And it's been an amazing time. I can't even begin to tell you how much it's changed my life, well, I think I have through all the different posts I've done. People have come out of the woodwork to help me, encourage me, inspire me. I was in a really dark spot when I first stepped into this room, but, now I'm beginning to see the light.
The only problem seems to be that the universe refuses to give me a break. Now, up front I want to say I'm not looking for Whale Votes, upvotes, or any sort of money from anyone. I'll get that slowly and surely here through merit because I believe in the community here and I love to create content. My goals to help other people, hopefully inspire them, and bring the world forward. I cannot even begin to express to you how deep that sentiment goes without taking several pages...
I have spent 8 years trying to find something, anything. Along the way I've had a few part time gigs, a decent number of shoots, and help from angels. But nothing that's lasted, gone anywhere, or done what having a job normally does.
At first glance no one believes me. 'Why can't you find part time work?' They keep asking. 'Why don't you try XXXX.? Or XXXX?' And I'm like, I have. And, I have. And, I have. Seriously, my world has become so skewed that it's unbelievable unless you're someone who's actually around me. And even then it's hard to believe. I've been at it 8 years. No shit, 8 years. Living down in the shallows of the world off of ramen, Mac&Cheese, and frozen pizza.
Going through Craigslist, Monster, LinkedIn, shit, name a job site, a placement site, whatever, I've been on them all. Through day after day of sending resumes, slogging out cover letters telling them why I want the job they're offering so much. I've gone through spreadsheets, lists, what not, trying to keep track of every job/gig/etc. I've applied to.
I'm qualified, or was...to do an insane amount of jobs and at a high level of responsibility. I've done everything from start a international marketing department in a Japanese company...in Japanese, to being the managing editor of a print magazine...to becoming a full time (unpaid *scream) creative with works published in books, magazines, and on website around the world. All of that on my own, and self taught, and pretty dang successful if you ask me. At least I was.
Maybe it was when I moved back to the U.S. back in 2010 in the height of that economic crisis to the Midwest with a hard to understand resume, I have no idea. But, every day for the last 8 years with only an occasional day off, I've been looking. Looking, looking, looking. It's like I slid off the universes map and I can't get back on.
Not just looking...pitching, networking, asking everyone I knew. At this point I know the questions come up again, 'Why don't you get a part time job at Walmart? Or become a barista?' Tried that. I mean, I've tried pretty much everything in 8 years. Even dumbing down my resume I'm not the type of candidate they want. Someone with intelligence and drive? Immediate disqualifications for entry level work. And, the last time I tried the barista route, I almost got laughed out of the shop because it was a' third wave coffee shop that required all it's employees to have at least 3 years of in-depth work in the industry.' Building a network of relationships with roasters and promoting local industry through a series of well written articles apparently didn't come close.
And asking friends for help. Yeah, been there, done that. That led to exactly 1 job that lasted 6 months, which I left to move to LA. Hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of people in my networks, and, hard as it is to believe. Nothing. Nothing.
To want to work. To want to help another company grow. To just want to be valued for something. I'm a smart, driven guy with ambition and a skill set that reaches far and wide with the ability to learn and adapt to whatever the hell I need to. But...ugh, you can't even imagine the frustration I feel on a daily basis. And, having to tell my parents this....that's what really kills me the most.
I need someone to please, please, help me find a job. My dad finally broke down and mentioned to one of his acquaintances my dire situation, so if I move all the way back to Milwaukee and back in with my parents I'll have a $12/hr job as an apprentice machinist, but he knows this is a last, last, last resort. I know that it is. Because it will be the moment I give up, pretty much completely. But, one that I'm honestly considering because I'm at the end of my rope. And let me tell you, it's been a very, very, long rope.
To the network of people I've come to see as early adopter, forward thinkers, willing to take a chance and give opportunities to people and projects they see as worthy. You can ask anyone I know, anyone who's spent more than an hour with me, my endless drive and refusal to take time for myself, all in the search for survival. People keep asking me what I do in my free time and I always give a little laugh. Every minute of my day is filled with something that is either creation, networking, application, or learning.
I'm not looking for a handout. I'm looking for an opportunity. I'm currently LA based, but, really, I'd go anywhere right about now if it meant being able to work, to get paid, to be valued for something. Steemit has already begun to help me re-establish my confidence as many react to my writings and work, and slowly the financial bit will kick in over time.
If you know of some kind of work, any kind of work, in any part of the country, world, whatever, I'm down. Seriously. If it's helping other people, so much the better. If it's creating, awesome. If it's managing, been there done that, and done it well. Name a job and I've probably got at least part of the skill set.
Lion taming? I used to train horses.
Building homes in far off places? Hand me a hammer. I've built countless fences.
Cleaning barns? Been there, done that.
Hands dirty, hands clean, don't really care.
I've heard like 99% of them and the chances of you hitting on that 1% is gonna be very, very, low. I'm looking for that person to say, 'Would you be willing to do XXXX?' Or, 'Get ahold of this person.' Greedy, I know. But if I have to listen to one more person suggest I try wedding photography I'm gonna scream. Not because I don't want to do it, but as with all aspects of creative work, if you don't have a portfolio, you gotta build one. Which would take away from all the other avenues I'm currently vested in. Got time and money for that? I sure as heck don't. I need work, now.
But I'm seriously in one of those places where, as I look around, I don't see any way out. I don't see any paths forward (other than here, but, that's long term). I know there are so many amazing people here and that if the universe just gives me an inch, a little bit of an in to regain my life, I'm gonna take a whole damn mile, and keep on going. I hate asking, but, seriously, after 8 years of job hunting, I'm tapped...and the more I ask the people I know the further they pull away.
Michael
Cover shot was taken when my family used frequent flier miles to take me to Prague with them. I spent 4 of the 8 days shooting for agencies (unpaid of course bc why pay creatives nowadays) which made my sister grumble, but, she understood that I have to take advantage of any opportunity that comes my way. My family is the most amazing...without them...I couldn't even imagine where I'd be right now.
