Posted by Debra on May 10, 2007 at 08:59:20:

Hello Everybody, I am welcome to your comments and suggestions on my issues I've been going through the past few months. Let me start by stating the basics:
I was laid off from my job in Customer Support back in October 2005. I decided to go to Massage Therapy school, something I've always wanted to do.. I graduated from MT school in September 2006. Unfortunately, I am unable to get a job that is fairly close to home, with benefits. Apparently, jobs with benefits are very rare. I have an offer, which I probably Won't take, as it entails working in Atlantic City on Thurs., Fri., Sat., and Sun. evenings. A.C. is least an hour away, and I'd be lugging my table which is 30+ Lbs to various hotels....which could be far from each other. I also didn't pursue a job, but that was in A.C. too, which entailed working both days on the weekend! Call me crazy, but I don't want to work both weekend days...should I be that bold? I have been living off of savings since at least October! Luckily, I have it.
I do my proper follow-up when I apply for jobs, and I am pursuing a job at a hospital close to me. But, I am getting discouraged, as I am not getting return calls.
I also have setup my own out-call side business with the state of NJ, which was nerve wracking and scary. But, it is hard to get customers on a regular basis.
I am thinking of going back to Customer Support, but the pay would be SO much less than what I was making before...one of the things that drove me to go to school. I even thought of working part time in Customer Support, hopefully with benefits, but there is nothing out there for that either!
I think I've mentioned all the pertinent details. Please help me figure out what to do...Thanks!

• Hey Debra 03:22:30 05/11/2007 Anna Banana (3)
  • Re: Thanks Anna! 07:56:29 05/11/2007 Debra (2)
    • Re: Thanks Anna! 03:21:27 05/12/2007 Anna Banana (1)
      • Re: Hey Anna! 14:10:28 05/17/2007 Debra (0)

Posted by Anna Banana on May 11, 2007 at 03:22:30:

In Reply to: Any Tips or Thoughts on My Stress of Late....? posted by Debra on May 10, 2007 at 08:59:20:

Wow, it's difficult to give advice on that! Especially from Spain, cos I know how things regarding jobs are in Spain (more or less), but I have no idea how things are there.

I guess it depends on for how long will you be able to live off savings. If there's still some time left, then I'd try not to stress out too much about this. I'd try to be very very honest with myself and discover what I like doing. If it's something related with massage therapy, then I'd would try to look for that type of job, or something related, and even if in the meantime I found another job, I'd still consider it something temporal until I found what I liked.

But if your savings are about to end, then I guess you have to accept any job you find, as long as it doesn't stress you too much.

I don't know, it's difficult. And these things are very stressing. But try not to obsess about it. Whatever you find is not definitive (at least not in Spain, here they make contracts of 6 months most of the times). And usually, I don't know why, perods of no jobs at all are followed by lots of job offers/opportunities. The wheel of fortune I guess.

Good luck, and don't let this stress you too much :-)

Posted by Debra on May 11, 2007 at 07:56:29:

In Reply to: Hey Debra posted by Anna Banana on May 11, 2007 at 03:22:30:

I really appreciate your post, Anna. It made me feel a little better, as I was thinking along the same lines. I can live off of my savings for a while longer, so I am trying to keep positive, and keep trudging through in looking for a job that I want! But, it is discouraging, as there are too many Massage Therapists out here! Does Spain have a health plan that is available to everyone, whether they work or not? I am paying a lot of money for health insurance.
Then, yesterday I went to a job fair as I heard the girl I was trying to get a hold of for a job I want was there....but, they left by the time I got there, a full half hour early! But, I was able to give my business card to another girl who worked there and she will give it to her. I hope I didn't sound over zealous when I said I really wanted that job! :-(
Thanks Again. I will try not to stress out too much at this point... At least I have my health (not all of my mental health, though..:-), and my boyfriend, and our new dog who i Love! she stays at his place.. (I love my boyfriend, too..:-) and family.
I hope I didn't ramble too much!

Posted by Anna Banana on May 12, 2007 at 03:21:27:

In Reply to: Re: Thanks Anna! posted by Debra on May 11, 2007 at 07:56:29:

In Spain you need to work too in order to have right for social security (I guess that's the health plan you were talking about). But you can use your parents' card in the meantime, if they are working and agree to that.
I guess things aren't that different from Spain and the US after all.

Good luck! :-)

Posted by Debra on May 17, 2007 at 14:10:28:

In Reply to: Re: Thanks Anna! posted by Anna Banana on May 12, 2007 at 03:21:27:

By the way, in the U.S., you can only get health insurance through your parents, if you're young and live with your parents. Unfortunately, I am neither. So, I have to pay lots of money per month for health insurance, which doesn't cover Eye and Dental. Oh well... :-(