A few years ago I was ready for the chapter of life after school, yet I didn't know what's next. Following the recession that took place, something I wasn't aware of that much until now, the jobs for young people began to decline. I thought I was ready for life in the real world but no, dreadful things happened. Unemployment rose across North America I think, though much worse in Europe, especially Greece and Spain. Jobs that now require experience and higher education or people are over qualified for jobs I attempt to apply for.
By the time I graduated from school, I've gone to countless and sometimes worthless employment programs. The first program I went to was YES (Youth Employment Services). Although it was helpful of me to learn about writing a résumé, cover letters, among other things, the result was terrible. I did not get a job as I expected to. What a bummer! After the program, I had nowhere to go as I struggled to find a job. I can't recall how many resumes I gave, or interviews I got. Maybe about 10 resumes and few job interviews. I gave up and attended Griffin Centre, which is an organization that deals with ASD, LGBT and others. While I was there, I was offered a volunteer position at the Scott Mission, a place where low income people can get clothes and eat lunch there. I had loved what I was doing: packaging food and other items for distribution, stocking food on shelves, tidying the warehouse and sorting clothes.
Afterwards I went to the second program called Project Work. I thought it would be an opportunity for me to have my first job since I never had one, well I did have one but it doesn't count, which was newspaper delivery. Later it didn't turn out what I thought it would. I intended to work part time, though the jobs require evenings and weekends. I wanted to work either in a retail store or the kitchen. So I turned it down and moved on to another program called JVS, but it didn't work out for me. I tried Career Dynamics Network, Hawkins Institute, Corbrook, March of Dimes and Woodgreen. OMG. These are worthless. I wanted to get a job right away and I spend days delivering resumes and cover letters to nearly every store or copnay I wanted to work for, from McDonald's to Tim Hortons to Aritzia to Loblaws. So frustrating I gave up.
Then the latest program I went to was the Toronto Learning Disabilities District and it was a success, as I was offered a job placement at the bakery. And I did not get a job at the end. See what I mean. The hardest part was looking for a job that doesn't require an experience, higher education, working nights, heavy lifting and multitasking. Every time I applied for jobs like this, it's almost always filled in or me rejected. I felt so discouraged. And hopeless. Finally after several months of hardships, I finally found the right place. Now I'm at the YMCA and I can't believe I'm going to work at a local amusement park in a couple of weeks! My saving grace is my joy. Joy is the new spirit! Someday I will pursue a career when I decide to move to Vancouver, if I save enough money.
22 Apr 2014, 3:19 pm
