Job Wanted

I have been thinking a lot about the spirituality of work, or lack of, lately. The topic is hot again on podcasts and blogs. So far, my retirement has reminded me how much I loved working. Work, if we love it, defines us in surprising ways, giving life meaning, purpose, and fulfillment—the very definition of an abundant, spiritual life. Now, in retirement, without a “proper job,” I have to find alternative ways to funnel my need to work. Fortunately, there are plenty of avenues available.

At the end of March, my twenty-two-year-old grandson, Ethan, asked us if he could move in for a while.  He’s currently a student at the Laguna College of Art and Design in Laguna Beach.  His reasoning was sound and mature. Living at home in a family of five with pets and constant activity was problematic. He couldn’t focus properly and needed a quiet, solitary place to concentrate on his artwork. Since the upstairs of our house has two bedrooms and a bath, and is unoccupied, we agreed he could stay until school was out for the summer.

Living with Ethan is like living with a monk. He spends most of his time in his “cell” without disturbing anyone. He is quiet, self-sufficient, has few needs, and comes and goes with discipline and purpose. In short, he’s different from most young adults his age. I coax him to eat dinner with us (when he’s here) by providing the food he likes. He seems to enjoy my cooking and sitting down to eat at approximately the same time.  I worry about his lack of social stimulation and if he is truly happy but he assures me he is “fine.”  Unlike me, he is a young man of few words.

This is finals week. Classes are completed for the year, and no summer school curriculum. Now, Ethan needs and wants a summer job more than anything. We have discussed his future many times. His goals are clear: graduate from college, earn some money, move into his own place, and become independent.  Don’t we all remember those yearnings?  While accomplishing goals was never simple, Ethan has other factors against him.  Despite applying for many positions, he has been unsuccessful in obtaining work.  When asked why, the answer is “no experience.”  That common Catch-22 dates as far back as time itself. Simply encouraging him to keep trying seems like a hollow echo, given the many obstacles he has faced.

COVID-19 hit when Ethan was in high school. He spent his entire senior year learning online. His class graduated in person, but the graduates were sequestered into immediate family groups outside, distanced six feet apart.  The gymnasium was empty as we watched him walk across the stage and receive his diploma without fanfare. We clapped and cheered from the periphery, but the sound, muffled and lackluster, fell flat. Ethan spent that summer at home, isolated as we all were, from the deadly virus. In the fall, he enrolled at Saddleback College, also online. You get the picture. He has not had what anyone would call a “normal” young adulthood. So many milestones were delayed, like learning to drive (he finally got his license last summer), experiencing college campus life, dating, and going out with friends.   When COVID isolation was finally lifted, he took public transportation to and from school alone.  In essence, he has lived like a hermit for the past four years. No experience? That’s a matter of opinion. He has learned valuable life skills about time management, solitary endeavors, and navigating online communities with alacrity. But none have helped him find a job.  Unfortunately, this is a common problem today.

Now, job applications are curated by AI, sifting through algorithms and keywords. Ethan’s gets tossed immediately because there is nothing written in the “previous job experience” box. When he inquires in person about a job opening, he is directed to the website’s online application. Frustration is mounting. How does a young person find a job these days?  I am trying to help, but out of unique ideas. I go back to the old adage that it’s “who you know,” a personal contact, that might turn the tide. Convinced that it “takes a village” to find a simple summer job for an honest, hard-working art student, I turn to you, my readers, for help. Any leads are appreciated!

The spirituality of work starts with a job. Please email or leave me a message. Thanks!