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Preview: Trapped in Unemployment

February 16, 2012 11:48 AM

As the number of Americans without work for a year or two rises into the millions, Scott Pelley reports on a program designed to help the long term unemployed back into the workplace. Watch 60 Minutes on Sunday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. ET/PT.

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by CelinaGradijan February 20, 2012 10:29 PM EST
Investing in America's workforce is the only way through these issues. This is a great program developed by Joe Carbone in CT to help those that have been struggling with long-term unemployment. Joe's organization (The Workplace) is part of a national system, funded in part through the Workforce Investment Act, that authorizes nearly 550+ local business-led workforce investments boards (WIBs) that cover all fifty states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Territories to oversee and coordinate services through a network of 3,000 One-Stop Career Centers. Each of these Career Centers offers a similar set of services that can be assessed by any business or job seeker. It is incredulous that Congress continues to debate whether to reauthorize or fund the Workforce Investment Act when chronic unemployment is at epidemic proportions. To learn more about this system or locate specific resources in your area, go to www.WorkforceInvestmentWorks.com
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by globalnerd February 19, 2012 10:22 PM EST
There are so many talented individuals in the US who have experience that employers overseas would love to access. Why isn't emigration discussed more? Economies rise and fall, and when they fall, people in other countries emigrate to find better opportunities. Why do so few US citizens consider this option? I have a well-paying job in the Mexico City office of a UK-based company. My lifestyle isn't fancy, but I have a higher standard of living than when I lived in Chicago and earned $50k annually. Get creative job-seekers! There are plenty of opportunities in the world, they're just not all in the US anymore! Good luck!!
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by 28hillcrest February 19, 2012 8:10 PM EST
just viewed the show on unemployment...two years ago there were a few venues to work on your resume and group consulting in fairfield county. I have not seen any available lately. I am over 50 and have been off and on over the last three years. Unimployment has ran out (and even If I got a gob for a day, I was told that I would loose my coverage while receiving unimployment, I was greatful to have had this and learned quickly how to live with very modestly). I am now desperate to even interview to a new job as I have been an expert in my field for so lone that I have to be humble to even get more then $12.00 per hour now) and also have the same fears as everyone else had in this segment. I Have very little left in 401K that will last only for the next month. Do not own anything and have already sold all gold in house (looking for more items to let go of that I do not need anymore). Home Depot and Target tomorrow, to at least get insurance that ran out last Jan 2010. love rice and beans but enough after living modertly at 90+ a year after 35+ years working... Yes that is what is cost to live in Fairfield, County, CT even a rental in the ghetto where there are shootings every other Day here...So lets add the female part to this and where are the trailers to move into here?? not is this county
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by unemployedtoolong February 19, 2012 8:03 PM EST
I just saw the story regarding the "long term unemployed". I have been out of work since August/2008 without any prospect in sight. I am also now "61" years of age, have gone through everything I have ever ever had in this life, I presently continue to fight with all family members as unless you "walk" in "our" shoes, who understands any of this? I too was a professional at one time who had two careers that I was fortunate to ascertain in this life. Once I became unemployed, I was offered schooling to be able to learn something new and to be able to put it together with some of the other professions. I went through the schooling without any result whatsoever. I am too presently on food stamps and on the verge of bankruptcy and stressed each and every day of my life, as now we are out too long, no longer "current" if you will, "lazy" as I have heard, too old as in my case, for which age discrimination is more rampant today then it has ever been all because of a recession so severe it leaves me personally in a hole, I do not see a way out of presently. I was also forced out of a state wherein I was born and raised and educated and worked in my entire life, and I miss terribly only to come to another state wherein, if you are not a "recovering" whatever, or a past "criminal" they won't even look at you, so the answer is?
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by benny1927 February 19, 2012 8:01 PM EST
As the former President and COO of a privately held corporation, I to have had to seek employment in another industry..automotive, car sales.
I have experienced first hand the discrimination because of age and/or length of unemployment.

My new profession has shown me how the public sector is over compensated...purchasing $80-100,000 automobiles with monies that taxpayers have provided as their income. Everything is upside down.

Our government officials view themselves and the elite and are passing down the spoils.

I am working to eliminate all of the above...but I am only one voice. Look into what I have indicated and if in agreement, join me in the revolt of our elected elite.
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by mdliegey February 19, 2012 8:00 PM EST
Well, Guys and Ladies, your reporting is not what 60 Minutes reporting used to be.

I was unemployed for almost three years. Even though I am perfectly qualified for my profession (pastry chef, CIA trained), I could not find a job. Did they think I was too old? Did they think that I wanted too much salary? I don't know for sure. But what I DO know, is that they wouldn't hire me. Did they even THINK to ask me if I would work for the amount of money that they were willing to offer???? NO!!!!! Did I loose my home??? YES!!! Did I almost loose my rental apartment???? YES!!! Being a single man, could I get any help from the U.S. government? NO!!!!Because I had no dependent children! Illegal (or not) aliens could get all the help that they needed if they had children. But not me, a natural-born citizen.

Walmart gave me a job as a greeter.....at minimum wage. Finally, the restaurant where I had worked before (and had closed during the "great recession") re-opened and they called me back to work.

Do your reporters have any idea what the masses have been going through the last few years? 60 minutes completely missed the boat on this issue.

It's high time that somebody reports on the plight of the single person who has absolutely no government resources to fall back on.
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by RamsFan7 February 19, 2012 7:57 PM EST
What else can be done to find work? I work my ass off everyday looking, calling back, adjusting my resume to fit the job, and still nothing. I ve been told to go back to school. Where do i get the money for that? I ve been told I am over qualified. What does that even mean? I applied for a job as a grounds keeper and was told I wouldn't do well because of what was on my resume. If I can't work in labor and I can't work in the office, where am I supposed to work?
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by dklove71 February 19, 2012 7:54 PM EST
This is one of the BEST stories I have ever seen from CBS. Among other things, I'm so glad that the story mentions the psychology of being long term unemployed--especially if you have extensive educational credentials. I have an engineering degree and an MBA from a top-tier business school. And have be unemployed for three years. I found out the hard way that the world does not need financial analysts, but it does need power systems engineers. I've decided to change careers, apply to graduate school for a masters degree in electrical engineering and for the first time in nearly three years, I am hearing "YES"...at the tune of being accepted at a Big-10 school on full scholarship with $22,000 in funding. Even more importantly, I have HOPE for a career whose demand is inelastic to the vagaries of the global market. Power companies cannot outsource power lines to India or China, and you have to be a US citizen to get these high-paying engineering jobs, which I am. I went from begging for a finance job interview, to being fought over by top graduate schools for an opportunity to change the course of my career (and circumstances) drastically for the better.

Outstanding story 60 Minutes.
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by benny1927 February 19, 2012 7:53 PM EST
As a member of the unemployed in America I to have been discriminated against...age and the length of unemployment. It has been 1-1/2 years and needing income I am now selling cars to make ends meet. This is after being in my words a successful President and COO of a privately held corporation.

I am now finding that people in the public sector are compensated better than those of equal employment in the private sector. I have sold new $50,000 cars to individuals who are are lower level military individuals.

Everything is upside down. It is not only corporate America, but also our government and military sectors that need a wake up call. We need politicians that do not view themselves as America's elite!!!

I am working to change all of the above so that others do not experience what I have had to endure.
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by TerryAnnEmployed February 19, 2012 7:51 PM EST
One other thought for the unemployed:
Temp Agency !!!!!
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