I haven't written on this topic in awhile, so, I have a few new insights to share with you. My last post dealt with my frustration in trying to find a job in my town. Mainly, my frustration stemmed from trying to get a job with our local United Way food bank. I've had to accept the fact that this organization will probably never hire me. It's not because I'm unqualified, it's because I am a man!
That's ridiculous, I can hear you thinking. But stick with me and I'll explain how that is exactly the reason why all my applications, resumes, etc, have yielded nothing, job-wise. I can trace my belief in my assertions to an incident I experienced last fall. Here goes...
After many failed attempts to get an interview at the food bank, I decided that the best way might be to volunteer. So, one fine autumn day I sauntered through the front door of Lift Up, our local food bank, and asked the woman at the desk how to sign up for volunteering. I'll skip the details here, but it was easy, and they were happy to oblige me. I just had to complete a one-page application. I was selected to do "grocery rescue", which involved driving to the loading dock of our local Safeway store, picking up all the stuff to be "rescued" and driving it back to the food bank to be weighed, logged in, and put out on the floor for the clients.
It was easy and fun, and I felt like everyone was part of a team, working together to help the less fortunate in our town. I couldn't help noticing that there were no men working there. There were a few male volunteers, but all the employees were women. There was a middle school aged girl about 13, volunteering for the summer before she started high school. She and I became friends, and I told her it was my intention to get a job here, after I had put in some hours volunteering. She told me she'd keep her ears open, and she heard of any job vacancies, she'd let me know. I need all the help I can get, even if it's from a kid, I thought to myself.
About two weeks later I noticed an ad in the local paper seeking a part-time employee at the food bank. I emailed my resume in, and mentioned that they should have a current application on file. That week, when I came in with my rescued Safeway groceries, my young friend motioned me over, telling me she'd heard something important. She told me that she'd overhead the employed ladies talking about how great it was to work in a "man-free" environment. She then glumly said she thought I'd never get a job there after hearing that comment. I was non-plussed, and realized that this information was just what I had suspected all along.
You may be wondering why I'm telling you this story, and I'll explain. You see, necessity is the mother of invention. I don't know who said that, but it applies to me. I have been forced to recognize that I am at a disadvantage in this current time in history. Being white, educated, middle class, used to be the ticket to success. Not anymore. And I'm not complaining, just to be clear. In fact, I used to be a high school teacher, gainfully employed at Orange County's first Alternative School. I was paid well and respected. But that was twenty-odd years ago, and I've moved on... or out of town, state, and lifestyle, actually.
My life changes have forced me to examine my own skills and motivation. I've always been a reader, and a researcher, only about things that interest me of course. So, my current writing is to begin now, sharing my observations and opinions on life, re-invention, history, music, cats, etc. I've finally come to the conclusion that I am indeed qualified. I'm not an expert in anything, but I can do a lot things well. I'm still learning new things, and as I stumble upon newer tidbits of esoterica, I'll try to write about them. This will be my forum. If you want to comment or add some ideas of your own, go ahead. I'm listening...
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