By Erin Richardson
IV Leader Staff Columnist, Sept. 3, 2009
I was having a good day until I picked up my local Ottawa/Streator newspaper on Aug. 24. I usually start with page one and move all the way through. I, of course, skip certain areas that don’t spark my interest.
When I came to the classifieds it was business as usual, meaning I just wanted to skip it all and get to the Funnies.
Then something prompted me to look at the “Help Wanted” ads. Keep in mind, I was not, nor am I, looking for a job. I just felt I needed to look. Obviously, I looked for good reason, because it only showed THREE JOBS! I could not believe what I was seeing.
Picture this, I am sitting in a big comfy chair, reading the paper, and my jaw drops. That’s it — my jaw hanging there, and me looking confused.
I keep up with the news on a regular basis, so it is not as if I am oblivious to our economic state, but this was scary. Is the job market in such a slump, that a once fruitful area for employment is suffering? That question was answered in the Help Wanted section of the newspaper. This was a huge eye-opener for me.
What does it all mean? I don’t have any answers. However, I do know we all need to work together to remedy this situation. It will not fix itself with pointing fingers. We as a united nation should realize this. Let us set our differences aside and come up with solutions.
Who knew the Help Wanted ads would change my outlook on life. What happens if I open the paper next week and it hasn’t any want ads?