Unemployment diary: I'm a 37-year-old program assistant in Louisiana who's been out of work since March
- The Unemployed States of America takes readers deep inside the decimated American workforce.
- Ebony Mitchell is a 37-year-old program assistant based in Shreveport, Louisiana.
- She lost her job as a program assistant and has been unemployed since March 16, although she's been working on an independent project with her previous employer.
- She has some underlying health conditions and worries that the pandemic will become the new normal — and limit the jobs that she's able to take.
- This is her story, as told to Business Insider.
Life has been an adjustment.
I took pride in my job at the prison, helping fathers connect with their children through STEM, so the job is very much missed.
The stimulus check and the stimulus unemployment has been a life-saver. I saved my money and have been able to pay my bills with ease. My state was just sent the funds for the additional unemployment, and that payment came today (editor's note: August 27). The new payment is the $300 a week. We received a back payment from August 1. These payments have helped me keep my bills current. If it wasn't for these additional payments, my finances would be in a dire situation.
To be honest, the stimulus checks were more than I was making on my job.
I was only part-time, so the checks were a considerable increase.
I'm making the necessary adjustments to be able to work virtually and do more independent contracting as well. I spend a few hours a day looking and completing applications for work. I'm also working on an independent project with my employer. I plan to continue working with Sci-Port, Red River STEM, but in a different capacity.
Overall, I believe Louisiana has handled it the best way they could have. I'm sure there are kinks to work out, but I've gotten all of my benefits without any issues.
My biggest worry is that the pandemic won't get under control and this will be the new normal. I have various underlying health conditions, so I'm limited in the jobs I can take on.
The hardest part of all of this is the constant fear and uncertainty. Contrary to popular belief, people would like to work and earn their wages. It's very hard to always worry about your health, along with your finances.