I'm so hood
I’m a lucky man. The last 9 months have been extremely rewarding for me, and I’m damn proud of what I’ve accomplished while unemployed. However, after reading more than a few unemployment horror stories from my Corn Heads, I admit that I do feel pretty guilty sharing my FUNemployed victories.
Since March I’ve been carrying on about being FUNemployed with pretty much everyone I’m connected to, grabbing laughs in the process. More than a few times my Facebook status has read, ”I’ve got 99 problems but a job ain’t one”, which has produced dozens of ‘likes’ from friends (don’t I look just like Jay Z above?) Maybe I’ve been a bit insensitive, but my current life situation presented an opportunity of a life time and I made the most of it. Is that so wrong?
My FUNemployed accomplishments:
- Started CornOnTheJob
- Traveled to Cancun, Key West, and Las Vegas
- Completed a prep-course for an HR certification, boosting my career street cred
- Attained close to 650 Twitter followers in just 4 months (follow me)
- My fan page on Facebook is nearing 400
- Connected with thousands of bloggers, job seekers, HR folk, and new buds. Here are some:
In December I’ll begin an entirely new career journey, which brings the end of my FUNemployment. Each accomplishment listed above played a part in this opportunity and I finding each other. I’m thrilled about the opportunity ahead of me, and will incorporate all I’ve learned and experienced into this new career, which I list as my final accomplishment.
What can you take away from this?
I think we can all agree that a job seekers ‘final destination’ is gaining new employment. FUNemployed or unemployed, finding work is necessary at some point. The path I took to gain employment is completely different than the next persons. When I lost my job in March, I felt my career had zero direction and I was completely lost. Each of the experiences and accomplishments listed above brought me closer to understanding the person I am, the potential I have, and the career I want/need to be happy. I was lost, and to find myself I needed to let go. Now, I’m not going to make you let go, but if you can afford to ease up on your grip, well then you just might find yourself.
If you could be FUNemployed for an extended period of time what would want to accomplish? Are you satisfied with your path?
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
Kudos to you for taking advantage of the time off. You’ve clearly done well for yourself. (Who the heck did the design of your blog – it looks so damn sexy).
Haha – seriously man, it’s been great to connect and I look forward to seeing what you have in store for the future. Cheers!
Thanks for the great design bud. It’s amazing!
This is your best one yet!!! Congrats!
Hi Debby – thanks so much! I’m very proud of this post as really brings me full circle with my accomplishments.
Congrats to you on taking advantage of an opportunity and truly making something of it! I’d spend the time working my tail off to get a couple of regular writing gigs, would travel, and do a lot more yoga
Hi Doniree, thanks for commenting! Is there anyway to plan more time in your life for yoga? Even if it means painfully waking up earlier? The travel may be tough, but maybe yoga can be figured out!
Rich, I think that’s awesome. The point is you made the best of the situation. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and almost reach a wring-of-the-hands kind of mode. I saw a stat this week that as of August something like 796,000 people had completely given up and exiting the workforce and not trying any more. If these people had the fortitude to be FUNemployed and make things happen (i.e. take some cues from people like you), well, there’d be a ton more things happening in the country AND probably a lot more happy people. Way to go, Rich!
I’m SO glad we connected too. You’re so a new fav, even if you totally look like you’re from the hood…
And, if I wasn’t working my tail off making the writing gigs happen, well…I’d travel to Philly and see my new friend!
<3 you, dear!
Thanks, Sharalyn. My fear is that a lot of those people have families and shouldn’t give up, obviously. Some can’t live a FUNemployed life when they lose their job, but I think its an attitude more than anything.
Yes, I do look like I’m from the hood! Thanks!
I’m psyched we’ve connected as I really appreciate the value your provide, both here and also in comments on other blogs.
I wish more people had your approach. Just because you’re unemployed doesn’t mean there’s not TONS of things you could be doing to get ahead. And sometimes that means just taking a step back and re-evaluating where you want to go, and how to get there. Sometimes it’s just taking a break so you don’t burn out.
Best of luck with your new endeavors. Please keep updated and let me know if you ever need help with anything.
Thanks, Ryan! I was lost 9 months ago and with each experience/achievement above I came one step closer to understanding what I need (even the travel helped). My new opportunity is one that excited and also scares me. I took a risk 9 months ago by deciding to completely leave where I was…hopefully this risk works out for me as well.
You forgot to include me on the list!
Love the post. You have no reason to apologize for making the most of this situation.
Ronica – you truly have been one of the best contacts I’ve made. It was late, and I forgot you. Don’t worry, you are in now!
Rich, it’s been great meeting someone with such hood street cred as yourself as well.
I think that if more people took the approach that you have had in your FUNemployment there would be much more job satisfaction, and life satisfaction in general. We are always so desperate to jump into opportunities and various other things that we forget that we need to make sure that we are doing something we can be passionate about in the process. Congrats on setting the wheels in motion and positioning yourself to chase your dreams!
PS – What gives?! I would think one of your accomplishments during FUNemployment would be becoming a #BlogCrush. Jeepers…
Elisa – wow, I wrote that at around 3am and not only did I forget to include a great contact (ronica), but I forgot to add my #blogcrush. That is getting updated and put in!
Thanks for your support and comment! The #blogcrush really did make me proud!
Wow! gud work n keep it up
I’m so proud of you, Rich! You are such a great person, I’m glad you’ve found out more about yourself in the last 9 months, most people don’t have that opportunity. HIGH FIVE!
Learning how to be unemployed at a young stage in my career… my entry into the workforce lasted only a year…yes ouch! i’m glad i’m here reading your blogs…
Hi Sajjida, sorry to hear that and thanks for sharing. How is your job search looking these days?
let’s see, i started looking as soon as I was let go – Nov. 5th due to a project that I was hired to “help with” – the technical project that never launched…I heard the clients made an issue with billing for lunch for the consultants…then never signed the deal…
I have cold called several employers that were on-campus recruiting last year when I graduated…those that I did get a response from said that they are not hiring and if they consider something it will not be until the second half of 2010.
Other than that I’m on most job boards…even on craiglist…yeah…there’s no posting for entry/associate level…it could be the time of the yr.
I may take the route of being trained by a 3rd party company and work thru them for their client…like a Microsoft BI training company that i am in contact with…it’s a commitment though 3 yrs i beleive
If not I may switch gears altogether and be an educator – Business n Technology…sounds cool to me
Other than that hanging in here is tough…but I’m sure I’ll get thru
I like the educator idea. It’s a rewarding experience, and something that is very admirable. Put serious thought into it!
Here’s to Student Loans and Financial Aids!
Will you be at the Flanigan Boat House?
All of these decisions are made for a reason. The payoff is clearly huge! Congrats on doing what few have the courage to do and now, for getting nominated by Brazen!
Thanks, Lindsey, you are a great friend and I always appreciate your support.
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