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walkwithheroesI graduated with a B.S. in Child and Family Studies back in December and have yet to find a job. I've been on several interviews, but nothing. The thing is, it seems like all entry level jobs in my area require you to drive. (Even office jobs for the front desk.) The thing is, I'm physically disabled and cannot drive.
Which was fine. I was getting over the disappointment and looking into different fields. I went to minimum wage jobs in retail - they wouldn't have me. So, last week I went to a job fair and got an interview with a non-profit. It was for 'support coordinator'. I thought: 'Oh, pointing people toward the correct resources. I can do that! I studied that!' Well, today I had that interview.
Firstly, my interview was at ten, but the interviewers didn't see me until 10:05. A little late, but not an issue. There is a tropical storm headed toward us. There were three ladies interviewing me. Right away they mentioned that they served clients all over the state. I started to worry, but their reps at the Job Fair didn't mention having to drive when I asked. Well, the Director talked for quite a while, and than it was my turn. They wanted to know if I could review cases with my clients around the parish. I started carefully,
"Well, I can't drive. However, I have a driver and. . ." I went on. I could see the blond woman, Angela, trying to break in. But, I was determined to show my knowledge and skills. Maybe that was a mistake. Maybe I should have stopped the interview and told them that couldn't do the job and thank them for their time. Because, Angela stopped me with a harsh tone: "You need to drive for this job." (I suppose she thought I should know, but honestly I'd never heard of them before the Job Fair.)
Her tone was just so harsh and her eyes were glaring and I just wanted to break down in sobs. She made me feel like I was purposefully wasting her time. One of the other ladies walked me out and was polite enough. She helpfully told me that "nearly all jobs require driving these days." and that the Job Fair people "probably didn't know they need drivers." (It seems that clients no longer go to the non-profits -as they did when I was a child - no, the non-profits now visit their homes.)
I got out the door and bursts into tears. I cried all the way home. Hours later, I still want to cry. That woman's look and tone took me by surprise and was just so harsh. And the worst bit is, the whole thing too ten minutes. Ten minutes and they had me sobbing. Oh, and it was my first interview in three months.
I know that the one thing stopping me from starting my career is the the simple fact that I cannot drive. I honestly feel so useless and unwanted. I tried so hard in school and did so well. I won awards, studied hard, had a great GPA. And, nobody wants me. Retail doesn't want me because I'm too slow, as I can only use one hand. Every other job I could do: in offices, in doctor's offices, at non-profits, in lawyer's offices, at companies around town all want me to drive or want someone with more experience. More experience, I can take. But, how can I get it when every entry-level job I quality for wants me to drive?! Honestly, I just feel useless and I don't know what to do anymore.
I know I don't want to sale things or be in customer service, as I'm too softhearted. I just want to be of use. So far, it's not going well.
Pity-party/rant over.
Which was fine. I was getting over the disappointment and looking into different fields. I went to minimum wage jobs in retail - they wouldn't have me. So, last week I went to a job fair and got an interview with a non-profit. It was for 'support coordinator'. I thought: 'Oh, pointing people toward the correct resources. I can do that! I studied that!' Well, today I had that interview.
Firstly, my interview was at ten, but the interviewers didn't see me until 10:05. A little late, but not an issue. There is a tropical storm headed toward us. There were three ladies interviewing me. Right away they mentioned that they served clients all over the state. I started to worry, but their reps at the Job Fair didn't mention having to drive when I asked. Well, the Director talked for quite a while, and than it was my turn. They wanted to know if I could review cases with my clients around the parish. I started carefully,
"Well, I can't drive. However, I have a driver and. . ." I went on. I could see the blond woman, Angela, trying to break in. But, I was determined to show my knowledge and skills. Maybe that was a mistake. Maybe I should have stopped the interview and told them that couldn't do the job and thank them for their time. Because, Angela stopped me with a harsh tone: "You need to drive for this job." (I suppose she thought I should know, but honestly I'd never heard of them before the Job Fair.)
Her tone was just so harsh and her eyes were glaring and I just wanted to break down in sobs. She made me feel like I was purposefully wasting her time. One of the other ladies walked me out and was polite enough. She helpfully told me that "nearly all jobs require driving these days." and that the Job Fair people "probably didn't know they need drivers." (It seems that clients no longer go to the non-profits -as they did when I was a child - no, the non-profits now visit their homes.)
I got out the door and bursts into tears. I cried all the way home. Hours later, I still want to cry. That woman's look and tone took me by surprise and was just so harsh. And the worst bit is, the whole thing too ten minutes. Ten minutes and they had me sobbing. Oh, and it was my first interview in three months.
I know that the one thing stopping me from starting my career is the the simple fact that I cannot drive. I honestly feel so useless and unwanted. I tried so hard in school and did so well. I won awards, studied hard, had a great GPA. And, nobody wants me. Retail doesn't want me because I'm too slow, as I can only use one hand. Every other job I could do: in offices, in doctor's offices, at non-profits, in lawyer's offices, at companies around town all want me to drive or want someone with more experience. More experience, I can take. But, how can I get it when every entry-level job I quality for wants me to drive?! Honestly, I just feel useless and I don't know what to do anymore.
I know I don't want to sale things or be in customer service, as I'm too softhearted. I just want to be of use. So far, it's not going well.
Pity-party/rant over.
no subject
Date: 2012-08-29 03:08 am (UTC)...you got her number? Seriously. I'm free to make bullshit calls all day if I so desire. Just PM it to me.
If I might suggest looking for a job in the back office of an insurance company? You get to play with Excel all day and cut checks and LOL at reports from The Standard. The agents can get kind of O_O sometimes, but that's predictable if you know when the rates change.
no subject
Date: 2012-08-29 03:22 am (UTC)I have the Director's number (she was in the room). There's a part of me that wants to write a passive-aggressive thank you note, but I know that could hurt me later. (All the non-profits know one another in the area.) Honestly, I probably won't even write a note. I'll just try and forget it.
The back of an insurance office? I know I don't want to sell insurance, but I could work at an insurance company.I know Excel, though I haven't used it since my last computer class three years ago. I could relearn it quickly, though. I suppose I could look into it. (The last insurance ad I saw was for a seller in my pariah - another driving job.) Thanks for the suggestion. I hadn't really thought of it.
no subject
Date: 2012-08-30 01:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-08-30 05:05 am (UTC)