Frustration Sucks. Really Sucks.
You're probably wondering where I've been for the last week. Well, I spent the last week in California on vacation which I'll be posting about later, but for now, my frustration is at a fever pitch.
I decided to stop by the college I graduated from to see if I could even handle their Bachelor's in Applied Science Data Sciences degree, and it turns out they want an Associates in Arts before I can even do that. What kind of bullshit is that? I already have an AS degree in Database Administration, but that doesn't satisfy the testing racket so I'll never get hired until I submit to their useless tests.
The home business didn't work because no one actually wants to go through their crap that they say they want me to work on, so I shut the website down.
To be honest, I don't even care anymore. It doesn't matter how much I give or how much work I put in, the blue hairs will never, ever be satisfied.
It's funny, isn't it? They all say they want people with disabilities to become productive members of society and yet rig the system in such a way that we never can or will. Fuck. It. All.
Comments
I want to hug you for every one who did hurt you
in the past. That's a lot of hugs. It is so hard just to read about your ordeal. If we just could do something to help. Don't give up.
I'm sorry, because I know how awful the pressure is
to "make something of oneself". Of course I am lucky that I have a support system which understands the issues veterans face and help us with things.
The cruelty of the private sector always causes me to shudder a bit. Find joy where you can, and don't let the bastards grind you down.
Just thought I'd share one of the songs that gets me through desperately despairing times.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIa9UEXd98Q]
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
The public sector is almost as bad in Flawer'Duh.
They won't even look at your resume unless you're a veteran, family member or transfer. But hey, Jim Cramer says everything is fine because there's full employment and the stock market is up, up, up! /s
Modern education is little more than toeing the line for the capitalist pigs.
Guerrilla Liberalism won't liberate the US or the world from the iron fist of capital.
Every time I read
that unemployment is low I start yelling. The lying they do infuriates me but I think they like that, I think they enjoy watching those of us who know it's all lies shrieking and screaming, gives them some kind of cheap thrill to know we know and can do NOTHING about it.
Only a fool lets someone else tell him who his enemy is. Assata Shakur
everything's up for Jim Cramer
As gjohnsit has done so well to document, the "full employment" is pure, unfiltered bullshit. The employment books in this country are seriously cooked. They were "medium rare" when I was a young adult in the 1980s; they're quite "well done" today! As gjohnsit pointed out, under real full employment, jobs would be easier to get and the price of labor would be skyrocketing. They're not. Therefore, the books are being seriously cooked somewhere; the only questions are where and why.
And Jim Cramer? Has he ever supported himself by earning an honest living, i.e., outside of F.I.R.E. (Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate)?
"US govt/military = bad. Russian govt/military = bad. Any politician wanting power = bad. Anyone wielding power = bad." --Shahryar
"All power corrupts absolutely!" -- thanatokephaloides
I know you're all out
of fucks to give, and I don't have many more left myself. I believe that sooner rather than later we're all going to be scratching out some sort of 3rd world existence if we're not already dead. At least those of us in the Bottom 50% that clearly are "Targeted for Termination" by the Oligarchy. I wouldn't even mind so much if I weren't too damned old to do even half the physical labor required to live 3rd world style, but... here we are, ready or not. Most of us not. I suggest we collectively buy 10-20 acres somewhere in the midwest. Near fresh water, if Nestle hasn't stolen the last drop. It's the '60s all over again, my friends, 'cept these days it's more about Ben Gay than hashish. But don't bogart that bowl!
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
I take non-narcotic pain meds almost every day.
Lord knows I was after all the walking in CA. San Francisco has a lot of inclines.
Modern education is little more than toeing the line for the capitalist pigs.
Guerrilla Liberalism won't liberate the US or the world from the iron fist of capital.
Is this a private or public college?
According to what you're saying, a high school graduate would not be able to attend the program you're interested in because they don't have a non field related associates degree. That's why it sounds like a private college to me.
Technology is not even remotely associated with art, imo. I mean, you can use tech to produce art, but the study of each is unrelated. Ymmv.
For-profit, so I'm assuming private.
Not to mention the testing racket 'information' I received said doing this would help the country 'compete globally'. Bullshit. The only thing this does is make the software distributors and publishers more money.
Modern education is little more than toeing the line for the capitalist pigs.
Guerrilla Liberalism won't liberate the US or the world from the iron fist of capital.
For-profit = private to me & explains the BS
Okay, explains some of it.
What colleges/universities are near you? If you're still wanting to get that Bachelors degree, any state college/university should allow transfer of at least some of your credits from the for-profit, provided it's accredited. And, every college/university I know of also has online classes. (I hate them, but I'm old school - literally.)
Plus, they offer work/study to those on financial aid. Hint! Hint! I work as support staff at a community college, and am a former student there. I never pursued wk/study, but my coworker is a former wk/study student. I took her place when I was hired, as she moved up. Plus, because they receive federal funding, public colleges and universities have ADA compliance regulations they have to adhere to.
Something for you to think about.
The ADA doesn't exist in Flawer'Duh.
And Brevard County is a wasteland in terms of employment. Has been for ages now, with no escape.
Modern education is little more than toeing the line for the capitalist pigs.
Guerrilla Liberalism won't liberate the US or the world from the iron fist of capital.
Actually, it does Aspie
Even your despised Florida has the ADA. They have to since they accept federal funds. Link to Broward College disability page.
http://www.broward.edu/studentresources/disability/Pages/default.aspx
Here's a link to their jobs, but none of these are what the FAFSA calls work study. And, like my employer, they hire people with disabilities. One of our IT techs is on the spectrum - and wicked smart like you.
Work study you have to apply for through the financial aid office.
http://www.broward.edu/jobs/Pages/default.aspx
Financial aid link:
http://www.broward.edu/financialaid/Pages/default.aspx
Work study (and yes, Florida not only participates in the federal program, but has their own version too):
http://www.broward.edu/financialaid/Pages/WorkStudy.aspx
"Pray to God, but row for shore." (Phil McGraw)
I live in Brevard, not Broward.
And here in Brevard, nobody gives a flying fuck about anyone. The entire system is rigged for old rich retirees from out of state and the only way to get a job AT ALL is if you're former military or have other connections. I have neither. People with disabilities literally have no avenue or outlet, so most end up in the service sector until their hours are slashed to nothing in the slow season.
Modern education is little more than toeing the line for the capitalist pigs.
Guerrilla Liberalism won't liberate the US or the world from the iron fist of capital.
My bad, but same concept
My apologies for misreading the county.
Here's a link to the correct public college, which I know you already know about. And, it might even be the wrong campus.
http://www.easternflorida.edu/our-campuses/cocoa-campus/
I found a position that pays $27k, but this requirement is present -- like you've mentioned in the past. You meet all other requirements.
I'm guessing this is a requirement for all "real" jobs in order to attempt to keep "illegals" out of the workforce, because there is no valid reason for it otherwise, especially for a non driving position. Except, they're leaving others out in the cold. It's ridiculous and I can imagine the frustration. I'm so sorry.
It looks like they require it for literally every job
That is weird. I looked at a few on their jobs list. Even a part-time, $10.50/hr “preschool assistant” needs a valid Florida drivers license. WTF?
Is there no public transportation there? Many many people around here use bicycles and the buses to get to work. Drivers license is typically required only if the job involves, you know, driving.
This looks like an intentional barrier, plain and simple. It might be challenged under the ADA (maybe, IANAL), and yes the ADA as a federal law exists everywhere in the US. But unfortunately, filing a lawsuit to sue the offending organization is the only enforcement mechanism for ADA. Tackling this would have to be a class action. One can request accommodations, such as waiving this requirement. But good luck getting hired if you start out with that. They have to really want a particular candidate for a job before those discussions are likely to be entertained.
I’ve always heard, and found true in my own many job twists and turns, it’s not so much what you know as who you know. Having an “in” is the way around most barriers, unfortunately.
So personally, Aspie, I would not waste your time on going back to school. It would be expensive and not
Iikely to open any doors for you anyway. And honestly, I am fairly certain that if you got hired into some corporate environment, you would hate, hate, hate the job almost immediately. The lack of fairness and basic craziness of such workplaces is grueling.
If I were to suggest anything, which I’m hesitant to do because I’m not in your shoes, but what I would try is perhaps doing some volunteer work, find a group or organization that is doing something you believe in, and see if they need help doing something that you have skills to contribute.
That way, you will get to know people, and they will get to know you and what you can do and accomplish. Jobs can sprout from those seeds, given time, a job perhaps that actually fits you. And you could at least be doing something with your abilities, that you believe in.
Intentional barrier, indeed
I just wonder if it's a statute, or more of a bullshit requirement like the ones landlords use to discriminate. Either way, I also wonder if it's to keep out "illegals", people with disabilities, or both.
I'd be disheartened if I were Aspie too. Such bullshit, just to be mean.
Volunteering sounds good. Sad, but good. Sad because I always think of volunteering on ones days off of work, just to help out, not in the hopes of landing a paying job. But it's something that could lead to something else, and it usually leaves one feeling good in one way or another.
Excellent advice, deja!
It's how I finally got a "real" job after two years of waitressing following getting my bachelor's with honors in three majors in 1980. Graduating into a recession sucks. But I got saved by a government co-op job as part of pursuing a master's at the state university. That's how artsy+fartsy me got into the world of engineering and computers, where the good-paying jobs were. If it weren't for that state school co-op job, I might still be an extremely well read waitress.
Only connect. - E.M. Forster
Co-ops would be great.
That is, if they actually existed in this shithole that used to be the space coast.
Modern education is little more than toeing the line for the capitalist pigs.
Guerrilla Liberalism won't liberate the US or the world from the iron fist of capital.
arts and sciences
And which pursuits result in a Bachelor's degree in "Arts" or "Sciences" has little or nothing to do with whether the pursuit is an art or a science. It's quite arbitrary, really.
"US govt/military = bad. Russian govt/military = bad. Any politician wanting power = bad. Anyone wielding power = bad." --Shahryar
"All power corrupts absolutely!" -- thanatokephaloides
Arts and sciences
I literally just remembered an interaction between us on GOS! Has absolutely nothing to do with this essay, though. Sorry, Aspie!
Now I've forgotten what I was going to say, but finally remember.