A Year in Michigan

Never did I think that I would be grateful to be employed at a coffee shop. Living in Philadelphia, I thought my life to be full of excitement and diversity. Unfair work conditions and practices, wages, and racism were discussed openly by citizens who felt empowered to make change. I was a person that could help with that-with a Bachelors in English, my salary rose quickly in the publishing industry. Regular people had opinions, and I helped them publish their words. It was simple and fulfilling. When a sector of the industry was outsourced, I found my salaried self soon without income. My husband (fianc� at the time) suggested moving to his home state of Michigan, where his family would provide us with rent free living.

I did my research about the state and its skyrocketing unemployment rate. Being open to various locations within Michigan, I felt that I still had the professional and educational advantage over most other job applicants. Upon arriving in Michigan, I quickly realized the immediate impact of mass layoffs (echoed by rampant racism and a socio-economic stigma), but hoped that I would be mostly unaffected as I was pursuing a career in fields not dependent upon the automotive industry. Assuming I could make half the salary that I could be making in Philadelphia, I deduced that I could easily become a homeowner with the falling cost of housing here-and that was before my husband's income would even be considered.

After sending out my resume, I received a 4% interview rate for jobs of sincere interest, which I learned was comparatively high versus other job seekers. When my unemployment ran out, I accepted a position as a barista at a chain coffee shop nearby, thinking it would be a temporary position. A full year later, and my list of other job offers is limited to commission-only sales and telemarketing. Even my consultant at Michigan Works, the state run employment agency, suggested that the best solution was to move out of state.