Apparently we need to get F***ing serious now!

How is this even happening?

Seriously, we have president-elect Obama on the job, a boss who is offering ‘Hope’ and ‘Change’ and all things rosy, yet the economy plunges deeper into the abyss?

WTF?

Everyone is reporting that the unemployment rate finally climbed to 6.5% — the highest in 14 years — making it nearly impossible for the clowns in Washington to continue to deny that we’re headed 100 mph smack into a wall of recession.

Those photos of folks standing in the unemployment line on A1 is depressing as hell. In fact in brings back memories of your anti-career specialists standing in one of those lines back in, ummm…when did we last get unemployment? 1981?

That’s because we have about 3 jobs each. Good jobs, decent paying jobs. Nothing like a gig on Wall St….or a money-making mortgage firm or a snazzy real estate office….oh wait, those jobs are disappearing as fast as the office supplies in the White House.

Sure this economy sucks and with $1 million jobs lost this year the outlook is, well, f***ed.

Or is it?

Here’s the thing. None of our friends are out of work. Well, actually, a bunch of them lost their jobs this year, heck, we even lost a few between us, but everyone is working. Making a buck. Paying the mortgage. (Sort of.) The fact is, there ARE jobs out there, just maybe not the same exact job that you just lost.

Here, let us explain.

Our friend Carlos was an electrician in a big fancy building in San Francisco but he lost his job six months ago when the building co-op board decided to find a less expensive contractor. Fine, so Carlos looks around and finds a job installing solar panels in Los Angeles. He took a two-day course on how to install those puppies wa-la! He’s already moved up in the company and some day hopes to own his own solar installation business.

Okay, not convinced?

Sarah, a friend from school was a mover and shaker in real estate. She had the Beemer and the big-ass house over-looking the Pacific…but two years ago she saw the Four Horsemen of the real estate Apocalypse charging towards her McMansion and she freaked! (wouldn’t you? ) Anyway, she pretty much saw the writing on the wall and tried to figure out what else the hell she could do besides tricking young couples into buying homes they couldn’t afford. (Let’s not even talk about the Karma.) Sarah thought and she thought and while she was thinking her mom went into an assisted living joint. Sarah thought it stunk like urine and the four grand she was paying for mom seemed to be a tad over-the-top for what they were getting. LIGHT BULB MOMENT!

Sarah made one last sale—her own home—and bought a smaller one inland for a pittance. She hired an RN who was sick of working in a big hospital and young staffers and filled the four rooms of the cute new assisted living home she created with old folks who have cash. Business was so good she bought another and another. Sarah now owns 5 assisted living houses and spends quality time with mom while she’s at it.

These are just a couple of examples, and starting today, we’re going to list more and more jobs, but we need YOU to be creative. Stop thinking about getting another job exactly like the one you just lost. Screw that! Re-invent yourself into someone that has an enjoyable career. Would it kill you to have fun at work? (no is the proper answer.)

So stop reading the damn paper (the election is over, so save your 50 cents because you don’t have it!) and read us instead. Send us your comments AND your job postings. If we all hold hands and sing Kumbaya, we can turn this unemployment thingy around. Really, if we can help an African-American nab the most important job in the world we can certainly find you a new career. (Yes we helped in the voting booth, thank you very much!)

So maybe you’re a stockbroker doing whatever it is you do all day. Seems to us like you’re the kind of person who probably takes a risk now and then. Maybe you like to climb rocks with all that gear and stuff. (It’s obvious we don’t.) Our point being, why don’t you get some professional training at the American Mountain Guide Association and become a paycheck-earning- rock climber/guide/dude. You can work in a gym or teach people or guide wealthy Boomers up on a real mountain. So you won’t make a gazillion bucks, but are you doing that now? And beside, when things level off you can always day-trade from your tent. For more info contact: http://www.amga.com/resources/

Here are a couple of actual job listings we thought might provide you with a little money and a lot of fun!

Outdoor Education Instructor

Marble Falls TX

Located on Lake LBJ in the heart of the beautiful Texas Hill Country, The Outdoor School (TOS) is about 50 miles northwest of Austin and 70 miles north of San Antonio. TOS is a residential outdoor education program that focuses on hands-on experiential educational and outdoor courses. The primary ages attending The Outdoor School are 4th – 9th grades. We are looking for instructors who love working with children…and love teaching them in the outdoors! Instructors will teach pre-approved curriculum, create and run teambuilding sessions and conduct evening activities. As an instructor, you will be with the children 5 days a week.

You live on property in a dorm size room with all necessary facilities. Room and most board are provided plus $215/wk, with opportunity for paid work on weekends also available. We are currently hiring for our Spring season (February 8th – May 23rd). We will conclude hiring for the Spring season when all positions are filled.

If this sounds like the job for you, contact Nicole at nangel@outdoorschool.com or call at 1-830-598-2571 ext. 239. Check out our website www.outdoorschool.com for more information.

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Associate Regional Director

Washington DC

The National Parks Conservation Association, the nation’s leading national park advocacy organization, seeks an Associate Regional Director to assist the Northern Rockies Regional Office (NRRO) Senior Regional Director in carrying out the park protection programs of NPCA, both national and regional; assist with management oversight responsibilities for the regional office, contribute to the fundraising efforts through writing proposals, meeting with donors and marketing NPCA programs. A BA degree or equivalent experience in government, environmental or science related, with graduate degree preferred, and a minimum of four-five years experience in environmental advocacy, non-profit management, park administration or planning.

Please visit our website at www.npca.org for a full job description. Qualified applicants please submit your resume and cover letter directly online to www.npca.org under “Work for NPCA”. No phone calls please. NPCA is an EOE.

To apply now, click on the link below:
http://www.npca.org/jobs/

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Volunteer & Youth Program Manager

San Francisco CA

Interested in Community Engagement and Stewardship?

The Site Stewardship Program works to restore vital habitat for threatened and endangered species within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area through community and educational partnerships. Over the past 15 years, students and community volunteers have contributed more than 300,000 hours toward the restoration of these special sites.

Are you the right person for this valuable position? Working as part of the Stewardship team, the Community Programs Manager will nurture and support existing educational partnerships, develop and run service-learning and volunteer programs, train and supervise interns, provide marketing and outreach support for the program and work to meet the restoration goals of each of the sites.

Duties include (but are not limited to):

Oversee all aspects of service-learning and volunteer; hire, train and supervise two full-time interns; sustain existing, and develop new, educational partnerships; develop programming and run regular service-learning programs for local school groups at stewardship sites; support weekly volunteer drop-in program; organize and facilitate the LINC Summer High School Program; and develop, edit and produce bi-monthly newsletter, and write weekly email updates.

Qualifications:

Demonstrated ability to effectively lead, communicate and motivate diverse volunteers and youth; strong commitment to diverse community participation and stewardship in park management and program planning; experience as a volunteer or in volunteer management; experience and/or knowledge in the management of natural resources; strong organizational and group management skills; enjoy working outdoors in all kinds of conditions; excellent interpersonal and communication skills; friendly, welcoming and outgoing personality; ability and desire to work as part of a team on complex projects and programs; Computer proficiency in writing and basic computer skills; ability to obtain a Class B License; bilingual in Spanish or Cantonese a plus;

This position requires a Tuesday-Saturday schedule to accommodate volunteer programs as well as occasional overnight trips.  Frequent local travel will be necessary (vehicle provided).

Compensation/Benefits: This is a permanent full-time benefited position for 40 hours a week located in a beautiful national park setting.  Job location is Fort Mason, San Francisco.

Applications will be considered immediately. Please send or e-mail resumes with cover letter to:  Sue Gardner, Director, Site Stewardship Program; Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy; Fort Mason, Bldg. 201; San Francisco, CA 94123. sgardner@parksconservancy.org. Applications accepted until position is filled. Desired start date is January/February 2009.

We believe our staff should reflect the diversity of our community.  All qualified applicants encouraged to apply.

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