Completed Employment Ready U!

I have been attending classes at the Minnesota Workforce Center early weekday mornings for two weeks. It is quite a perplexing world to find myself in: The Realm of Unemployment. ( Queue spooky music ) Not something you expect working 7 years for an employer and then get tossed out for... what? Wish I knew, because someone does.




But let's now accentuate the positive. The classes consisted of what used to be classes one would have to individually sign up for such as:

• Creative Job Search
• Networking
  
• Resume
  
• Interviewing
• Money Talks ( Financing )
  
• Stand Where You Land ( keeping your job once you get it - assuming you want to take it)

While many of the items covered may seem simple, they are things we can all learn to improve upon. That was my perspective, and I truly felt it was a challenging course. Challenging if you actually do your homework and realize how much more effort one truly should put into their job search. And gaining insight into the current job market certainly is helpful!

One excellent reason to graduate are the benefits of using their computer lab without the need for waiting in a long line. Another is greater assistance by the class instructors. The benefit that I intend to take advantage of once it is available, is the National Work Readiness Credential. These are considered stackable credentials that are employer-centric skills in math, reading, and problem solving.

If there is anything I have learned from this experience, is that that I should keep all paperwork from employers: awards, certificates, copies of reviews. I should also have supervisors write letters of commendation. Some of these things I had, but "disappeared" from my locker at my former employer while I was appealing to get that job back. But I can't stay mad at the department - they did not make me pay for my uniform I turned in. ( Others have - and wardrobe even told me I still might have had to! )

These classes also serve as part of ones network. If any of my current leads transform into a reality, it will surely make my year! Though it was forced upon me, I have always believed in relocalizing. Just did not intend for my job to do so as soon. :)

Yeasayer coming to Minneapolis

I just found an interesting new band - Yeasayer - an alternative band from Brooklyn. I checked out their video for the single "2080" in between watching Torchwood and Doctor Who. Liked seeing astronauts play baseball on Mars. :D

Anywho, Yeasayer will be playing a free concert in Minneapolis this July - first come first serve. ( The e-ticket is to the right.) I intend to be there early. But you have to print off a special invite coupon from The Current. It's well worth one's time to see these guys! If you can't make it, hope you enjoy the vid!

Unemployment Appeal Letter

At this point, I was several weeks into unemployment. I had received no income. I had to wait until I won my appeal case. There was no guarantee I would win an appeal.

Lawyers from the law firm Olson, Allen, & Rasmussen were actively searching my blog. What did they expect to find? They spent hours a day surfing my blogs. I hope they decided to send a check to the Green Party, go carfree, or stop supporting wars. I assumed they would misconstrue some of my blogs to "prove" I didn't deserve my unemployment. A very worrying time indeed, because the economy was just beginning to collapse. Little did I know, they decided it not worth defending their lies in court.

I received a letter about possible healthcare. COBRA would take up more than my entire take home after unemployment, so I declined healthcare coverage for myself and my son Josiah. I would just have to cross my fingers until a new job manifested itself. Of course, I was still hopeful someone at Shakopee Dakotah would come to their senses.

My 401K had also asked me what option I wanted to take. In May it was worth $13,000. About the same as the DOW Industrial Average. If I didn't cash out now, I never could until I retired. Why would I keep my money in a nation that doesn't value me or my rights as a worker? I was angry, and unsure if the economy could cope with $100+ a barrel oil, so I cashed out. In October my 401K would have been worth $8000. SO even with a 10% penalty tax, cashing out in May was well worth it. I sold high, not low. :D