Being out of work since Aug. '07 and being a 99'r is a challenge. The current jobs bill includes segregation such as 'do not hire the unemployed' creates a dilemma. The challenges that exist are equivalent to what Rosa Parks faced and must be addressed. That challenge is discrimmination and an American Tradition.

I see alot of NJ IT Computer folks on here.

Unfortunately (or fortunately), I am a 99er. Not by choice, mind you. Lay off's occurred and our center being shut down. Although I consider myself fortunate since I was 62 when this happened. I did not want to retire and would have liked to have worked until 66. I managed a medical records department, working as a transcriptionist as well as creating medical charts. Multi-tasking to the max. Do I think I will get another job. Deep down - no. But still trying. No doubt to the ire of the 2011 grads, both high school and college. Oh well...I may be a "baby boomer" but in my heart I know I bring experience and loyalty to any employment area.

Transition may be permanent but time waits for no man or woman. What many of us fear is time because we are so close to that "magic" retirement age. Sorry but I'm not willing to "have to" change jobs...whenever I get hired...several times before 65. Retirement for me, at the moment, is a 4 letter word because I will never have...unless I win the lottery...enough money to retire:( And I have a strong feeling that quite a number of folks are in the same boat!

Yes, we are or rather were, defined by our vocations and achievement along the lines of excellence. We grew up with that sense of "Norman Rockwell American Values" with guidance that if we study hard, go to college and graduate we then would be rewarded with being able to find a good job. All of these things have apparently changed now and are "so yesterday". The question remains as to what they are changed too?

Bob posted this update in our general comments section, and I added it here: I was one of the first to be interviewed by Sue when she started this project, and wanted to provide a follow-up to my video. In late October, I landed a consulting position as an IT Project Manager at a global manufacturing firm. It is a great opportunity and I am very pleased to have landed there. If there is one lesson that my transition has taught me, it is that transition is permanent, and jobs are temporary. As a result, I continue to network and help others in their employment quest. Thank you Sue, for giving me the opportunity to tell my story.