How Far are You Willing to Go to Find Work?
September 21, 2011One of the byproducts of our slumping economy is an unacceptably high unemployment rate. There are literally millions of men and women who are perfectly capable of working, but can’t find employment in their area. In response to this lingering problem, President Obama unveiled his plans for helping reduce the number of Americans that are out of work, known as The American Jobs Act. This is an important first step, but the reality is that regardless of what might come out of Washington to address the issue, it will take years before any real progress is made. In the meantime, families will continue to struggle with making ends meet.
As a man, I am particularly distressed by this issue. For my household, I see my role as a husband and father to be the provider for my wife and children, and to not be able to work would crush me inside. I don’t wish to speak for everyone, but I can’t help but imagine there are many who feel the same way. I wish I had a solution, but for the moment the only thing I can do is ask myself “how far would I be willing to go to find work?” These are just a few things I’ve considered:
Relocating
A recent front page article in the USA Today has suggested that Americans looking for work are now starting to look overseas. The article lists several reasons why, but for a majority of us, the prospect of living in another part of the world is way beyond our comfort level, but what about another part of the country?
This was a personal decision I made several years ago. My family and I use to live in California, and things were going well for a while until my income started to drop. It was a difficult decision at the time, but my wife and I decided that living in a less expensive part of the country was the only solution to my income problem.
Expanding your range
Maybe relocating is not practical (or even possible) at the moment, so I’ve also considered how far I would be willing to commute for work. My brother-in-law works for a construction company in the Bay Area. Depending on where the projects are, he may have to commute up to four hours or more a day. I’m sure he’d rather spend some of that time at home with his wife and daughters, but this is the sacrifice he is willing to make to provide for them.
Working two or more temporary jobs
If I were not able to work in my primary field, would I be able to find temporary work doing something else? Despite the high unemployment rate, there are still plenty of “help wanted” ads online and in the local newspaper. Many of these jobs have nothing to do with my area of expertise, and most certainly would not provide the same level of compensation, but it might be the only option at the time if this is what it would take to provide for the home.
Going back to school
Depending on the severity of the situation, I have also considered the possibility of learning a new trade or skill. Some skills have to be learned on the job, but others may be taught through local technical colleges, or even online. According to this website, three of the top four jobs that are in high demand are in the healthcare field. Search your local want ads to see what jobs are in demand in your area.
There is no quick fix to the unemployment problem, and even these ideas may simply prove not enough, but if there is anything I can do to be a provider for my family, I must at least take it into consideration. I can’t control the government, or the economy, but I can control how far I’m willing to go to work. 🙂