Letter to the Newspaper Editor

I was told my whole life to work hard and good things will come. Yeah, that's a lie. I graduated college with a Bachelor's Degree in History to find managers more concerned that I fit into their work environment than if I was qualified to do the job. Studying in school, I never realized I had to win a personality contest to obtain a job. Then lacking actual experience in the world, I find entry level positions wanting 2-3 years experience. Even better, you have to be pretty to be offered a position by a male manager. Let's just say most of my managers have been female. I worked retail and a car rental to be regarded as uneducated and stupid by many customers. Had a customer ask if I wished I would have gotten an education to work a better paying job now. I answered back that I have a Bachelor's Degree and have nice day. I was even told by another customer I would never succeed in life because they didn't like my store's return policy. Whatever.

Been through the unemployment office four times when my business owner sold their company, my company needed to slash expenses, and my seasonal job reached the end of the season. I don't have a kid, own a car, and own a retirement account (and now own a house) so I cannot receive any public assistance when the unemployment benefits run out. Being unemployed I'm told I'm lazy because I refuse to get a job at McDonald's or as a waitress. I have torn tendons in my ankle and cannot stand up for eight hours. And food service jobs don't pay my rent let alone my groceries. Tried my hand at tax preparing to earn extra money, but seasonal work is not much of a career builder. Returned to collage at age 39 to receive an Associate degree in accounting at age 41, complete with honors. Found an office job to lose it when company needs to slash expenses. 44 and dismissed yet again, I'm told I'm unemployable because I was dismissed so I must be damaged goods, I want too much money, and too old to work even though I cannot withdraw social security for another twenty years. Ended up taking a hotel front desk job because due to Covid, the manager was desperate to hire anyone who showed up for their shift.

In my quest to pay off debt accumulated by returning to college and paying bills without income, I recently began a side gig selling homemade candles. I even been approved to sell my wares at a farmer's market. Who's laughing now remembering being told they are lazy, stupid, and unemployable? Now I dare dream of running my own gift shop someday.

Employers are creating their own worker shortage with their snobbery, unemployment bias, ageism, hair bias, algorithms, and making candidates jump through hoops with never-ending tests and interviews. They would reject an industrious, creative, smart, and persistent candidate and now maybe they will buy candles at a farmer's market from her. Employers, you never know what you might find looking behind the resume sitting in a chair across from you. I am in charge of my destiny so I will make my own money because I'm not going to get it from an employer. I hope this piece inspires others.