Hi all,
Finding a job with HCM has been tough, and i sure could use some advice from anyone who has any to give. I'm not depressed (yet), just a little lost, and i figured nobody can understand this better than my fellow hcm'ers.
No employer seems to want to hire someone who lost his last job due to health problems, and i can't say i really blame them. Since my employer fought my unemployment (they just didn't buy this whole 'hcm' thing) god only knows what they are telling people when they call for references. And no employer wants to hear about things that you 'can't do' in a job interview, as the HCM issue inevitably comes up. I've had to admit finally that my career in archaeology is just plain over, forever. I only ever wanted to do it if i could do the outdoor work, and i can't do the heavy labor anymore for 8 to 10 hours a day. But i'm not really skilled or educated in anything else, at least not enough to land a job.
The OVR office called me several weeks ago (finally... i filled out those applications months ago) and told me that i do qualify for retraining, which may include technical or graduate school. This would mean starting all over again, at 40, which is kinda scary. It also means being somewhat dependent on my family for a while, which no 40 yo wants to do.
But going back to school does have it's advantages... health insurance (which is a biggie), help from the OVR with housing, and also some federal and state grants and low-interest loans to help pay for it as well. Going back to school also gives me a chance to rebuild things from scratch, as an HCM'er this time, if that makes any sense at all.
The OVR took their time letting me know about all this. It's really late in the year to get into any kind of degree program now. Also, as soon as i accept a job offer, any job offer, it all goes away. No more OVR. But as soon as i sign up with the OVR, my unemployment goes away since i won't actively be seeking work.
I need to make a decision, and fast, and my brain feels like it's going to explode!
Any ideas or similar situations anyone has been in?
Jim
Finding a job with HCM has been tough, and i sure could use some advice from anyone who has any to give. I'm not depressed (yet), just a little lost, and i figured nobody can understand this better than my fellow hcm'ers.
No employer seems to want to hire someone who lost his last job due to health problems, and i can't say i really blame them. Since my employer fought my unemployment (they just didn't buy this whole 'hcm' thing) god only knows what they are telling people when they call for references. And no employer wants to hear about things that you 'can't do' in a job interview, as the HCM issue inevitably comes up. I've had to admit finally that my career in archaeology is just plain over, forever. I only ever wanted to do it if i could do the outdoor work, and i can't do the heavy labor anymore for 8 to 10 hours a day. But i'm not really skilled or educated in anything else, at least not enough to land a job.
The OVR office called me several weeks ago (finally... i filled out those applications months ago) and told me that i do qualify for retraining, which may include technical or graduate school. This would mean starting all over again, at 40, which is kinda scary. It also means being somewhat dependent on my family for a while, which no 40 yo wants to do.
But going back to school does have it's advantages... health insurance (which is a biggie), help from the OVR with housing, and also some federal and state grants and low-interest loans to help pay for it as well. Going back to school also gives me a chance to rebuild things from scratch, as an HCM'er this time, if that makes any sense at all.
The OVR took their time letting me know about all this. It's really late in the year to get into any kind of degree program now. Also, as soon as i accept a job offer, any job offer, it all goes away. No more OVR. But as soon as i sign up with the OVR, my unemployment goes away since i won't actively be seeking work.
I need to make a decision, and fast, and my brain feels like it's going to explode!
Any ideas or similar situations anyone has been in?
Jim
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