We all like to think we’re the navigators of our career destinies but too often that is not the case.
Many of us end up in jobs we really don’t love, punching in everyday because we need the paycheck to pay the mortgage, rent, college tuition, car payments, etc.
It’s a fact of life. Sometimes we work to sustain our families, our lifestyles. There is nothing wrong with sacrifices we make to make sure our children have what they need to be able to go out and embark on their own lives.
I know you hear a lot of career ideologies these days that espouse brushing everything aside and doing our dream jobs no matter what.
I’m not in this career camp. While I think people should follow their dreams and try to pursue what makes them happy sometimes reality slams us hard in the face. “Being happy” has to take a back seat to income realities.
You may work a minimum wage job you hate because you’re paying for an online degree to better yourself. Or you may have to work for a parent who needs you to help them keep their business afloat. There are so many of these scenarios.
I met an incredible man recently who has his own scenario. His name is Chuck Madarani and he’s an autoworker who lives in Newark, Delaware.
He’s one of those guys who sacrificed a lot for the good of his family. He never envisioned he’d end up an autoworker as his lifetime career, but at age 47 he realizes it’s his lot in life.
He is not ashamed of what he ended up doing. His family was provided for, and this September he’ll have two children in college. My eyes well up when I think about how proud he is of his children.
Chuck is the focus of my “Your Career” column this week on MSNBC.com. He was one of those subjects that every journalist longs for — I candid man who’s willing to admit he’s not a perfect human being.
He is at a career crossroads, but not one of his making. The Chrysler auto plant where he’s worked for decades is slated to shut down next year and he’s still not sure what he’s going to do.
Without a college degree or experience beyond factory life, he’s not sure he can find another job in Delaware. That means he may have to relocate to Detroit where he probably could get another auto job. But with two kids enrolled at a Delaware college the move would be painful for his wife and children.
But the bottom line for Chuck is a good paycheck, and that’s what he’ll be able to hold on to if he stays in the auto industry.
His is the kind of job that is disappearing in our country for people like Chuck — $50,000 a year, plus solid health benefits.
I don’t blame him for not wanting to let it go, especially given the money he’ll be spending on college; and with the tough economy that will make it even harder for him to find comparable paying work.
He’s probably not going to retrain and try to find another career. He’s probably not going to hire a life coach to help him find a make-me-happy career road map.
He’s going to do what he has to for him family. No one can fault him for that.
March 31st, 2008 at 1:59 am
Chuck is a good man. He and I have many paralells. In 1986 I was RIFed along with 3100 other steelworkers in Pittsburgh. We grew up waiting to get in there and then it was simply taken away from us. Being a father of four at the time and so young in my twenties, I had two other jobs and indulged in being a 7 day a week salesman. They did not call me ‘Killer’ for nothing. Although the fortunes I made for other people paled in comparison to my own wealth, I did exceptionally well. I have six children in all. Of the three that did finish college, they are doing very well. The struggle of finance was indeed a very mutual endeavor between my children and I. However you look at it, in the 90’s if you had a job, tuition was something new students had to receive help from their parents. My children seemed to have acquired a good sense of how to handle money properly by observing my not being able to handle money. Now my last two are 18 and almost 17. There is absolutely no reason in the US any child could not find the financial means to attend college. And by design, there is no way the money for tuition won’t be there for the duration of your higher education. An excellent piece of advice. In Pennsylvania, the money for education is an absolute joke if you are applying for money from the state. The rules are mind boggling. One rule states that you must have an SAT no lower than 900 and you are forbidden from employment during your active enrollment. Another rule is that scholarship money acquired through any extra curricular activity, excluding Football, must be awarded to the state and is deducted from your initial balance so no interest can be accumualated (YES..PA charges intersest on the State Grant). There is a multitude of ridiculous rules. The Federal program is alot less complicated and definately laden with great incentive. This was a tremendous surprise to me. The worst restriction is the SAT qualifier is 1200. There is also an alternative academic qualifier that provides you with a graduation assessment evaluation that not every state, including Pennsylvaia uses. Our Governor (Sw) Rendell claims it is counterproductive to minorities. Any way the government programs, which there is several, entitles every American, even amazingly myself, an education. For all the things I believe our Government is not doing good with, like the economy, these programs are fantastic. Deleware may be alot different than Pa. so it is not necessarily a first choice as far as processing goes. Another aspect is several colleges offer very good financial programs. If Chuck has not already been inundated with college literature in the mail, it really is sound advice to not placed on any list when you see a box that says ‘May we provide your information with other institutions of higher learning?’, don’t do it. You will be overwhelmed. The schools that are more willing to educate rather than fund unrealstic goals will try their best to interest you exclusively in their school. Thank You.
March 31st, 2008 at 9:41 am
Taking a step away from the auto industry, what about people out there that are unhappy and it is their job to create the software we work with every day? From web applications to traditional software like Microsoft Word, what happens when the people that are responsible for these tools aren’t happy? Then there are the people that work with these tools that may be doing things that impact other people. If they hate opening up the software made by those unhappy folks and don’t enjoy it, the output from them could impact others. Maybe there is a trickle down of bad experience at play here.
March 31st, 2008 at 10:14 am
There might be something to this trickle down theory…sort of like bad Karma going around and coming around.
March 31st, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Eve,
Excellent column and post, particularly with their realistic angles. The “chase your dream” career counseling angle does not always resonate with people facing financial realities like Mr. Madarani.
But I do think all hope is not lost for older workers caught in corporate downsizing. I don’t know what Mr. Madarani’s skills are but depending on the job training programs offered in the community college system or with companies in the area, there are some trade oriented opportunities that pay better than what you’d find at a staffing agency. I recently posted about opportunities in the trades on my blog.
Although I personally have greatly benefited from a college education, I think it is overrated and too expensive for some people, like perhaps Mr. Madarani, who may have a personality better suited for certain types of work that pay well and can be reached less expensively through training. He also may not have the time (much less money) to invest in a 4 year degree - he needs money as quickly as possible.
To give an example, an entry level HVAC contractor or plumber makes more money “out of the box” than most new college graduates. It just depends on your interests and financial situation. I hope Mr. Madarani does some career exploration and talks with people working in jobs reached through training or apprenticeship programs that might fit his interests, before making a decision. Good luck to him; these are the hard-working American people that keep our country strong.
March 31st, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Outside of the personal story here — a great one that is also very real — I agree that the “do what you love” crowd makes things very simple. Yet, life is complicated. And the complications build and you end up where you are, needing a significant change to now make a change.
That’s not covered much (and probably doesn’t sell a lot of books!).
A thoughtful post and Chuck has some challenges ahead.
March 31st, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Eve, Again, right on the money.
I think Chuck is a wonderful provider for his family. I think he is probably doing the thing in life which he holds most dear: supporting the family he loves more than his own life. Although his job choice will not offer him “look at me” status, I believe that he can go to sleep at night with a good conscience. I believe in God, and I think that God must be well-pleased with the choices Chuck has made. He has clearly chosen the most important things in life. And anyway, if he really wants another career, one class a week for however long it takes is do-able. I do not have kids, but I have gone to school and worked full-time for a long time. Many times even one class gave me hope for a new career and gave me a positive outlook. When I was tired, I kept my goal in mind. There really still is opportunity for further education if a person desires it. Thanks for the insightful blog.
April 1st, 2008 at 4:35 am
I am confused about your MSNBC article. If Chuck at $50000 per year has to pay for his children’s education, Is his children contributing at all? Please do not say how harsh or uncaring this sounds. I have gone this route before and in my previous vituperation, I told you about my other children. When I tell you that in the 90’s, parents had to ‘contribute’, I’m talking the tools suchas books and project items, and the ‘living’ expenses involved. All three of my children who finished school actually worked, and worked hard. The elementary teacher in the family cost roughly $90000 in actual tuition, $38000 came from an account my grandparents left us. They invested in a savings account and did not lose their shirt. I know my daughter made payments on her tuition loan and has been teaching full time since 2000. She is own her own, and the key words are , own her own. If I had to pay for it, There would be no way it would have occured. I did keep her on our auto insurance. I did take her on vacations. I did hand her money often. I did buy her food often. I even bailed her out once, hey it happens. If your daughter is young and rather attractive, do not let her go to New Orleans during Mardi Gras….lessoned learned.
Now there is a new era. There is no way anyone has any excuse for not going to college. This paralell is significant. We are an aging society. And we are a stubborn society. Chuck has 29 years of good solid pension money coming back to him. He is in the same boat i am in because I cannot collect it without a huge penalty till i am 59 1/2, so we have 13 years.He is a union brother and if the UAW had smart people like the SEIU, the buyouts are gone. Why. simple, because after 59 1/2, they pay your medical for the REST OF YOUR LIFE. And you will collect a check every month UNTIL THE DAY YOU DIE.
You mentioned paying for an hour with a financial advisor. Perhaps that way of thinking is totally wrong. I payed about $500 for a 90 minute conference to decide what to do with the $108000 my grandparents left after it was divided as per their wishes. I know my cousins did as they were told. Heck, As of last year, they are in the hole by $40000. I simply banked it and that is how my three children went to school.
All I’m saying really is nothing is guaranteed in life no matter what. Chuck and Saana certainly will have a brighter future in the distance. Their children are like practice. Practice to be self sufficient to themselves.
April 1st, 2008 at 5:51 am
The whole “search for the perfect career” has left me more depressed than when I started. I have never held a job that I love. Never work up and looked forward for every day in a week and wanted to go to work. I know very well the things that I’m good at, and have tried some of them, but something is always missing, usually the paycheck big enough to cover the cost of living. For example, I am “good at” and love teaching pre-K but the high dollar amount that the state is willing to pay me was $8.05 per hour. I am good at (but not in love with) providing telephone customer service (my current career pursuit)… bored out of my mind but having little to no choice of jobs since I was unable to meet a happy medium with my prefered career choice. I now know exactly the career I want to be in, insert propblem, I need more education… that I cannot afford. I can relate to Chuck. I am still flapping my hands against the tide, lets see if I’ll start to swim eventually. I can relate to Chuck!! One talent I do not have to spelling. Forgive me if there are and “mis” ones.
April 1st, 2008 at 9:03 am
It’s amazing to me how many people hold jobs they hate. I have always enjoyed the jobs I held. Even those low-paying ones that were just to get me through school.
During the 80’s, my company was bought and sold three times in seven months. The last purchaser only wanted the assets. Bye-bye all employees at a time when I was the sole provider for my wife and two children.
Chuck needs to do what I did. Take advantage of all the severance opportunites including outplacement training. Then, totally rethink your life and career.
For every three people laid off from a big corporation, one new small business is formed. I’m better off now than I ever could be working for someone else.
For Pat, money is not everything. Would you rather live your life doing what you enjoy? Or, doing what you hate and engaging in theraputic shopping, or some other expensive therapy, to regain your sanity?
April 2nd, 2008 at 5:52 pm
This is a very thoughtful post. I’m one of those coaches who specialize in helping people make career decisions, and I agree entirely that sometimes what blisses us out work-wise is just not going to pay the bills, or is not going to happen for us for any number of reasons.
Career planning can be such a complex puzzle of sometimes competing priorities, with some realities thrown in that are beyond our control.
April 3rd, 2008 at 1:23 am
Hi,
Chuck should look at skills and knowledge that he has that others don’t and need. Sometimes we don’t fully look at (and appreciate things that we can do . . . and others wish they could do. For example, when I took my car in, the service people told me some simple things I could have done that would have saved me from incurring a hefty service bill. I told the service rep he could generate a revenue stream from classes to teach others how to take care of their cars. You might say this would cannibalize the service repair business; however, there could be revenue from the seminar side as well as revenue from a new side: people taking their cars in for preventative. People feel better about paying for preventative care . . . than costs to repair something that could have been avoided. Further, this would generate good will toward the service repair business . . . along with more business. Although this example focuses on one business, the intent really focuses on soul searching: What do I know that others don’t?
All the best,
p
April 8th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Broken Dreams and Empty Pockets
Where my life has went it seems like my dreams
Have faded away im broke everyday
Looking for a job has gotten harder
And finding a career is no longer
Someday wonder is it going to get better
With the gas prices so high I feel like my tank
Is empty and my heart has been broken
From Struggling and being broke everyday
Little change in my pockets
Will I see light at the end of the tunnel?
My dreams will come true
Just wanted to let you know my job was downsized in 2002 in a state i love but i couldnt find a full time job and finicially i couldnt live there i move back to my home state And it not any better for me smaller job market And i have been in out jobs I can relate with you And it like i try to better my self with skills And still no job I just would like to see the light at the end of the tunnel And just would like to know an answer or secret on how to land that job Will so i wrote that poem that how i feel Carolyn
April 9th, 2008 at 3:49 am
On Saturday, I worked a full eight hours overtime at my new job as a maintenance mechanic for a school district. It is the school district in which I have lived for about 12 years, and I still have children attending. The crew of six, including myself, patched potholes in almost every school in the district. We moved 10 tons of asphalt by shovel, from dump truck to pothole. I made a puny $216 for my efforts. My friend, Manny, as in Manuel Labor are familiar with each other. Once for about five years in my youth worked for US Steel. I am a Pittsburgher, so what else would one expect. But I was in my 20’s then and virtually indestructable. Now I am 47. I hurt in places I forgot I had, and places I did not know existed. My hair hurt.
I was a ‘killer’ salesman for a solid 20 years. In ‘06, I earned almost $70000 effortlessly by using a phone and threatening people for the absolute lowest prices to pass this on to my customers. And that was the least amount I earned since the turn of the century. The hardest thing I did in 20 years was cut my grass, and I did that because no one could do it better. I was terminated primarily out of retaliation, so was the retaliator. I put out my resume, I talked to many people I literally ‘killed’ in the past. All were in worst shape than I thought they were. One was thrilled, offered me $50000 per year with benefits and then gave me a car and said go out and sale, we need New York. I could not. My wife is terminally ill and the children need me now more than ever. I was like you, depressed. I sat around for 6 months. I collected a check for doing nothing. I wanted that desk, that computer, that telephone…I wanted to yell at some vendor, threaten their children’s well being…then close another deal. I wanted to be usurped into anopther major corporation, make the sell, go home and go to bed.
Throughout my married twice life, I have always been a good father although I am a killer of Mom and Pop ventures and small people. I have always been good with children, especially children who really do not have a chance. When that huge corporation started a Kids build it program, someone figured I’d be the man. The ideas were genuine and mostly mine. The ultimate customer cultivation, make them familiar and comfortable with the company, and they will be customer’s someday. It backfired when all the ’special’ children’s organization saw our advertisement for a FREE Kid’s workshop. God knows how much anguish there was when I’d help alittle girl build her Birdhouse in her hospital bed and see her little smile through so much pain. THe anguish of hearing the nurse tell me her mom and Dad have three other healthy children, so the little girl hardly sees anybody. The nurse said she smiles like an angel, she had not seen that before. THat was about ten years ago.
My point is, I’ll take the hurt, and I will take the puny $216 in OVT pay. THe rest of my life will always be a piece of cake. Maybe it is because I believe in Angels, I’ve met them. so I know the best is yet to come.