Today I attended an Online JobSearch workshop. My local library (which I cherish) has been hosting job and career-oriented programs for at least 2 years now. The facility was substantial, but the crowd was small. Plus I kept getting this feeling that this crowd is "The Crowd"- that is the same group of people who always attend, the guaranteed group of 10 people who are so frustrated but can't convince themselves to call it quits.
All-in-all it was a pleasant experience. Everyone had lots of advice, questions, and an optimism I honestly did not expect.
However, I couldn't help feeling out of place. For starters it took the hosts at least twenty-five minutes to get the projector/laptop/internet working. They had to call in the IT guy just to pull up an additional tab on Google. I got worried then.
I was even more worried when one of the library staff members recieved the shock of her life. Literally- the shock of her life. Somehow, in plugging in the projector, she shorted the entire system. Little amber sparks went flying everywhere and the whole room went dark. Fortunately no one was hurt. And with a little more technical difficulty, the workshop did commence. -- I tell you, you want job security- be the IT guy. Be that guy.
Really though, I felt out of place. I couldn't help thinking that this workshop was not for me. I'm going to make a BIG DISCLAIMER HERE: I am in no way "dissing" this workshop or all those hard working people who attend them. They do serve their purpose. HOWEVER, I feel like many of them are geared toward an older generation of job seekers. More specifically, our moms and dads.
For starters, almost every workshop I have attended (outside of college) has put a large emphasis on computer literacy, encouraged computer training, how-to courses & workshops... Like last week, I went to a (mandatory) workshop for my unemployment. Now I can understand why the government would insist upon job training for those on unemployment- can't have people just living on Gov'ment funds, but the whole experience really adds insult to injury. Not only do you not have a job, they send you a letter requesting your presence at this workshop because YOU MUST need assistance in finding a gig, you must not have a gig b/c you are NOT DOING EVERYTHING possible, you are inadequate somehow. So its 9:15 am at the local community college and a hoge-poge of people. They pass out pamphlets on computer literacy classes, keyboard classes, and refresher courses on MS Office. There's even staff to help you set up (mandatory) online profiles. My first thought is how do I get that gig. Helping 40-somethings master social media and search engines. I can do THAT for 40 hours a week.
My second thought is- I did this already. I've. Done. This. Nowadays you cannot graduate from college without the basic knowledge Illinois Unemployment Services believes is doing me a frikken favor by giving me. So I'm sitting there trying to pretend to absorb this "valuable" information that I would not have otherwise obtained unless I attended this (mandatory) workshop-supposedly.
Getting back on target: Where the hell are the workshops for people who JUST spent 40 grand on a couple degrees, or an MBA. All of us who need more than PowerPoint training to give us an edge in the workforce. Those of us who need experience to get a decent job, but can't get a decent gig to gain experience... yeah that shit. Let me know, where's our workshop?
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