Post by Variety 1560 AM on Apr 8, 2018 6:45:44 GMT -7
First they came for the Taco Bell jobs, but I said nothing because I was smarter than that and studying in college.
Then they came for the undergraduate intern jobs, but I said nothing because I was a graduate student researcher.
Then they came for the graduate student jobs, but I said nothing because I was working an entry-level white-collar job for a Fortune 500 firm.
Then they automated away my entry-level job, but I said nothing because I was a skilled mid-level employee.
Then they eliminated the pension program, but I said nothing because I had a 401K.
Then they right-sized my group, but I said nothing because I was one of the few high performers they kept.
Then they eliminated the PPO and HMO and switched the entire company to a High Deductible plan, but I said nothing because we would not be delivering any babies or treating chronic conditions, and we were both less than 10 pounds overweight.
Then the landscape changed and my technical skills were useless, but I said nothing because I was in management.
Then the company was reorganized and I was finally let go, and I sought to pick up again.
My experience commanded too high a salary to net another management position. My technical skills were too rusty to get hired in another mid-level position. There were no entry-level white-collar positions left to apply to. The university required a PhD to teach. The undergraduate program tuition alone would cost my entire 401K and savings. I could not be a student and still draw unemployment.
I was no longer young enough to never get sick, and needed regular visits to the doctor.
I was too young to qualify for Medicare, yet had never argued to lower the eligibility age.
I finally applied to a Taco Bell job, where the manager remembered me from their days at the register. He refused to offer me a job because I failed to support his family when he needed health insurance. I threatened to sue and he laughed in my face saying "If you're applying for a job here then I already know you don't have enough money to sue. Welcome to capitalism my friend!"
Then they came for the undergraduate intern jobs, but I said nothing because I was a graduate student researcher.
Then they came for the graduate student jobs, but I said nothing because I was working an entry-level white-collar job for a Fortune 500 firm.
Then they automated away my entry-level job, but I said nothing because I was a skilled mid-level employee.
Then they eliminated the pension program, but I said nothing because I had a 401K.
Then they right-sized my group, but I said nothing because I was one of the few high performers they kept.
Then they eliminated the PPO and HMO and switched the entire company to a High Deductible plan, but I said nothing because we would not be delivering any babies or treating chronic conditions, and we were both less than 10 pounds overweight.
Then the landscape changed and my technical skills were useless, but I said nothing because I was in management.
Then the company was reorganized and I was finally let go, and I sought to pick up again.
My experience commanded too high a salary to net another management position. My technical skills were too rusty to get hired in another mid-level position. There were no entry-level white-collar positions left to apply to. The university required a PhD to teach. The undergraduate program tuition alone would cost my entire 401K and savings. I could not be a student and still draw unemployment.
I was no longer young enough to never get sick, and needed regular visits to the doctor.
I was too young to qualify for Medicare, yet had never argued to lower the eligibility age.
I finally applied to a Taco Bell job, where the manager remembered me from their days at the register. He refused to offer me a job because I failed to support his family when he needed health insurance. I threatened to sue and he laughed in my face saying "If you're applying for a job here then I already know you don't have enough money to sue. Welcome to capitalism my friend!"
