Last week I shared a review of the book Waiting For Change, written by Dr. Christina McCale.
Dr. McCale knows first hand, the hard reality of unemployment and I'm thrilled to announce that she has agreed to participate in a 6-Week series here at UnEMPLOYED Faith.
The series, Ask Dr. McCale will be posted every Friday (starting today) through August 3rd.
Here's a sneak peek of a few of the topics that will be discussed:
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Getting past the humiliation of food stamps and going to a food bank
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Making big decisions after a layoff
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Coping with unemployment, from a mother's perspective
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How to support and talk to a loved one who is out of work
You won't want to miss this!
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First, let's get to know Dr.McCale a little better.
Q: Dr. McCale, for those who have not read Waiting For Change yet, can you share a little bit about yourself?
While I may not seem all that “similar” to many people, the irony is we all have far more in common than perhaps one might realize initially. I was the kid who always did the “right” thing, stayed out of trouble, and worked hard. As my folks could not afford to send me to college, I worked full time throughout my bachelors, masters, and doctoral studies.
I started my career in journalism – dreaming of being the next Barbara Walters or Connie Chung. But one day there was a new news director and he told many of us that he was “drawing a line” and that everyone had to have a degree to stay in the newsroom. I was 6 months shy of having my BA, but he couldn’t play favorites.
A marketing professor who also owned an advertising agency once told me when I “woke up and realized I was too smart to be in news” he would give me my first job in marketing. So when this happened – I called him and took him up on his offer – a move that changed the course of my life. I then spent the next 15-20 years in marketing departments for some very well known companies.
But one day, right around the tech bubble burst, I had to look at myself and ask “is this really all there is?” I didn’t love my work. I didn’t like some of the behaviors I was seeing at work. And when I had asked for more stimulating work I was sent back to school to get a second masters in marketing.
Eventually I was able to take a “package.” As I was departing the firm, during that last week I had innumerable coffees, lunches, drinks with people asking me what were my plans? Where was I going to go? I had no idea – but it wasn’t going to be at that firm.
One by one each person asked, suggested or offered that they thought I would make a good university professor, backing up their statements from experiences they had had with me, and how I was able to connect the theories that they had learned years ago in their BA or MBA, but never made sense until I connected the dots to what they were currently experiencing.
Again, that experience changed the course of my life. I taught a few courses to see if I liked it –and found that I loved the classroom as much as the students reported liking me. That, and the advice of several other professors and deans, propelled me to get my doctorate.
Of course life doesn’t sit still: during this last segment of time I got married, bought a house and had two kids.
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Unemployment: Think It Won't Happen To You?
One of the things Dr. McCale discusses in her book is that unemployment affects everyone. White collar. Blue collar. The highly educated. Teenagers. Recent college graduates. Women. Men. All races. All religions.
Nobody's job is secure in this Great Recession.
Am I bringing this up to frighten you? No. It's simply to make you aware of the reality our nation is facing. 23 million Americans are living the nightmare of unemployment. Many are wondering this very moment where the money will come to pay the rent. Of course, if you are one of them, you don't need me or Dr. McCale to tell you how very real it is. You already painfully know.
What's your recession story? We'd love for you to share in the comments below.
Join us back here again next Friday for Week 2: The Inspiration Behind Waiting for Change.
Is your husband unemployed? Are your emotions completely out of control because of it? I know exactly how you feel. I've been right there with you (for 3 long years) and I know how hard it is. Get your copy of UnEMPLOYED Faith today for only $4.99. In the book, I share the raw details of my story, while also offering 10 different tried and true coping tips for enduring your season of unemployment with strength and perseverance.
Also available for FREE download is this helpful resource: Praying Him Through Unemployment: 6 Week Prayer Guide.
Great post. I think we lock ourselves into thinking "it can't happen to us" and it is so great that your resources are there to inspire and inform!
Hi - thanks for sharing that!
I think that's one of the biggest issues those who are unemployed face: the twin issues of thinking that "it won't happen to me."
For some, they have a false sense of security because of (and fill in the blank here - they have a degree, they have "enough" experience, they're in a good industry...). And so when the pink slip happens, they're often blindsided.
For others, they feel the judgement of friends and family who believe that "if you are unemployed you must have done something wrong, are lazy, don't have an education, whatever..."
The challenge is to realize that in this economy, you can do all the right things, be the good employee, do what you're "supposed to do"and still see a pink slip regardless.
Thanks for sharing!
While I do agree unemployment is impacting everyone statistics prove, it has a disproportionate impact on those without college degrees. Sad if you ask me.
You're right. And it is sad.
No matter what the reason, people who are unemployed have a hard road ahead of them and deserve the support of friends and family.
Thanks for sharing!
cm
What a great series! Can't wait to follow it each week! We've not experienced unemployment, and hopefully won't have to, but you never know!
Oh Joy- you are truly lucky!
What I found through my own experience and from others is that there are a lot of people who are part of the unemployed underground - those who are keeping it from friends and family for as long as they can because they are afraid of the shame and judgement that ofte comes with unemployment.
So you never know... But I hope not.
Thank you for sharing!
cm
Hey there! It's been a while - lovely to see your beautiful blog again!
This is very uplifting. What a great idea to have her share each Friday! When my child support ends, I'll be feeling the full impact of being unemployed. It's a little nerve-wracking, but I'm doing what I can to prepare and trusting God for the rest.
Love and blessings,
Lisa
Hi Lisa! Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit.
I hope you've been well. Hopefully your child support won't end anytime too soon. I'm sure God has something beautiful in store for you when it does.
Blessings my friend!
~Rosann
Hi Lisa -
Oh I am so sorry to hear that. Impending doom looming in the future is never a good feeling. I hope the best for you.
cm
I'm not unemployed, but as a teacher I feel the effects of budgets and pink slips every spring. Thank you for your post.
You are so very lucky - but equally hard is that feeling of "survivor" -- those who are left behind after good friends and colleagues have been let go. That, too, can be such a hard experience.
Thank you so much for your readership.
I hope the best for you.
cm