BellaOnline Forums Career Unemployment Reading: Never Get a Real Job

I've been reading this book Never Get A Real Job by Scott Gerber.

It's been interesting... though I'm still waiting for that "ah ha" moment LOL.

He's basically saying that what worked for our parents, and their parents, and maybe even for us early in our lives, won't continue to work. Where a college education used to guarantee a job, it doesn't anymore. And that the majority of kids who graduate college will end up moving home again because they can't find a job in their degree field.

These kids are being called the "Boomerang Generation."

It's a bit frustrating to think about that --- but it's also an opportunity to start thinking out of the box...

I'm only about half-way through the book. A lot of what he's saying doesn't actually pertain to me, because I'm not interested in starting up a business. I just like being writer and performer LOL!!

Absolutely Angela. I'm thinking of even having my kids read this book when they get a bit older.

My oldest, who is 14 1/2, is a very good drummer. And I plan on continuing to nurture that musical ability. I really believe in this day and age we have a much better chance of marketing our artistic abilities than we did 20 years ago.

That book sounds great. I could post a gazillion links for you on why getting a job is just plain dumb and that stuff about college is true. My son isn't going if I have anything to do with it.

The one thing that is most obvious right now is that knowledge about a specific topic + ability to teach it wisely are THE most valuable skills any person can have right now.

In the funny words of Steve Pavlina "The idea that a job is the most secure way to generate income is just silly. You can�t have security if you don�t have control, and employees have the least control of anyone. If you�re an employee, then your real job title should be professional gambler."

I also love his statement about "Getting a job is like enrolling in a human domestication program. You learn how to be a good pet.

Look around you. Really look. What do you see? Are these the surroundings of a free human being? Or are you living in a cage for unconscious animals? Have you fallen in love with the color beige?

How�s your obedience training coming along? Does your master reward your good behavior? Do you get disciplined if you fail to obey your master�s commands?

Is there any spark of free will left inside you? Or has your conditioning made you a pet for life?" This is my beef with having a job. I can't stand being told what to do, how to do it, and how much I will earn for doing it." Pavlina cracks me up and his article on this topic is awesome.

I say, "take your job and shove it" I'll work for myself thanks!

BTW, Deanna being a writer and performer is a business. Everything is a business whether you like it or not. The choice of whether to make money doing it is what the real issue is.

Angela, your blog is fabulous. You are a very inspiring writer. Why aren't you writing for the Unemployment site here at BellaOnline.com?

I agree... we have to be very creative in this recession, because you know what I've discovered? There's money out there. There are people spending money. My husband's band played a party and they earned about $300 each! For four hours!

Creativity is the key! And enthusiasm, yes?

Monica, I laughed so hard when I read your post - those quotes are fabulous!!

I agree about the "obedience training." LOL!! Sadly, most people are taught from childhood to be drones through their schooling - where hardly any critical thinking skills are taught. That's why getting a "real job" seems to be the only alternative. It's hard to think out of the box when it's been pounded into you to just go with the flow and never question anything.

Geez... I'm still laughing over that quote about being a "Professional Gambler." HA HA!!!!

I remember my first real job - I worked for a mortgage company. I had medical insurance, and a 401k and retirement! I worked there for 10 years and figured I'd retire from there. I got laid off when the company was bought out.

So much for security.

And yes, again, you are absolutely right. Part of my learning to "think out of the box" has been to accept that I have to be a business woman. No one is going to come along and "discover" me. It's about the effort I put into it.

I think that nothing in this world can really guarantee anything. It's truly just rolling the dice. A job might not provide security on its own, but I do think that having a job contributes to your being if you want it to. If you don't, that's okay too! Some people start businesses and make millions, others work and get promoted, others work from home.

You do what works best and hope for results, but you can never say that anything is your best bet.