So, how does the job market look now?

[coloradodem2005]

I still think it looks terrible. Which is why I stopped looking for a job for the most part. Personally, I am tired of trying things out that I have no aptitude for. Sales and phone solicitation namely.

[iconoclastic cat]

1. What is your specialty?

I often wonder which professions have been hit by the wonders of the Chimpy Supremacy.

I'm in my fourth month of unemployment after leaving the wild world of adjunct English faculty and freelance copywriting. My plan was to teach English at the secondary level, but I have learned that the teacher shortage is a myth (unless you teach math or science). This may change at any moment, but right now my 100+ resumes have borne no fruit.

[AnnInLa]

2. work at Wendy's or come on down here....

You could surely find work as a teacher here in Louisiana, but you would make almost NO money. Of course, it costs next to nothing to live here, it's always warm, beer flows freely, and there's a street party constantly. It's also freeperville, but it's real sport to creap them out....come on down, we need more lib teachers here! (Sometimes I think I'm the only one, but I'm a little paranoid.)

[iconoclastic cat]

9. Are English teachers in demand?

I have been considering leaving Chicago, even though it pains me greatly to think of it. I really do love this city, even with it's murder rate and awful school system.

Tell me, Ann, are English teachers needed in LA?

[AnnInLa]

15. English teachers

I'm not sure about English teachers, specifically, but what happens is this: In Louisiana, we do not have a surplus of teachers. If a teacher applies for a specific job in a specific area, and cannot get it, he/she usually takes a job in Special Education (this area always needs teachers) and waits for an opening in his/her field. If you have your master's, then the chances are better, of course. If you are willing to coach, then chances are even better (go figure.)

If you heard the teachers' salary schedule in Louisiana, you would laugh your head off and wonder how a person could live on that. However, the cost of living here is very low. Another thing I like is that the LAE (state affiliate of NEA) is VERY active in state and parish politics. We are not unionized, except for 4/5 parishes (0ne of which I live in, yipee), but we work hard for teachers' rights.

Of course living in the South has it's good points and bad points...freeperland, religious zealots, ignorance, stone-age mentality....easy, laid-back lifestyle, low taxes, party lifestyle in South Louisiana.

Sorry I have written a book here.....Ann

[Mr_Spock]

13. In northern Louisiana it seemed that people were open and friendly

in public, but segregated and very bigoted after work hours. This probably isn't true in the cities. Whoa! I just realized that the same was true here in New Hampshire - all red-neck bigots who think nothing of making racist remarks in restaurants where there are no minorities!!!!! Never mind!

[coloradodem2005]

3. Math.

But I am not going to teach because I had a bad experience. I am supposed to start Graduate School in the fall to get an MS in Mathematics with an emphasis in Statistics. I hope that helps me when I get out because I heard that Statistics is a growing field.

[Philosophy]

6. Try getting into computers

I'm a math geek too - I minored in it in college, but I decided to get my degree in computer science because there's a lot more jobs in computers and you still get to use math every day.

[coloradodem2005]

7. Yeah.

Though, this has been a good time for Statistics and, I am not heavily into computers. Though, I will be using them some.

[murielm99]

4. I am an umemployed teacher, too.

I am taking science classes in the summer to get a science endorsement.

Maybe that will help land a job.

Teachers are being laid off all over my area. (Northern Illinois).

[iconoclastic cat]

8. Yeah, math and science are the only areas that seem to be in need.

Are you in an urban, suburban, or rural area in N. IL? It seems like anywhere in IL is really bad for teachers. I live in Chicago, and none of the other English teachers in my class have found jobs since graduating in May. Meanwhile, the class sizes have been growing and growing.

[murielm99]

11. I am in rural N. IL.

Ogle County.

If you know where White Pines State Park is, I am in that area.

All the school districts here are having financial problems. Everyone is cutting programs and teachers.

[JanMichael]

5. It's bad here in NC. Once again employers can screw whoever they want...

...because a desperate person is perfectly willing to fill that space.

It's a "Sellers" market, nice and humane, eh?

[CaTeacher]

10. yeah--I have to admit that for teaching math and

science are the best way to go. They are literally CRYING for people who can teach math and science everywhere I look in California. But, if you are having trouble finding a teaching job, try a continuation high school, they are very desperate for anyone.

I have a doctoral degree in science from a very top-notch school (and lots of publication, grants, awards etc), and a few years ago I had a top level position with one of the famous pharmaceutical firms. My base salary was just a bit under 200 grand per year, and with the benefits and bonuses etc--I was effectively making nearly 300 K per year! (I do have to admit that I am VERY good at what I do and several major drug companies were eager to get me). That amount of money really went far--because I lived in the mid-west, where the cost of living was very low compared to that in California.

Well, after a few years of that, I decided to give up my high paying job and give back to society. (liberal guilt that I had so much, when so many are in need.) Anyway, I moved back to California, and took a job teaching science at a continuation high school (a high school for kids who have been in trouble). I also moonlight a little at the local Sylvan Learning Center (where I can tutor kids who are having trouble). I have a third job at Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization where I try to help disadvantaged children find mentors in the community. So now I don't have nearly as much money, but I am very busy helping people in need, and I am very happy with myself.

There are definitely jobs at continuation schools, my job is supposed to be as a science teacher, but they have been so desperate that they have had me teach things like American Government, History, and English when they need a teacher desperately. So--if you need work and are a good person--get out there and teach! It will make you feel good about yourself!

[JanMichael]

12. I don't need work, I've got a great job.

It's the best.

I was simply commenting on the situation where I am for those who aren't currently employed.

[CaTeacher]

14. wasn't meant for you in particular, just

people who may be interested in teaching. I wanted them to know that, if they look in the right places there may be opportunities. And usually the jobs are available to anyone with a four year degree (they are not fully credentialed--but can still get an emergency credential). Just trying to be helpful (because I know some who will read this will need a job)--and not directing it to anyone in particular.

Congrats that you have a good job.

[Habibi]

16. I've pretty much stopped looking

I started freelance editing in February, after over a year of unemployment. The pay is uncertain, and if I stick with it for much longer, I'll probably have to get a part-time job of some kind. The kinds of support jobs I'd been doing have almost completely dried up. I've been kicking around alternatives--x-ray tech, teaching. I liked the teaching idea but after looking into it decided not to pursue it. Here in NY the credentialing requirements are pretty intense--and you don't get to teach more than 40 days without being licensed. I just don't trust the job market enough to go through all that.

So, I'm trying to figure out what to do next. I'm too young (and too broke) to retire, but, being middle-aged, am at a disadvantage in this market. I don't know what to train for that won't be outsourced in the next 3 years (why I decided against x-ray tech--radiography is going digital, and to me, that means it won't be long before radiographers will be reduced to low-paid technicians who simply position people in front of machines, guided by some professional in India or China. Already our x-rays are being read by foreign radiologists, or so I've heard.)

Wish I could just go back to school for fun. I'd love to spend time on a master's in English or library science.

[Blue Wally]

17. Here in South Florida

Constyruction work. The wantads are full of solicitations for awide variety of construction tradesmen. The state bird is the crane (steel).

[mhr]

18. This Graph Form The Dallas Fed Sums Up The Situation In North Texas

Unemployed four years now - Very Depressing.

[iconoclastic cat]

19. Wow, Dallas was just devastated by Chimpy...

where is all this supposed "support" coming from?