Login | Register


Wire and Cable Technology Blog

The Wire and Cable Technology Blog is the place for conversation and discussion about power cables; cable assemblies; cable manufacturing & testing; and cable ducts, trays and accessories. Here, you'll find everything from application ideas, to news and industry trends, to hot topics and cutting edge innovations. This blog is inspired by the Wire & Cable Technology newsletter from GlobalSpec, which you can subscribe to here.

Previous in Blog: Are Millennials Really That Different?   Next in Blog: Will We Even Need Power Cables?
Close

Comments Format:






Close

Subscribe to Discussion:

CR4 allows you to "subscribe" to a discussion
so that you can be notified of new comments to
the discussion via email.

Close

Rating Vote:







9 comments

How Do You Help?

Posted July 18, 2009 7:37 AM

I recently attended a meeting of local techies. The first item on the agenda was to go around the table and introduce ourselves. I was amazed when a third of them said that they were currently unemployed and looking for new jobs. These people aren't factory workers, but people with MBAs and Master's degrees in engineering. When I run into folks like this, I try to help by keeping my eyes and ears open for opportunities and pass them along when appropriate, but I'm not sure I'm doing all I could. If you were in my shoes, what would you do? How do you help your friends and family who are looking for work?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Wire & Cable Technology, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Wire & Cable Technology today.


Interested in this topic? By joining CR4 you can "subscribe" to
this discussion and receive notification when new comments are added.
Guru

Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Long Island NY
Posts: 924
Good Answers: 49
#1

Re: How Do You Help?

07/18/2009 12:59 PM

As far as locating work itself for your friends and family, it sounds like you're doing all that can be expected. Keep it up. Since they are your friends and family, keeping their spirits up can help both you and them. So doing things with them that are easy on their budget can go along way. Have a barbecue at your house. Certainly don't flaunt that you have a job. You want to keep them your friends. Be considerate of their circumstance. Expect some emotional venting. We all need to occasionally complain against the gods of misfortune. But there is no simple single thing that you can do to help your friends but to be there for them.

__________________
There are 10 types of people. People who understand binary and those who don't.
Power-User

Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NY
Posts: 322
Good Answers: 17
#2

Re: How Do You Help?

07/19/2009 12:55 AM

"Networking" using local and online support groups is a great way to locate your next job. I'd suggest joining sites like

http://www.linkedin.com

if they haven't done so already. Local groups are also very useful if you can find one in your area.

Even if you have a job, cultivating existing and new contacts using these resources now can save you a lot of grief IF you need to change jobs in the future. You may even become the link that directly helps someone get back to work. Best wishes!

Guru

Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Mumbai, India
Posts: 638
Good Answers: 7
#3

Re: How Do You Help?

07/19/2009 7:04 AM

Have they registered themselves with Placement Agencies for Engineering Jobs?.I think they can offer some jobs. There are few who advertise in CR4 also.

Suresh Sharma.

__________________
"Engineers should not look for jobs but should create jobs for others" by Dr.Radhakrishnan Ex President of India during my collage passing out day
Power-User

Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 318
Good Answers: 11
#4

Re: How Do You Help?

07/20/2009 12:40 PM

This post is not meant to hurt any unemployed graduates or engineers. Is there any assurance that a particular degree guarantees immediate and speculative career?

If the person had pursued a degree -was it trend driven or self decided or based on advice from others.

There is one thing dignity of labour that in developed countries no job is rated inferior and people readily do all jobs.

It seems the educated looks for jobs involving no hardships and build life without basement.

It is about situational adaptability and one should strive to get engaged, without attachment to lavish expectations.

This readiness and free from hesitations and accepting every thing as good jobs can divert people from being idle.

If you don't get what you aspire ,manage with what is available and start the life journey.

The loud selling vendor on the roads and his positive attitude, a lesson to one and all.

Associate

Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 53
#5

Re: How Do You Help?

07/20/2009 3:34 PM

Papen is a local group in our area that helps unemployed and under employed professionals. Sort of a job trading fair thats allows you access to all types of professionals in your area. They are national and may be a good source for your local techies who are looking for work.

Power-User

Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: South of Minot North Dakota
Posts: 433
Good Answers: 42
#6

Re: How Do You Help?

07/26/2009 11:38 AM

I know a few people like that as well. I have found them jobs with fair pay and reasonable hours but they wouldn't take them. It was work below their educational standards. "I am an engineer. I don't do manual labor". Was the most common reason given as the guy mows his yard or spends a 10 hour day working on his house waiting for his next welfare/unemployment check to show up.

I try to find work for others whenever I can but most still don't feel they should be doing physical work or actual work that involves actually getting out and being useful. There seems to be a unfounded and very self centered pride with many higher level educated people I have dealt with. Aparantly its better to sit home and slowly go in debt than get out and work where your skills may just get you noticed by someone that can place you some where that you can feel happy about.

I own my own business and my work is often labor intensive even though my educational back ground and knowledge may be more suited to an office or management job now. I may be my only employee and the pay is not always great but I at least have a job and have work.

__________________
Those who can, will. Those who cant, will get jobs in positions of power over those who can and then promptly stop them! -- tcmtech
Guru

Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Long Island NY
Posts: 924
Good Answers: 49
#7
In reply to #6

Re: How Do You Help?

07/27/2009 9:51 AM

Now you start getting into some of the paradoxes of our social safety net. When the temporary unemployment checks are significantly higher than minimum wage, why would a well schooled individual take a manual labor job. Work harder to get paid less would entice only a fool. While this paradox typically fades when the unemployment disappears, it sometimes trains the individual to happily live with less money while experiencing less stress. If any individual chooses to leave the rat race knowing the good and the bad consequences, then I call that an informed adult choice. Besides, it's only a distorted view of the Puritan ethic that all people must work at the peak of their potential all the time.

Speaking hypothetically and a little hyperbolically, somebody who previously had a six figure income taking a minimum wage job immediately after loosing their job might look like somebody who cannot manage money well. This can preclude obtaining a job in their field in the future.

While it is good that you offer to help them with work outside of their studied field, it is their right to refuse. If they are contented with the life this choice gives them support them in this decision. Now offer your job prospect to somebody who does need it.

__________________
There are 10 types of people. People who understand binary and those who don't.
Guru
Popular Science - Biology - life lover Hobbies - Musician - music lover Safety - Hazmat - better safe than sorry United Arab Emirates - Member - desert trek Technical Fields - Procurement - procurement

Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Dubai, UAE
Posts: 610
Good Answers: 49
#8

Re: How Do You Help?

08/17/2009 8:45 AM

I'd suggest to them to post their CVs in jobsites such as HotJobs, Monster, and other headhunter sites, and also directly to company's sites which allow posting of CVs.

it's the way we look for jobs here in the UAE, and it's the way we get discovered by employers, too.

__________________
Watch out now, take care. Beware of the thoughts that linger, winding up inside your head. - George Harrison, "Beware of Darkness", Album: All Things Must Pass, 1970
Guru
Technical Fields - Technical Writing - New Member

Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Vancleave, Ms about 30 miles inland from Biloxi and the coast
Posts: 671
Good Answers: 22
#9

Re: How Do You Help?

08/28/2009 12:33 PM

When I was out of work, I went the "job shop" path. I was able to get some good high paying jobs; although temporary and I had to be away from home. My last assignment landed me a permanent job, but I am now retired from the rat race. In today's company down-sizing, engineers are not exempt from job cuts. Companies often cut their higher priced staff to save money. (A big mistake in my opinion). When the economy is in the condition it now is, companies turn to job shops to fill their employment needs. Job shops cost the companies much less than a permanent employee with the added benefit they can be terminated with little or no notice. They don't have to pay benefits to a permanent employee and there is little training required. This could now be a good opportunity for unemployed engineers and others to make big bucks and find a good company. Sometimes we have to make a sacrifice with family, but as long as it's temporary, it all works out for the best.

__________________
Ron, a Yankee by birth, a Mississippian by choice
9 comments
Interested in this topic? By joining CR4 you can "subscribe" to
this discussion and receive notification when new comments are added.
Copy to Clipboard

Users who posted comments:

langyaw (1), mjb1962853 (1), redfred (2), roadapple (1), ronseto (1), s.udhayamarthandan (1), suresh sharma (1), tcmtech (1)

Previous in Blog: Are Millennials Really That Different?   Next in Blog: Will We Even Need Power Cables?
You might be interested in: Power Transformers, Career Management and Placement Services, Product Training