Employment Status Poll: How has the Shrubya Economy Affected You?

[Gryffindor_Bookworm]

Poll question: Employment Status Poll: How has the Shrubya Economy Affected You?

I am interested in the employment status of DUers, since I think we represent a good cross-section of the country (speaking geographically -- obviously, we all have similar views and internet-use habits, LOL).

Thanks! :hi:

P.S. For my purposes, "underemployed" means that you are working significantly below the market value for your skills and education, NOT that you're not quite making as much as you think you should. I think you're all smart enough to make a judgment call there if need be. :-)

[greeneyedpookie]

1. Where I live

oil field is the place to be. We are so busy. This has been the busiest summers here that I have seen working here in the past 5 years.

GEP

:bounce:

[Gryffindor_Bookworm]

2. You work in an oil field?

How does politics affect you? Is it better for your local economy if Dems or Repukes are in office?

Just curious. I never talked to a "Texas Tea" person before. :)

[greeneyedpookie]

9. I'm actually

in the 4 corners area. San Juan Basin is full with the crude stuff. I just keep to myself with the political stuff. The store I do accounting for is booming. They have been in business for over 50 years and this past one was the best yet. The BLM has allowed the oil field companies 10,000 more new wells. More business for us. Total job security!!

GEP

:bounce:

[medeak]

11. reverse economy

just like us...best year in 22 years. (gold mines)

[tandot]

3. underemployed full-time

Master's Degree with an income of under $20,000

I am trying for over one year now to find a better paying job to no avail.

[Gryffindor_Bookworm]

5. Jesus, that's horrible.

I'm so sorry. I wish you luck in your search.

I am a dissertation shy of a Master's making about $33K, which is not bad, since for what I want to do (child/family therapy) I *have* to have the Master's finished (hopefully December!)

[tandot]

18. Thanks, Walt

I am hopeful that I find something better. My boss actually took another position and I am applying for hers on Monday. But I still won't make more than $30K.

[Gryffindor_Bookworm]

21. What's your degree in?

One of my brothers is a career counselor. I'll ask him for tips.

[tandot]

24. MS in Behavioral Science

Sorry for responding so late. My drive home is 1 hour.

I don't have a license for counseling/therapy. I'd have to take about 30 more hours on top of my MS. I am working in the research department of an university, doing statistical analysis for faculty and coordinating psychological experiments. Most jobs I've looked at in counseling/social work require special licenses, even with a MS. And I never really wanted to go this route. I like working in research.

I am hoping that I'll get my boss' job. She was the coordinator of the research center until last week and I am submitting my application on Monday.

[Gryffindor_Bookworm]

25. Best of luck to you!

Please let us know if you get it.

[tandot]

29. Thanks, I will post in the lounge as soon as I find out. n/t

[medeak]

13. how about

writing speeches for DNC? College grad son is doing that now as no jobs available

[tandot]

19. The thing is that I am employed full-time

so, I don't really have time to do anything else (I'll drive an hour one-way to work each day).

But my Boss just took another position and I am applying for her job on Monday.

Thanks for the tip, though...

Good luck to your son!

[frylock]

4. this is the third time since shrub took office..

that I have been unemployed.

[Gryffindor_Bookworm]

6. Three times in three years?

:wow:


Oh, that's so depressing. I'm sorry. I wish you luck in your search for something better.

:hug:

[Guy Fawkes]

7. Still a student (HS) living at home...

But I'm thinking about writing submitions for a tabloid like Weekly World News. That would be a fun job.

[Gryffindor_Bookworm]

8. Indeed it would!

I hear that aliens recently met with the Governator..... ;-)

[supernova]

10. Unemployed for 23 months

now. :grr: Really tough time finding another tech writing gig. I don't know what I will do.

[Gryffindor_Bookworm]

12. I am so sorry.

I have been blessed to be able to put the recommend 3-months emergency fund in place, but I know it takes way more than 3 months to find a job in the Shrubby economy. If I lost mine, I don't know what I'd do. :scared:

Best of luck to you!! :hug:

[shrike]

14. Self-employed here

FYI, my annual take has been down ever since Shrub took office. Down roughly 30 percent.

[Gryffindor_Bookworm]

15. I didn't think to make that a separate option, sorry.

THIRTY percent? Egads! I'm so sorry.

We have got to get these thugs out of office!! The Bush Crime Family burns me up! :grr:

[bigwillq]

16. I have been employed at least part-time ever since I was 16

I am now 26.

[Gryffindor_Bookworm]

17. That's pretty impressive, especially in the Bush economy.

Good for you!

[bigwillq]

23. Thanks!

I wish I made more money but the benefits are good where I work and I look at the bright side
At least I have a job!

But I have many, many friends who were laid off since shrub was selected.

[stanwyck]

20. Husband lost his job, no raises

for me or co-workers. For years, now. My husband found another job -- at a greatly reduced salary. It's a buyer's market. Just what Dubya and his buddies want. Who do you know who's received a raise? Besides the CEOs of oil companies, that is.

[Madrone]

22. re: "who do you know who's received a raise"

I got my job in June of 2000 - and have gotten a raise EVERY January, since. In fact, I just got a raise again, on July 1st - which is a definite anomaly. We *NEVER* get mid-year raises. I just totally rock! :D

whoops - edited to add that although I am doing better financially now than ever before - it's definitely no thanks to Bush, and up UNTIL this point, I've been on ramen/rice/beans wages - if that. I can totally relate to and sympathize with anyone out of work or barely making enough to survive right now- most of my adult life has been like that.

[Nikia]

30. We get raises every year

Well, I didn't get a raise two years ago, but that was more of a personal issue. Our business is privately owned, primarily by someone who grew up a short distance away from our current location. We all know the owners personally. It reflects badly upon them personally if they don't give raises and bonuses to employees.

[Nikia]

26. I'm employed fulltime but I can't get a better job

I have the best position that I can get or would want in my company minus my boss's job, which he'll have for probably another 10 years. I am between entry level and mid level in my career path in pay and responsibilities. I want a solid mid level job in a company with advancement oppurtunities. I came close to getting one of these jobs, and have had a few interviews in the past year, but no luck landing one. A factor that swhould have helped me get one of these jobs by now is that my boss knows that I want to move on and is well known in the industry. He said that 5 years ago, he had collegues asking him to recommend people for jobs about twice a month. For the past two years, he has said that he has not received any such phone calls.

[mwdem]

27. I'm home now, but I worry about my grown children.

My 29 year old daughter works for a non-profit, she's doing okay, but my 22 year old son is in and out of college, working pt. time for a nationwide delivery service. My so's job is secure, we're comfortable, but some of my friends have been out of work for over a year. I see it all.

[PittPoliSci]

28. other

I am a college student who has to work two jobs just to cover the rising cost of tuition, but I am the son of two parents who are more than capable, but less than willing, to pay for my college despite my high GPA and lack of scholarships.