[nabs-l] Stop Blaming the Economy

Fri Nov 15 17:32:16 UTC 2013

Joe:
Here's an area I've explored. I started teaching myself programming when 
I was about 12 or 13. Right now, my skills I tend to market are web 
development, software development and system administration. I worked on 
a site called vworker for a while at one point--where I would get paid 
minimal money to do work here and there, which was always useful since I 
had the time to spare. VWorker has gone paid however and I am at a loss 
as to other areas where I could start using my skills. I'm not totally 
sure I want to set up a business since I am still in school, but getting 
jobs where I can use my skills. I've also posted on craigslist and 
gotten the word out there, but that mainly resulted in a lot of spam, 
and one offer of a prostitute via Email.

I'm saying all of this again because you make it sound easy. got skills, 
get a job! it's not quite as easy as one might expect it to be.
On 11/15/2013 12:06 PM, Joe wrote:
> Hi Andrew,
>
> Pete Donahue is an example of someone who has done well for himself as an
> entrepreneur. He taught himself how to develop websites and does a really
> great job of recording events.
>
> Mike Calvo is someone who knew he wanted to develop an affordable screen
> reader and rounded up the people who would be responsible for the creation
> of what would become System Access. Serotek is doing well for itself, and
> he's now moved on to doing work on an international level.
>
> My story is not as exciting. I simply enjoy writing. I started off doing
> grant writing for nonprofits and slowly branched out. Now I do copywriting
> for a mix of tech startups and larger companies. It's my side venture,
> because I'm not quite ready to take a gamble on fluctuating income. And, I
> really enjoy it. My fear is that it may not be as fun for me if I made it a
> full-time job.
>
> My point here is that you don't necessarily have to buy into one of those
> commission structures. If you have a talent, you could be marketing yourself
> independently. Perhaps you've thought of doing massage therapy, computer
> repairs, piano tuning, Braille transcription, audio editing, or any number
> of viable business ventures. I've read a bunch of books on the subject for
> when I decide to take the plunge full-time. Then it's a matter of connecting
> with the right people to do those things you know you're not good at. I, for
> example, plan to start using an accountant because I am not good at keeping
> books. In the future I may launch a website specifically to help people
> launch an online business. Until then, if you're interested, get in touch
> off list. I'd love to do what I can to help people be a little more
> financially independent.
>
> Joe
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Andrew
> Sent: Friday, November 15, 2013 10:36 AM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Stop Blaming the Economy
>
> there is always  the option of doing a job from home or doing online jobs.
> although nobody seems to know anything about that in my area.
> and how do you know what ones are scams because there is so many online
> scams these days and what  online jobs are ligit.
>
> On 11/15/13, Peter Donahue <pdonahue2 at satx.rr.com> wrote:
>> Hello Joe and everyone,
>>
>>      Totally agreed! You also need to be open-minded to exploring and
>> trying
>>
>> other income-producing vehicles besides a traditional job. We've seen
>> many blind individuals being presented with such options and they
>> refuse to have
>>
>> any part of them. Then they wonder why they don't have opportunity.
>> Society
>>
>> didn't tell them to reject such income-producing opportunity. The
>> economy didn't tell them to say "No" to such opportunities when they
>> were presented
>>
>> to them by caring friends and potential mentors. Mary and I have seen
>> this happen for many years and the blind individuals that were
>> presented with such alternatives are no better off than they were when
> seeking that job.
>>      Folks a traditional job isn't the only way to make a living. The
>> next time someone wishes to share an income-producing opportunity to
>> you and the
>>
>> association and parent company are reputable give it a go and reach
>> for the
>>
>> stars.
>>
>> Peter Donahue who looks forward to owning his own plane so he and wife
>> Mary
>>
>> will no longer have to put up with the behavior of U.S. Air and other
>> airlines concerning their treatment of the blind.
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Joe" <jsoro620 at gmail.com>
>> To: "'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'"
>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Thursday, November 14, 2013 6:40 PM
>> Subject: [nabs-l] Stop Blaming the Economy
>>
>>
>> Yes, the economy could be better, but I have to say it irritates me to
>> hear people blame the economy for being unemployed. There are lots of
>> jobs out there. The shortage has more to do with unqualified
>> applicants. Brush up your skills. Don't be picky about the job you can
>> grab. Prepare a compelling resume. Be honest at the interview about
>> what you can and cannot do. Think outside the box, because if the
>> training centers are as phenomenal as people say, we ought to see more
>> blind people working the fast food circuit. I'm not saying you should
>> settle for minimum wage for the rest of your life.
>> I'm
>> not saying you're going to get hired tomorrow if you pound the
>> pavement according to the suggestions above. I'm not even saying that
>> everything you find will be easily accessible, but I am saying you
>> need to stop blaming life for not getting a fair shake in the job
>> market. I met a guy once who was really ashamed to admit he was
>> working at a Lighthouse, and it pissed me off to no end because to me
>> what mattered is that he had a job. Eventually you work your way to
>> the job you really want, work up the corporate ladder, and you know,
>> you work your ass off to get there just like everyone else, blind or
>> sighted. Figure out your weaknesses and make it your full-time job to
>> strengthen them, whether it's screen reader proficiency, Excel, Word,
>> whatever. But, for crying out loud, stop blaming the damn economy,
>> because if you wait for a perfect economic state, you'll still be
>> looking for a job when you kick the bucket.
>>
>> Joe
>>
>>
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-- 
Take care,
Ty
http://tds-solutions.net
He that will not reason is a bigot; he that cannot reason is a fool; he that dares not reason is a slave.