Still no luck :(

[SueNZ]

Hey Emily, I'm sorry things are so tough for you. Since you like history and maps, have you thought about being a librarian? Maybe a book store assistant? Rather than selling photos why not work for a photographer. You need to keep your goals in small steps and slowly climb.


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[EmilyRyan]

Being a librarian here is like impossible you gotta not only have a master's degree but hope you get lucky that a library is even hiring. I've tried book stores unfortunately they don't want me either and entry/low level photographer jobs want three years experience and a bachelors degree.

I'm at loss at what to do I really feel society doesn't want me cause I'm unable to grasp the science/math skills they want everyone to have for the job market and since I don't fit into what they want they rather cast people like me into the pasture and I might as well do so.

[Elis]

I understand finding a job is difficult. It took me almost two years but finally I got one. There is no other solution but simply keep looking. Wanting to transition was the only thing that kept me going. And I only finished high school with very average grades. Maybe look at shop websites to see if they have vacancies or go to a shopping centre's website and see which shops are hiring. Someone will want to hire you; even if you're unconfident and not comfortable like I am.

[arice]

In Canada, we have organisations (examples are Chrysalis and Employabilities) that work with people who have physical, emotional or intellectual disabilities or delays to help build job skills and find/keep jobs. There must be something similar somewhere in the US.

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[EmilyRyan]

In Canada, we have organisations (examples are Chrysalis and Employabilities) that work with people who have physical, emotional or intellectual disabilities or delays to help build job skills and find/keep jobs. There must be something similar somewhere in the US.

There isn't jack here in the U.S. dedicated to helping anyone with those conditions to help get a get a job etc. Unlike Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand our government and most of society doesn't give a care

[Dena]

Check with your state employment office. Often they have a number of programs to chose from and they may have evaluation programs to help you know which job would be best for you.

[EmilyRyan]

Unfortunately Tennessee decided to gut most funding for employment offices they barely have the resources to help simple job seekers. 

[ryokohimura]

I can relate to this.

A big save for me is that the State of Oregon is extremely supportive of us. I know that doesn't help, but I'd be in your position otherwise. For years I had no clue why nothing was coming together. Everyone was telling me I needed to "try harder, work harder" and this was during the 2000s when everything was sunshine and rainbows apparently. I have a friend who transitioned in TN. I don't know if he knows of anything that can help. (Maybe I should drop him a line.)

Hang in there.

[CrysC]

There are some support services available in Seattle from Ingersoll Center http://ingersollcenter.org/ 
I don't know if they have something that will help but it's a place to start. 

Don't give up hope or give into despair.  Choose to be positive.  It's not easy but it is possible.  Many of us had no chance to transition until we were much older.  I was in my mid-40's and it wasn't like it just showed up.  It was on me since I was 6 or so. 
In the end, when life is at it's worst, you should feel the most hope.  It can only get better if it is really that bad.  Think of the positives.  You are still young, are living in a society that is more accepting (in places) and there are far more options available in your lifetime than there were for many of us.  Good luck Emily! 

[EmilyRyan]

There are some support services available in Seattle from Ingersoll Center http://ingersollcenter.org/ 
I don't know if they have something that will help but it's a place to start. 

Sounds like they can help.

[EmilyRyan]

So I was looking for jobs in Seattle and saw there's bank teller positions open all part time with benefits. Is it possible to survive in Seattle with a job like that??   

[CrysC]

The further away from downtown the cheaper it is.  Again I'd reach out to Ingersoll and see if they had some leads on a place to stay.  This area is quite pricey.  Taxes are on what you buy rather than income.  That makes food more expensive as well as other commodities. 

[EmilyRyan]

Yeah it's the same here in Tennessee no state income tax but the sales tax is up there especially on food. I also do truly think that Ingersoll may be my best hope to surviving in Washington if I am homeless maybe I can sleep near their building if it's safe to do so. 

[CrysC]

Please don't step into homelessness here for your own good.  There is a terrible problem in Seattle right now with homelessness.  The shelters are full and can only keep people around for a short bit.  Make sure you get yourself set up with a place to stay first.  If you can't do that then work a plan that leads to that.  Maybe look at Portland or go somewhere you can build up some income before heading to Seattle.  Plan well and be safe.

[EmilyRyan]

I wish I can make plans well in advance but as long as nothing is willing to hire me where I'm at it's impossible to save up more money than what I already have  and as for Portland I just rather be in Seattle instead

[ryokohimura]

This is the Oregon-Washington dichotomy. Oregon taxes your income, but no sales tax. Though our medicare covers transition care. Avoid Vancouver, you should be good.

[EmilyRyan]

I wonder would getting SSI be easier over there in the west coast if I can't even get job after moving into the area then SSI may be the only option I have.

[EmilyRyan]

Well my luck just gets crappier tried applying to Job Corps as suggested from a poster and apparently I'm ineligible 

So what now?? 

[Dena]

I have been out of work several times  with the time period ranging from 6 months to 2 years. Being out of work is a full time job. Each day you get up, prepare for work by eating,dressing and what every your morning routine is and then you start looking at the advertisements for jobs. You don't look at what they are paying but instead you look for something you might possibly be able to do. You may not be an exact match but apply for it anyway as many places train or at some point may have to select somebody who is less than ideal. If you run out of jobs to apply for, you think about other places you might try. Finding a job is 8 hours a day so you need to maintain this routine 8 hours a day. This is the reason I hate to be out of work so much because often you put in all that work and only receive a rejection notice for your efforts. I could send out hundreds of resumes (in my profession that is the how to apply for a job) and if I was lucky, a few would get interviews.

The period where I was out of work for two years, the economy was in a deep recession between 1984 and 1986. I had a couple of temporary jobs in that span and they were happy with my work but the jobs didn't turn into permanent jobs.

[Deborah]

Have you looked at landscaping jobs?  This is the season they will be hiring.  My son did that for a couple of years.  The work is hard but it seemed like the contractors were always looking for workers in town.


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