is like (I did this when I was in my mid-20s with a friend).</p>
<p>I’m seeing a moderate number of jobs go by - they don’t pay much and they’re looking for part-time students or interns. Our son already has an internship for the summer but he could do contracting from up in Maine at night.</p>
<p>Our state is catching up with the rest of the country in terms of unemployment rate. Hopefully we bottom late this year or early next year.</p>
<p>I remind our son to take advantage of opportunities that come his way as they can provide an edge when looking for full-time work during senior year. I’ve also asked him to rearrange his course schedule next year so that he is able to graduate in 3 years should a great opportunity come by.</p>
<p>The thing about teaching jobs is that if you are not a math/science or special ed teacher, and have some geographic preferences, it is not easy to find a teaching job. A history or English teacher who wants to be in New England – not so good.</p>
<p>If you’re male, into science and engineering and want to work in an inner city school, you probably have a good shot at it. Boston and New York City were at the hiring fair at my son’s school last fall. It will be interesting to see if they’re back for this spring’s fair.</p>
<p>That’s not the case here in Silicon Valley.
Front page of today’s San Jose Mercury says " Tech jobs cuts pick up steam…Valley is hit hard in early '09; more layoffs are expected."</p>
<p>As of May 2009, I will have completed my degree. In English.</p>
<p>I did not have the opportunity to do an internship; most of the ones in my intended field are non-paid, and I absolutely couldn’t (and can’t) afford to work full-time for nothing, especially in the Bay Area. My intended field – publishing – is ugly for hiring at the best of times, so it looks like I’ll be taking a few years to pursue other fields.</p>
<p>Personally, I’m optimistic. It may be hard and I may have to take jobs I don’t want in places I don’t want, but I’ve always been an adventurer at heart: new places, new things, new people, these are all very energizing for me! That probably explains why I’ve lived in 23 different homes (not entirely my idea, but that was my childhood), taken classes at 6 different colleges, and had jobs doing everything from bagging groceries to selling books to teaching children about the native habitat of leopard geckos.</p>
<p>Statistics don’t worry me. In the scope of it, 10% is 1 in 10. I don’t have to be that 1 of those 10. Maybe my path is going to go a little further off course than I had planned, but maybe the place I go will lead me somewhere I’ll love but otherwise would have missed.</p>
<p>Or maybe not. I’m not adverse to flipping burgers to pay rent!</p>
<p>I realize I’m in an unusual position. My father, who is a very specialized contractor, has been out of work for 4 months now. Finding a new job for him in his field is extremely difficult – there are only 10-15 companies in the world that hire people doing what he does. But he’s been out of work before (his industry was hit hard after 9/11) and we’ve always found a way to make things work.</p>
<p>Good for you, Undecided! We’ve always stayed optimistic, and things have worked out fine. Even when DH was laid off 5 days before our second child was born! We’ve even been on unemployment a couple of times. Now we’re busier than we ever have been, and going on vacation to Mexico next week. The down times just make us appreciate it more when we’re busy!</p>
<p>D #2 is graduating in May and has no job, is taking a trip to the Colorado Rockies (she is a geology major) & will look for something after her trip. </p>
<p>Since the health insurance laws have changed, she cannot be thrown off our health insurance policy. That is something to be thankful for! If she doesn’t find anything at least she will be our dependent for 2009 as she was in school for over 5 months! </p>
<p>I am sure it will all work out! We haven’t put any pressure on her!</p>