Economic observation - I need a Job!!!

[sfwriter]

Hi there,

I've been doing some first-hand research on the Bush Economy and wanted to report in.

Oldtimers on DU will remember me more than the HOARDS of newer people. Now, I come to you all looking for work. Previously, when a startup I've worked for or a company or nonprofit has folded, I've had NO PROBLEM finding work. I know a lot of people and rarely go more than a week without an offer of some sort. This time though, I've sent out a couple dozen resumes and gotten back NOTHING. Half the people I know are unemployed or so underemployed as to be laughable. Nobody is hiring.

For the last two years, I've been helping nonprofits with their technology needs. What I've seen firsthand is that this year, donations to foundations are WAAAAAAAAY down. I've had two sponsoring organizations go out of business when their grants were cut, and now it is my turn. In October, my grant runs out as well. On a political note, I think this is tax-cut fallout. Less taxes=fewer deductions=fewer donations. Plus, charities always hurt in hard times.

Anyhow, I've been assisting 30 or so nonprofits as their IT guy. For some I've just been an advisor and consultant. For others, I've done everything. I have a broad technology and communications background, writing experience, marketing experience, and can easily pick up new technologies or describe them to others.

I'm looking for work first in the SF bay area, and after that I'll be looking further afield. If anyone has any ideas, let me know. I'm down to part-time until the hatchet falls in October and I'm doing freelance writing and merchandising jobs to amass a warchest to ride out unemployment. I just feel lucky to be this far ahead of the game in Bushenomics 101. My friend Teri just sold her house after 18 months of unemployment. She WAS a Republican, BTW, and says she won't be making that mistake again in 2004!

Here's my resume sans references and contact info save my email address. DU is a caring community of geniuses. I expect to hear some great encouragement and awesome suggestions. And if anyone in the Howard Dean or Arianna Huffington campaigns is looking for a writer, I'm willing to travel, live out of a suitcase, and eat rice and beans to see you elected. Let's talk. :-)

All the best,

-Sandy

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[e-mail]

Professional History

Oaklandtech Project - Oakland, CA
www.oaklandtech.org
Founder (4/03 - Present)
* Provide IT support to nonprofits in Fruitvale and San Antonio
* Increase public awareness of nonprofit technology needs

Computer Street Academy – Oakland, CA
www.computerstreet.org
Technology Outreach Coordinator (3/02 – Present)
* Support clients of Computer Street Academy
* Provide consulting services on a wide variety of systems and software (Linux/Mac/PC)
* Assist with hardware and software disposal and recycling within the community

Developmental Studies Center - Oakland, CA
Helpdesk Operator (2/01 - 4/02)
* Supported a staff of 50+ on Macintosh Computers
* Trained on Final Cut Pro 2 - produced tape dupes as needed
* Conducted monthly training classes (Filemaker, MS Office Apps, etc.)
* Installed and prepared new computers for use
* Side projects including documentation, recalls, and evaluation
* Occasional server support as needed

Headlight.com - San Francisco, CA
Technical Writer (10/99 to 6/00) Content Engineer (6/00 to 2/01)
* Supported content for a variety of platforms in a Tcl/Sql environment
* Provided QA engineering of both content and ASP platform
* Provided HTML and Technical writing support to projects
* Work with Content Engineering department
* Managed certification channel on site (MCSE, A+, Novell, etc.)
* Wrote all marketing text on site
* Produced writer's guidelines and manual of style for site

United States Internet - Knoxville, TN
Customer Service Supervisor (2/95 - 6/96) Marketing Director (6/96 - 10/97)
* Developed and implemented a complete marketing plan covering six states
* Taught public-outreach classes on a variety of internet topics
* Built the helpdesk from three guys on the phone into a comprehensive call center
* Oversaw development of our software packages and documentation

Knoxville Macintosh Minute - WUTK-AM 850 - Knoxville, TN
Producer and Salesperson (3/93 - 3/95)
* Created, wrote and produced this regular feature on the Macintosh
* Sold all advertising and managed trade agreements
* Produced entirely digital audio program

CIT, Bookworm Student Library - Knoxville, TN
Multimedia Producer and Network Administrator (6/94 - 12/94)
* Responsible for all video and audio in the Bookworm line of products
* Administered a Macintosh/Windows NT Ethernet network

Telemedia Services, UT Continuing Education - Knoxville, TN
Producer (12/93 - 6/94)
* Produced televised classes broadcast to students across the state
* Used a variety of production and robotic video camera equipment

Apple Computer, Inc. - Knoxville, TN
Student Representative (8/93 - 2/94)
* Demonstrated and evangelized the Macintosh platform
* Arranged events, displays and the use of several "demo" machines

Freelance Author - Alameda, Oakland, and Knoxville, TN
Various Assignments (10/93 to present)
* Mac Demystified (1997, Newbridge, 768p) This bible covered everything about the Mac
* Moo Comic Strip (2002, Writer, www.mootoons.net)
* American Scary (2003, Producer, www.americanscary.com)
* Have written over 300 features, reviews and columns
* Clients include NASA, AIAA, Visual Imagination, InQuest, and others

Other Experience
I have worked as a reporter, producer and board operator for several radio
stations including WUTK - AM, WUTK - FM, and WIVK - AM. I also ran studio
camera from time to time during "beg-a-thons" at WKOP-TV, our Knoxville PBS
station. I have produced a documentary video on the Great Starts program of
Child and Family Services in Knoxville, a marketing video for Dark Horse
Comics, shot footage for filmmaker Matt Kohn of Firewalk Films and worked on
the humorous short films "Crazy Watto," "Darth Vader's Psychic Hotline," and
"Jedi Hunter." That last film won the Audience Choice Award in this year's Star
Wars Fan Film Contest. My current project is "American Scary," a documentary
about America's long tradition of horror hosts.

Education
I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from the University of
Tennessee with concentrations in Public Relations and Broadcasting. In 1999,
I completed writing studies with science fiction authors Greg Bear, Octavia Butler,
Nancy Kress, Howard Waldrop and Gweneth Jones as well as editor Gordon
Van Gelder at the Clarion West Science Fiction Workshop.