www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Lost, worried and looking for advice

Thank you Alice. Thank you all for caring enough to write to me. God bless.

ALICE:

Actually, I was teaching "cons." NOT.

BOB

James,

I think many people across the country are facing the very same problem as you. Don't take it personally. The economy is going to get worse, it terms of job loss, before it gets any better. I do think www.catholicjobs.com [catholicjobs.com] is a good place to look. My company, here in Colorado, has a few jobs posted there. The downside is having to drive all the way to Denver for Divine Liturgy. Many dioceses have jobs posted on their websites and they don't advertise elsewhere - be sure to check those out. I will keep you and your family in my prayers, poor as they are.

Ditto to what Abby said.

Prayers!

James,

First of all, congratulations on your babies! I'm sure you've noticed that they've brought you into a whole new phase in your life.

I would be very practical here. Your first responsibility is to your family. At this point, you don't necessarily need something that pays well, you just need something that pays regularly. Since you are not the sole source of income, you have some flexibility. This isn't the time to look for your dream job. If you can get by working part time, maybe that will give you the flexibility you need so that you can continue pursuing the career that you are looking for, or even continue with your work at the radio station. I know you don't want to take just any job, but it might be the time to do just that. Consider jobs such as customer service (often sales jobs are disguised as customer service, though), retail, construction (if there are any construction jobs in your area). I know you spent a long time in college and want a job in your field, but you might have to wait a while for that. In the meantime, there are other things that can support your family.

I think the suggestions you have received about finding government work are excellent, but government jobs often take time to get. You can still be working in another field while looking for the ideal job.

Elizabeth

IgnatiusBenedict,

I used to work for the Knights of Columbus as a field agent, which basically entails selling their insurance to members and starting new councils.

If you are a good salesman, then it can be very satisfying. You only work with Catholic men and their families, and a lot of the profits go to Special Olympics and related charities.

There are few great salesmen (I wasn't), so I can almost guarantee you that there are openings wherever you are. Many folks do it for 30-40 years, so the possibility of success is there.

On a related note, the non-Catholic business world is indeed an entirely different place. The materialism and vanity in commercial insurance was never in the Knights. It's probably the same in other industries. Too bad there aren't more Catholic businesses.

Good luck!

JAMES:

Christ is Risen!!

Elizabeth has a gem of advice here. My son-in-law spent five years AFTER he graduated before he found the job in his field that he has now. In the meantime, he worked an eBay store, worked part-time, worked evenings at a bank customer service phone job, and other things to keep the bills paid.

A man in my parish about mid-50s has been out of work for two years and finally got himself a part time job doing yard work. Not a lot, but something. He intends to find another part time job and another if necessary to keep the roof over his head.

In this economy you do what you have to do.

Do you have any skills? There are always elderly people that have one room that need painting but who can't get a painting contractor to take such a small job. How about lawns now that it's summer? Wash windows? Clean houses? (Merry Maids?)

BOB

I guess I have it good...being in healthcare I've never been jobless, plus as nurse I know I'm helping people. IgBen, have you checked openings at local medical centers? A large number of jobs in hospitals aren't directly patient care related; most folks never think of looking at hospitals.

This is an excellent idea. Our field agent locally makes a good living and really enjoys his job. They sell a good product and it is something that people want. As a bonus, you get to meet a lot of good Catholic families.

One more thing about finding the job you want...

Do lots of networking. Go to talks at Catholic churches. Meet people. Volunteer. Join the Knights of Columbus and be active. Let all of these people know your situation. It might not pay off immediately, but when something comes up, these people, who already know you, will think of you.

Hi James,

I just would like to say that you have the responsibility to provide for your family.

THAT is the way God is calling you to serve Him and His Church, by being a good husband, a good father and part of those responsibilities include providing for the material needs of your family.

I am not saying fulfilling this responsibility has to be exclusively your duty. Obviously your wife has been doing her part and that is OK, of course.

The point I am trying to make is that just as you believe corporations out there have a very high standard about the employees they want to hire, you also seem to be a little "picky" in the jobs you are willing to take.

While I would never advise you to take a job that would compromise your moral integrity, I would strongly suggest that working for a corporation other than the Church is morally good and can be the means through which you answer another one of God's call to service.

Legitimate businesses work for the common good (along with profit for their owners and investors). It services society to be part of that endeavor, and therefore, it services the Church and it services God.

The work we do is part of our Stewardship of God's gifts to us.

Finally, do not be afraid. Job descriptions can be scary, but if your resume is truthful, I doubt a recruiter will put you in a position that will make you fail. You did pretty well with those fundrasing ticket sales, so you have proof you have talents and skills that will enable you to succeed.

Trust God, and also trust yourself; after all, you are a son of God!

Let us pray for each other.

God Bless!

Shalom,
Memo

What excellent advice!!!

IB:

Speaking of healthcare, are you entitled to veteran's benefits to go to school? Try a job in nursing.

BOB

"I just would like to say that you have the responsibility to provide for your family.

THAT is the way God is calling you to serve Him and His Church, by being a good husband, a good father and part of those responsibilities include providing for the material needs of your family."

I cannot say much more than this, James. I am 28 and have an 8 month old. I would advise you to focus on the fundamentals of the family budget before stretching it to accommodate your vocation desires.

Even if you do not wish to be a capitalist, you could serve others within the field. Charity is in much need. If you apply to be a bank teller, treating a customer like a human person rather than a number can make a deeper impact than what you may think.

I admire your wife. I would like to be a school teacher but I am putting it off to when I can afford the salary.

Terry

Here is something I came across by accident today for anyone that the Holy Spirit might want this to see

..Remember, the New York area is a great place to live with many different types of commuting distance places to live..five different boroughs with many different types of lifestyles to choose from, lots of churches, beaches, culture, and the green suburbs of Long Island and Westchester...

6. Entry-Level Health Care Worker

Where moving is not an issue, employers are nonetheless exasperated by the difficulty of filling jobs when so many people are out of work. Just ask Irina Lutinger, who is at wits' end trying to hire laboratory workers at NYU Langone Medical Center in Manhattan. The senior administrative director for clinical laboratories says 10% of the unionized jobs are unfilled, slowing down patients' lab work. Laboratory technologists earn from the mid-$40,000s to the high $60,000s a year, with good medical benefits and four weeks of vacation. Is that attracting career switchers who want to get retrained and take the licensing exam? Says Lutinger: "We haven't seen it yet here."