Journalism / Unemployed in today's workforce.
Becoming unemployed is not a simple fate to reckon with. When there is no longer a steady paycheck being delivered, this can become the culprit to a handsome amount of troubles, worries, and anxieties that may quickly perplex an otherwise level-headed individual. Annabelle Jamison, a Real Estate Professional, recently lost her job with an Agency located just outside Metro St. Louis. “Even if you lose your job on a term that seems valiant, it will still take away from the security that you had when you knew you were going to be able to pay your monthly bills,” says Jamison.
This reality is an unfortunate truth for the growing number of American’s who are finding themselves unemployed due to a variety of reasons. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the National Unemployment Rate during November of 2006 was recorded at 4.5%. With a population of more than 300 million, the United States is estimated to have 13.5 million individuals out of the work force. “This is too many,” says Jamison, “It’s sad to see that there are so many people who have not found their way to a job that will not only pay them for their time, but also respect and appreciate them as individuals of character and creativity.”
The financial aspect plays a large role in the troubles associated with job loss. Yet, the financial situation is not the only barrier that stands in the way of a healthy lifestyle post job loss. Another predicament shows its face in the name of lowered esteem and morale. When an individual faces the hardships of unemployment it can seem disastrous on many levels. Jamison was able to candidly describe her interpretation of lowered morale when she spoke of her recent job loss, “When I first became unemployed, I still held a strong confidence in my ability to succeed in the business world. I had a high esteem and a strong drive to push forward to my next endeavor. But after two months of job searching with no concrete outcome, my morale has begun to sink. I am beginning to ask myself questions such as, am I really the great individual that I believe myself to be? And if I am, then why have I not been hired to an outstanding firm?”
According to Jamison it is nearly impossible not to have at least a small amount of grief over the loss of a job. “There are many factors that have to be reconsidered and thought out. For me, the first factor was the finances. After I felt that I would be able to survive on what little savings I had, my next step was to come to terms with the reality of this life changing event. I would no longer be going to the office or associating with my co-workers on a daily basis. I would no longer have the privilege of working long hours and serving my clients to the high standards that they deserve. These were things that brought me joy and losing them did cause me a degree sadness,” recalled Jamison.
Acceptance and faith are the two words that Jamison claims to have held tightly to during this uncertain time in her life. “It’s not possible for me to know whether or not the next firm I apply to will hire me to their group. But something that it is possible for me to know is that I can put forth my best effort into their application process and pre-interview research. When I put forth my best effort, it is easy to accept the outcome and have faith that in the end, things will work out right.” says Jamison.
Keeping a positive outlook and strong faith have helped Jamison to sustain the uncertainty of unemployment. “There’s never a reason to give up,” says Jamison. And she finishes off our time together by stating, “As time progresses the outcome of finding a new job may begin to seem grim, especially when your financial situation is reliant upon getting a job right now. But, I have found that in keeping my head up during life’s ‘tough’ situations, that in the end I stand stronger physically, emotionally and spiritually. And at the end of the day, that’s what counts.”
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I think when writing this article you need to a little more conscious of the fact that most people have found themselves out of work at one time or another. A lot of what you have written here is not news as such to the audience. A lot of us are all too familiar with feelings of loss and low self esteem that go hand in hand with unemployment. The article needs something more to give it kick.
Also, you have chosen to focus on one particular subject, so instead of generalising the effects of unemployment why not get into detail on the specific situation this woman has found herself in? How exactly did she lose her job? What methods has she used in her search for a new one? What have the interviews been like? What reasons have they given her for employing others over her?
You might also interview someone such as a therapist who deals with the long term unemployed in order to get further into the psyches of your subjects.
I think this article deals with an important and interesting topic, but it really lacks punch.
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I agree the title needs work – after all, if you’re unemployed, you’re not in the workforce. How about just, “Unemployed in America.”
I did notice some items that could use some editing: first sentence of paragraph 2, unneeded apostrophe in “American’s”. Also, in the quote at the end of paragraph 4, I believe you left out the word “of” when she says it caused her “a degree sadness.”
I’d also argue against the first sentence in paragraph 5: I believe that Jamison held tightly to the CONCEPT of acceptance and faith, not the words. Can you hold tightly to words?
These things aside, this was a nicely crafted piece of journalism. Keep it up.
This is very well written, clear in meaning and has only a few mistakes.
The word “culprit,” seems like it should be “cause.” If you do change it, be sure to change the word right after it to “of.”
“A Real Estate Professional” does not need to be capitalized.
Nor does “an Agency.” If either of these were part of a name, then you would capitalize.
I think “valiant” should be “valid.”
Take the apostrophe out of “American’s.”
”...hired to an outstanding firm….” should maybe be “by an outstanding firm…”
Other than that, it’s great.
This was really informative. I did sense a bias, however.
Your prose is very good. It’s clear, concise, and easily understood. All things that are very important.
You integrated the quotes from interviews into your prose rather well – it connected and wasn’t jarring to me as I read. Fantastic job.
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