Comments on: So I graduated in a Recession, Now What? http://www.theideasthatstick.com/2009/07/09/now-what/ Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:07:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Lawrence Riddick http://www.theideasthatstick.com/2009/07/09/now-what/comment-page-1/#comment-7 Lawrence Riddick Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:49:30 +0000 http://www.theideasthatstick.com/?p=11#comment-7 That is awesome Jamie! Your willingness to self promote and get your brand out there is a remarkable way to see increase in your career aspirations. If you ever need some personal branding ideas continue to check out our blog and @hajjflemings on Twitter and at www.hajjflemings.com. Thats awesome that networking through Twitter is working for you. Make sure you continue to foster those relationships. Continue to hone in on increasing your skill-sets and build up your "chops" to take on those career opportunities when they present themselves. I read your post on your blog, "<a href="http://jamiefavreau.wordpress.com/2009/07/21/can-we-stop-the-brain-drain/" rel="nofollow">Can You Help One Person Stay in Detroit</a>?" I think Detroit needs people like you!! I miss my hometown and I wish the best for it. With hardworking and intelligent people like you, it will turnaround. That is awesome Jamie! Your willingness to self promote and get your brand out there is a remarkable way to see increase in your career aspirations. If you ever need some personal branding ideas continue to check out our blog and @hajjflemings on Twitter and at http://www.hajjflemings.com. Thats awesome that networking through Twitter is working for you. Make sure you continue to foster those relationships.

Continue to hone in on increasing your skill-sets and build up your “chops” to take on those career opportunities when they present themselves. I read your post on your blog, “Can You Help One Person Stay in Detroit?” I think Detroit needs people like you!! I miss my hometown and I wish the best for it. With hardworking and intelligent people like you, it will turnaround.

]]> By: Jamie Favreau http://www.theideasthatstick.com/2009/07/09/now-what/comment-page-1/#comment-6 Jamie Favreau Fri, 24 Jul 2009 08:21:38 +0000 http://www.theideasthatstick.com/?p=11#comment-6 I have worked in the sports industry for the past six years as an usher. Though the job ranks high on the cool factor. I have seen 2 championships in 2 different sports and countless events. It is NOT a way to make a living. When the Red Wings season ended last year I made sure I gave all my ticket holders my business card. I figure they could know someone. Through Twitter I have been having my best success and things aren't even happening locally through Twitter. I have a chance at two positions one in NYC and the other in Chicago. So this is great!! I am an adapter of change and I hope to cash in the rewards of connecting with people through technology. I have worked in the sports industry for the past six years as an usher. Though the job ranks high on the cool factor. I have seen 2 championships in 2 different sports and countless events. It is NOT a way to make a living.

When the Red Wings season ended last year I made sure I gave all my ticket holders my business card. I figure they could know someone.

Through Twitter I have been having my best success and things aren’t even happening locally through Twitter. I have a chance at two positions one in NYC and the other in Chicago. So this is great!!

I am an adapter of change and I hope to cash in the rewards of connecting with people through technology.

]]> By: Dan Nickodemus http://www.theideasthatstick.com/2009/07/09/now-what/comment-page-1/#comment-4 Dan Nickodemus Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:31:35 +0000 http://www.theideasthatstick.com/?p=11#comment-4 I, too, graduated with my bachelor's in the early 80's in the midst of a recession. Tended bar, waited tables, eventually entered a management training program. 8 years later, I changed careers. Today, I am a Managing Partner in a Fortune 500 Financial Services firm. Had it not been for all the lessons I learned in those first tough few years; tenacity, perseverance, dogged determination; I would not have developed the character I needed to become and remain successful in my current role. Keep the faith! What does not kill you makes you stronger! I, too, graduated with my bachelor’s in the early 80′s in the midst of a recession. Tended bar, waited tables, eventually entered a management training program. 8 years later, I changed careers. Today, I am a Managing Partner in a Fortune 500 Financial Services firm. Had it not been for all the lessons I learned in those first tough few years; tenacity, perseverance, dogged determination; I would not have developed the character I needed to become and remain successful in my current role. Keep the faith! What does not kill you makes you stronger!

]]> By: Lawrence Riddick http://www.theideasthatstick.com/2009/07/09/now-what/comment-page-1/#comment-3 Lawrence Riddick Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:58:10 +0000 http://www.theideasthatstick.com/?p=11#comment-3 Alex - Your story is very inspiring!! The sticktoitness that you had is remarkable and and at the same time was necessary for you to be where you are today. I too agree giving up on yourself - NEVER should be an option. Thanks for the comment! Alex – Your story is very inspiring!! The sticktoitness that you had is remarkable and and at the same time was necessary for you to be where you are today.

I too agree giving up on yourself – NEVER should be an option. Thanks for the comment!

]]> By: Alex Zayachkov http://www.theideasthatstick.com/2009/07/09/now-what/comment-page-1/#comment-2 Alex Zayachkov Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:22:19 +0000 http://www.theideasthatstick.com/?p=11#comment-2 Not only can I relate to entering the career market during a recession, I've been here before... I entered the job market in the early 1980's, when the nation was in a recession and locally (Michigan) a depression. After working for a couple years in a manufacturing environment, I chased a dream to become a millionaire by 30 (sound familiar?) and became a Real Estate agent. I earned $340 in commissions after six months of bustin' my hump. But while I was learning about sales, I continued to submit resumes, and after six months of starvation, I became a sales rep for a medical/surgical supplier in California. The money was less than I earned in manufacturing, but the lessons of being a commission only sales person were life-long. The other thing about joining the job market in the early 80's is that it meant that I was competing with the entire Baby- Boom generation for scarce jobs. Being born at the tail end of the Baby Boom Generation, "they" all had some experience, while mine was quite limited. And yes, newspaper classified ads and electric typewriters were as high tech as things got back then. Expect the worst After spending years gaining the experience and education to join the Technology sector, I finally secured a gig with a global consulting firm. Unfortunately before I had a year of experience, the Tech Bubble of a decade ago burst and a perfect storm (unemployment, divorce, virtual homelessness) combined to keep me unemloyed for almost two years! I spent the next three years at Ford Motor, honing my skills and craft. I have since worked for Fortune 100 firms re-building my credentials yet here I am again, competing with record numbers for my next professional gig. The bottom line You will survive, and possibly even thrive after suffering the worst a recession throws at you. Perseverence is everything. When you give up on you, you might as well dig yourself a hole and crawl in. Not only can I relate to entering the career market during a recession, I’ve been here before…

I entered the job market in the early 1980′s, when the nation was in a recession and locally (Michigan) a depression. After working for a couple years in a manufacturing environment, I chased a dream to become a millionaire by 30 (sound familiar?) and became a Real Estate agent. I earned $340 in commissions after six months of bustin’ my hump. But while I was learning about sales, I continued to submit resumes, and after six months of starvation, I became a sales rep for a medical/surgical supplier in California. The money was less than I earned in manufacturing, but the lessons of being a commission only sales person were life-long.

The other thing about joining the job market in the early 80′s is that it meant that I was competing with the entire Baby-
Boom generation for scarce jobs. Being born at the tail end of the Baby Boom Generation, “they” all had some experience, while mine was quite limited. And yes, newspaper classified ads and electric typewriters were as high tech as things got back then.

Expect the worst
After spending years gaining the experience and education to join the Technology sector, I finally secured a gig with a global consulting firm. Unfortunately before I had a year of experience, the Tech Bubble of a decade ago burst and a perfect storm (unemployment, divorce, virtual homelessness) combined to keep me unemloyed for almost two years! I spent the next three years at Ford Motor, honing my skills and craft. I have since worked for Fortune 100 firms re-building my credentials yet here I am again, competing with record numbers for my next professional gig.

The bottom line
You will survive, and possibly even thrive after suffering the worst a recession throws at you. Perseverence is everything. When you give up on you, you might as well dig yourself a hole and crawl in.

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