On June 26, 2010 I am very proud to say I was a participant in a very special event- the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Overnight walk held in Boston. People might be asking what this has to do with my current status of graduating from college and my answer is simple: suicide is something that is never dealt with in this society and in my opinion ever less so in a economy as dismal as this one. I believe that in this current economy many people are feeling stressed beyond belief and feel they have nowhere to turn. I found this day to be life affirming but, yet very sad at the same time.
I was inspired by all the many volunteers who took the time out of their lives to participate in this event. But, I was also saddened to see all the different pictures of the sisters, brothers, daughters, and sons who have taken their own lives. A person might think on the surface that it is a fruitless cause to be championing but, it is not. This is the the most recent volunteer experience I have done in a long time and have received much comfort from.
As I am graduating, I do feel anxious and at times depressed to be graduating in such a economy but, I feel this too will pass, as the saying goes. Before I had experienced this day, I truly had no idea how caring and altruistic people could be about their fellow citizens. It is not a easy walk to accomplish in any measure. First, it is a eighteen mile walk. Secondly, it requires the dedication of being able to either donate or raise at least a thousand dollars to participate in such a walk.
While many people did raise this money, there were at least a half a dozen walkers whom I interacted with that raised double that. One person I know of raised thirty three thousand dollars! The thing that stuns me most however, is that politicians are trying to cut funding such as this. Only a couple of months ago, New York City wanted to cut the funding for crisis hotlines. In a time like this , I think that is not a wise decision. Coming out of this experience, I felt empowered. I believe we, as a country can get through such a hard time.
I only have to remember all the honor beads, I saw on people and the “thank you’s” they gifted people such as me a volunteer with. In the Bible, there is a line that says “too much is given, much is expected.” I believe wholeheartedly in that line. I may have been priviledged in some areas of my life but, I will see my graduation as a way to give back that which I have been given and more. Even though I don’t have a full time job lined up, there are many different ways of fulfilling oneself as a person and I know I can be more.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Unemployed Need Not Apply
I use to think the age of discrimination in all its many different forms has disappeared. But, it appears I am wrong. According to a article on Consumerism Commentary. Com many companies when hiring will turn away a perfectly good resume if they notice that the applicant does not currently have a job. I personally don’t understand the logic of that thought in a economy like this. I mean I can understand if it is a thriving economy and a person has not
worked.
But, in a recession such as this? Members of my own family have tried for many menial jobs such as retail and have tried for over a year to just get a job such as that. Maybe, the logic behind this thinking is a employed worker in a economy such as this the potential employer believes is somewhat valuable . Their job and work ethic is good as they can withstand being cut in such a poor economy. I don’t believe this fares well however, for recent college graduates such as myself however.
I was lucky that I could go to school while working but, not all students can do that. Many can only concentrate on their studies at one time. I think this article only further serves to highlight the bigger issue going on in hiring that it is a very personal thing that going on behind the process of hiring. No one knows when they are walking into a interview what particularly caught the prospect company’s eye.
Could it be the school ? Could it be the volunteer work? I think rather optimistically on my part that that is why it is so crucial to put volunteer work on one’s own resume if a person has one. You never know what ties or feelings the person has concerning the issue the applicant believes in. But, does putting volunteer work on a resume defeat the whole purpose of volunteering in itself –to be selfless?
worked.
But, in a recession such as this? Members of my own family have tried for many menial jobs such as retail and have tried for over a year to just get a job such as that. Maybe, the logic behind this thinking is a employed worker in a economy such as this the potential employer believes is somewhat valuable . Their job and work ethic is good as they can withstand being cut in such a poor economy. I don’t believe this fares well however, for recent college graduates such as myself however.
I was lucky that I could go to school while working but, not all students can do that. Many can only concentrate on their studies at one time. I think this article only further serves to highlight the bigger issue going on in hiring that it is a very personal thing that going on behind the process of hiring. No one knows when they are walking into a interview what particularly caught the prospect company’s eye.
Could it be the school ? Could it be the volunteer work? I think rather optimistically on my part that that is why it is so crucial to put volunteer work on one’s own resume if a person has one. You never know what ties or feelings the person has concerning the issue the applicant believes in. But, does putting volunteer work on a resume defeat the whole purpose of volunteering in itself –to be selfless?
Trip To Europe
June, July , August… all these months remind me of one thing-vacation! But, I fear even that too is being affected by my fear of having no steady job in the next year. Last year, at about this time I was fortunate enough to travel to London and Bruges. I have to admit it did not seem like a country in midst of a recession over there. It seemed anything but.
Everywhere I turned there were tourists but, I must note not many American tourists. If I knew of one other American tourist I was in contact with on the trip it was a lot. But, I must say on my trip I did encounter one thing-anti-American sentiment. I feel saddened to say that the country I felt anti-American sentiments in was Belgium. It was on a tour and the tour guide made it so apparent he did not like Americans with his nasty attitude toward me. But, this only further serves to highlight one other point I wish to bring up: is the recession making other countries look upon us, America with more empathy and not see us as the “egotistical nation” they sometimes catergorize us as?
No one can argue that now would especially be a good time to travel since the euro is so low. A person can get much more for their money than in times before. Maybe, if I don’t get a full time job I can save up and travel a bit more. I don’t know how that would look on a resume but, I find that traveling in itself is a education and sometimes prospective employers take note of that .
Everywhere I turned there were tourists but, I must note not many American tourists. If I knew of one other American tourist I was in contact with on the trip it was a lot. But, I must say on my trip I did encounter one thing-anti-American sentiment. I feel saddened to say that the country I felt anti-American sentiments in was Belgium. It was on a tour and the tour guide made it so apparent he did not like Americans with his nasty attitude toward me. But, this only further serves to highlight one other point I wish to bring up: is the recession making other countries look upon us, America with more empathy and not see us as the “egotistical nation” they sometimes catergorize us as?
No one can argue that now would especially be a good time to travel since the euro is so low. A person can get much more for their money than in times before. Maybe, if I don’t get a full time job I can save up and travel a bit more. I don’t know how that would look on a resume but, I find that traveling in itself is a education and sometimes prospective employers take note of that .
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Internet Kill Switch
On the surface, I think the “Internet Kill Switch” is a good idea. If there is some issues of American citizens needing to be protected from terrorists hackers, I definitely think a good majority of the people would be for it. But, I do think that it has to have some clear rules and stipulations as to when it is going to be enforced. I think the President should make clear that he has the power to do so but, from there on it gets a little murky.
I think if the President discloses too much of the circumstances concerning the enforcement of such a rule , the terrorists will find another way to infiltrate the system. But, I definitely think the American public has a right to know that it is going to be used. Also, I would hope that this is not going to just be a occasion for the government to try to snoop in on people’s business and see just what viewpoints people hold.
I would hope it wouldn’t be used just as a means of censorship or propaganda of the President’s beliefs. Some people might worry that their political beliefs might get them into trouble with the President if they don’t agree with him. As far as the issue of “free speech” is concerned, free speech is definitely going to be stifled but, if people are afraid to express their viewpoints they must first look at the source of their fear. Is it due to their conscience or just fear of being termed a stupid name by the government.
The global companies, I believe should be aware that they are selling their product or ideas in a country that is essentially unsafe but, then again so is any country. I don’t think it is so unreasonable for a President to ask a global company to obide by such a law if America faces a threat so, can any other country or company that is based in any other country.
Also, the company should note and be happy that essentially the President is looking out for their well interest. Not one country wants to be associated with terrorism and I think by not agreeing with the law, a company might be saying they have something to hide or they don’t consider America an ally and source of profit. I think it would take a lot of careful planning and knowledge on the President’s part to enforce this law correctly.
If this law does get past, he might have the ability to make a great amount of people angry for a lot of different reasons. President Obama can’t be constantly using the “kill switch” on the slightest hint of hackers because if he does he risks these companies getting mad because they have lost a lot of profit.
I think if the President discloses too much of the circumstances concerning the enforcement of such a rule , the terrorists will find another way to infiltrate the system. But, I definitely think the American public has a right to know that it is going to be used. Also, I would hope that this is not going to just be a occasion for the government to try to snoop in on people’s business and see just what viewpoints people hold.
I would hope it wouldn’t be used just as a means of censorship or propaganda of the President’s beliefs. Some people might worry that their political beliefs might get them into trouble with the President if they don’t agree with him. As far as the issue of “free speech” is concerned, free speech is definitely going to be stifled but, if people are afraid to express their viewpoints they must first look at the source of their fear. Is it due to their conscience or just fear of being termed a stupid name by the government.
The global companies, I believe should be aware that they are selling their product or ideas in a country that is essentially unsafe but, then again so is any country. I don’t think it is so unreasonable for a President to ask a global company to obide by such a law if America faces a threat so, can any other country or company that is based in any other country.
Also, the company should note and be happy that essentially the President is looking out for their well interest. Not one country wants to be associated with terrorism and I think by not agreeing with the law, a company might be saying they have something to hide or they don’t consider America an ally and source of profit. I think it would take a lot of careful planning and knowledge on the President’s part to enforce this law correctly.
If this law does get past, he might have the ability to make a great amount of people angry for a lot of different reasons. President Obama can’t be constantly using the “kill switch” on the slightest hint of hackers because if he does he risks these companies getting mad because they have lost a lot of profit.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Y me or Y u
"Gen Y" is the term people categorize my generation as. Y-that's an interesting letter. But, what's more interesting is what the New York Times had to say about this generation on May 24,2010 courtesy of writer Judith Warner. She believes my generation is spoiled, entitled and entirely narcississtic. Do I agree with her? To a certain extent yes and to a certain extent no. I believe that not every young person grew up with a silver spoon in their mouth.
I know I did not with a firefighter father and secretarial mother. I always worked minimum wage paying jobs while in school. I also NEVER encountered a teacher who "cuddled" me through tough times I had in school. Quite the opposite, I encountered many teachers who were apathetic to my learning and of those in the class.
But, on the bright side it did make me appreciate the dedicated and sincere ones :) But, I digress.... So, I'd like to think that whatever shred of self-esteem I had came from knowing I was driven to learn and that no one could take my education away from me. Judith Warner makes also some other interesting assertions in her article.
She believes that many graduates don't want to work long hours and will simply quit a job they hate because good ol'mom and dad is there to catch them. First, off I think she is only partly right. I have many friends who do not work at all but, choose to live off their parents. BUT, and here is the important part ... They come from very wealthy families. My one friend comes from a very wealthy family but, hasn't even attempted to look for part time work in over three years. This person happens to be a girl.
This might surprise some people because I believe, there is a stereotype that the modern woman of the 20th century is very independant and self-sufficient. But, this is not always the case. Some women even though today is 2010 are still waiting for their "white knight."
So, my last question is should women fall back to their old ways of letting us, men be the sole providers in relationships? Or should women keep up with the times and be the self-sufficient Alpha women we know they can be juggling both the demands of work and home?
I know I did not with a firefighter father and secretarial mother. I always worked minimum wage paying jobs while in school. I also NEVER encountered a teacher who "cuddled" me through tough times I had in school. Quite the opposite, I encountered many teachers who were apathetic to my learning and of those in the class.
But, on the bright side it did make me appreciate the dedicated and sincere ones :) But, I digress.... So, I'd like to think that whatever shred of self-esteem I had came from knowing I was driven to learn and that no one could take my education away from me. Judith Warner makes also some other interesting assertions in her article.
She believes that many graduates don't want to work long hours and will simply quit a job they hate because good ol'mom and dad is there to catch them. First, off I think she is only partly right. I have many friends who do not work at all but, choose to live off their parents. BUT, and here is the important part ... They come from very wealthy families. My one friend comes from a very wealthy family but, hasn't even attempted to look for part time work in over three years. This person happens to be a girl.
This might surprise some people because I believe, there is a stereotype that the modern woman of the 20th century is very independant and self-sufficient. But, this is not always the case. Some women even though today is 2010 are still waiting for their "white knight."
So, my last question is should women fall back to their old ways of letting us, men be the sole providers in relationships? Or should women keep up with the times and be the self-sufficient Alpha women we know they can be juggling both the demands of work and home?
The Troubled Recession
"It was the best of times it was the worst of times". Charles Dickens was one smart guy. He understood not only people's psyche but, the nature of society structure. In just a short couple of weeks, I will be graduating in one of the worst times.
But, I have to wonder can the recession have any upsides? Can being broke and penniless in Westchester have any merits? Can adversity be a factor that stirs creativity in one's soul? Dickens, one might argue is one such proof that poverty can be used for one's benefit.
A person only has to look at all of his stories to see that: lack of money is a blight on one's soul. But, one might argue more so too is wealth. Scrooge's A Christmas Carol and Pip in Great Expectations have money but, lose family ties and personal happiness.
It is only when they look beyond material wealth and see the sufferings ground them that they find true happiness.
So as I am looking at this computer while typing this I am forced to examine myself and my future. Can I learn something more about myself and my country in this time of crisis. Can I find some light in the tunnel?
I currently work at UPS but, don't wish to be there permanently but, will I have to? Maybe I can take this time to volunteer in a area of my interest to get myself out of this slump.
But, I have to wonder can the recession have any upsides? Can being broke and penniless in Westchester have any merits? Can adversity be a factor that stirs creativity in one's soul? Dickens, one might argue is one such proof that poverty can be used for one's benefit.
A person only has to look at all of his stories to see that: lack of money is a blight on one's soul. But, one might argue more so too is wealth. Scrooge's A Christmas Carol and Pip in Great Expectations have money but, lose family ties and personal happiness.
It is only when they look beyond material wealth and see the sufferings ground them that they find true happiness.
So as I am looking at this computer while typing this I am forced to examine myself and my future. Can I learn something more about myself and my country in this time of crisis. Can I find some light in the tunnel?
I currently work at UPS but, don't wish to be there permanently but, will I have to? Maybe I can take this time to volunteer in a area of my interest to get myself out of this slump.
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