No Learning Curve

Our society was formed through a long process of trial and error; unfortunately those pioneers forgot their mistakes and only accept "perfect people". You have to have the right school, the right training, and the right experience before anyone will give you a chance. In today's society, those entering the work force no longer get a learning curve unless he/she knows someone.

I went into a temp agency and the people who worked there wouldn't send me on an administrative assistant job because I'd never used the software that they use at that particular office. Now I did however take the aptitude test and passed that section; I just wonder why they made me test on the software if it "experience" was the only qualification. Even if I had failed the aptitude test, they couldn't put good faith into a person with a Master of Science? Furthermore, why did the company even post that position; I'm sure there was an able-bodied janitor at the company who could have learned the software. I've learned that some of the people who do the "lowest" jobs are highly skilled; some of them just had to take what they could get.

Speaking of hiring within the company...Someone close to me worked his way up to a lucrative position with a large provider of professional services to energy, resource, and complex process industries base in Austrailia. After he was promoted, you'd think they'd give at least an employee within their company a crack at the position but no, they hired an outside person. If I worked at that company, I'd be a little peeved...

Just a few thoughts. It upsets me that people don't get a learning curve anymore. They put us through torture in school then we grow up and can't even use the information because no one paid us to use the information. I just don't think it's fair.

No Formula for Success

After years of suggesting that the reason I haven't found a high-paying job is because I was doing something wrong, someone finally admitted that it may not be my fault. He is a manager at his company and has recently been charged with interviewing candidates. He interviewed 3 candidates for a position but the company decided to contract the services rather than hire a permanent employee.

I guess I knew this all along but when you don't get what you picture as "success" you start to doubt yourself. In the past few years I've been meeting with people to get their "formula for success" and I've found out that there isn't one. I've talked with 3 people whose situations are similar to the picture I had of success: a PR Manager, a Media Coordinator, and an Associate Producer.

Sydney went to college and majored in English Literature. At the end of her educational career she didn't know what she wanted to do. After Talking to her sister, she moved across the country and worked as a PR Manager's assistant where she "learned the ropes" of PR. She has worked with publications including Elle, Glamour, and Harper's Bazaar. Now she is an internationally known PR Manager. Contrast Sydney with my friend Jennifer. Jennifer went to school and majored in Communication then interned with a local PR Firm. The firm did not hire her and she now works in customer service.

Ashlee went to college and majored in Education. She moved away from home because her husband found a job in another city. Once relocated, Ashlee volunteered at her husband's job for years in creative arts. A manager in the media department noticed her work and she was offered a job at the same company in a different department. Compare Ashlee to me. I went to school for Media Production, have a MS in Communication, I've held 2 internships. I have yet to be hired and am rarely called in for an interview. In the last 3 years, I've had about 3 interviews. I now do contract work through my company ByJRochelle.

Stacey went to school and majored in broadcasting. She worked at a news station in a small town where she did everything because she could not find a job in her hometown. Even though she acquired a plethora of experience at that station since the staff was so small, she still couldn't get hired for a job above entry-level. When she finally did get hired, it was for an entry-level position and the thing that set her above the pack was her personal blog on being a vegetarian. She still is not where she thought she'd be but she's further than I am.

What I learned from getting to know a few people is that there is no formula for success and maybe I should define success as I go as not to drive myself crazy. What do you think?

...Impossible to Please God

I met with my new mentor Ashlee today and she is just such an awesome woman of God. She shared some of her wisdom and experience with me. She also encouraged me and we closed out with a prayer. Our meeting can be summed up into a scripture that she shared with me:

Hebrews 11:6 ...without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD

When you really believe that God is in control, it takes the pressure off and opens you to live in freedom. God has plans to give me a hope and a future, He knit me together in my mother's womb, and his purpose for my life is too big for me to mess up. I don't need to know exactly what I'm "supposed" to do I just have to believe God is who He says He is.


GOD REWARDS THOSE WHO DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM

I may not not get what I'm expecting, but I will be rewarded. My main concern has been that I've put so much work into honing my skills and serving others; I've been blessed tremendously but I don't have the advantages that the world values (i.e. money, high-powered position, etc...). That scripture, Ashlee's personal testimony, and the things that God has spoken to my heart really helped. Sometimes you just need someone to remind you whose you are and who you are.Ashlee recommended that I stay faithful and tell those around me that they need to, "back me up or back off". She also recommended that I become more aggressive with asking people for advice. Not only is it good to get another perspective (in life, in work, etc...) but it helps build relationships. Jesus said in Matthew 22:37-39, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.

So, in conclusion have faith and know that you'll get results. Build relationships along the way because really we're called to love God and love people. When you realize that you have no control, that an omnipresent omnicient omnipotent God has my life in His hands, and that the only thing that lasts is love, it takes the pressure off.

-- Jeniro is on the GO! Follow her @TheJRochelle

Background: I recently asked a friend to mentor me because honestly, I got to a point in life where I gave up; for years I worked hard in all areas of my life but my dreams remained deferred so I figured that there was no point to all my work.