The New Face of Unemployment

Obviously, the state of the U.S. (and World, actually) economy has been the subject of headlines for years now.  I remember the shock, then the resignation, as field after field of employment started taking hits and jobs everywhere were cut.  I will fully admit, I was completely blown away when it hit law firms, particularly large law firms.  Both staff and attorneys had previously felt at least somewhat secure in their choice of employment--most considered their positions to be careers.  But starting a few years ago, that security went out the window.

None of this, however, is news.  What surprises me is that it seems to still be going on.  Sure, there aren't the mass-layoffs that made the news.  But now things are much more covert.  And now that I think about it, the remnants of careers are everywhere.  For example, I have a friend who (wait for it...) is a lawyer in Chicago.  She has been without a job for over a year now.  And she commented the other day that her application to be a checker at Target was rejected.  Sure, she had some personal issues that contributed, but who hasn't?  Also, I'm not the only graduate of my high school who has found him/herslef back home.  A guy who was a stock broker in LA is now working for his dad here in Montana.  Another friend who was in accounting in Seattle is here and looking for a job.  People everywhere are finding themselves re-evaluating what how they once viewed their careers (and, subsequently, their lives).  Even those senior enough to have relatively secure jobs are finding themselves with far less pay than they were making a few years ago.  I know-many of you are saying "poor rich people."  But when you live in a city in which decent (we're talking being relatively sure your 1 year old won't come home selling crack) child care is no less than (not exaggerating here) $30,000 per year, things tend to add up.

As I mentioned when I started this rant, the situation is awful but it also sort of makes me feel better (because it is, after all, about me).  Seriously, though, I can attest to how much watching a career you fought for years for, and paid a small fortune to obtain, go down in flames can suck.  I know the complete, paralyzing fear of wondering how you're going to support your child.  And I know the embarrassment of answering the question "so what are you doing these days" with "not much."  But you're not alone.  In fact, I can't say I know of more than 4 people who haven't had to deal with it on some level in recent years.  And the rest of us are all getting by.  The guy working for his dad has the business making more than it ever has.  A friend who felt the big-firm axe is now owner of her own, very successful firm.  And I have a friend who even chucked it all and headed out into the world to see what is there.  And those of us still putting together the pieces are figuring things out and still eating far more than we should be.  And that's sort of freeing, really.  I repeat--you're not alone.  So hold your head up high, think outside of the box, and see what comes your way. 

I'll get to work on living by that advice, just as soon as I pay this law school loan....