Unemployment diary: I'm a 44-year-old vice president of professional services in Oregon who's been unemployed since April
- The Unemployed States of America takes readers deep inside the decimated American workforce.
- Alyssa Meritt is a 44-year-old vice president of professional services from Portland, Oregon.
- She spends four hours a day and five days a week looking for her next job, but has yet to find opportunities that match her years of experience.
- While she's been fortunate to have support during the pandemic and collaborate with her former coworker on a startup idea, she's worried that little will change in the next year.
- This is her story, as told to Business Insider.
Months into the pandemic, the days start to blend into each other — as do the online job postings. Without the structure of going to work and returning home, nor any social interaction outside of the house, weekends seem no different than the week.
While I've been fortunate during the pandemic, we've started to cut back and dip into savings.
I reconnected with a former coworker to work on a startup idea. Even if it goes nowhere, collaborating and learning keeps my spirits up. My interest in starting my own business is that I would at least be doing something I have some control over, and it would be for me. It's one way I can control my destiny.
The job prospects have been awful.
I have a list of links from over 900 companies I've researched, in addition to scouring job boards. I've already looked at jobs in other industries, jobs I'm overqualified for or that pay a lot less. At this point, I'm planning on moving for work. I've had hundreds of applications, a handful of interviews, and a lot of ghosting. I spend at least four hours a day, five days a week looking, attending webinars, and contacting people. Nothing just seems to be panning out.
I'm worried that our current way of life will continue for another year and the US will not be able to put politics aside to assess what will help the most Americans meet their basic needs to stay healthy.
Oregon received federal funding for upgrades in 2009, but claims systems haven't been updated. The lack of accountability and review by multiple governors and leadership teams is criminal. More than that, there's no vaccine or reduction in cases and continued lack of government leadership at the state and federal level.
My biggest fear is not knowing when it will be over.