The true stories in this collection are based on the employment experiences of four people. Some of the stories were written in the context of their participation in the LaSalle Adult Learning Project. Some come from interviews that were then transcribed and edited into a form that could most easily be shared with other adult learners. A number of themes around employment and unemployment run through the variety of experiences recounted by the four people. Each remembers moments in his or her personal history when being out of work was a positive step toward something better. Issues of self-respect and personal development are raised: questions of what it means to pick up roots in the course of seeking employment; to say no to a dangerous or disrespectful work situation; to take more responsibility on the job; to work for oneself. Stories are illustrated with photographs. (KC)
Authors
- Authorizing Institution
- La Salle Univ., Philadelphia, PA. Urban Studies and Community Services Center.
- Peer Reviewed
- F
- Publication Type
- Creative Works
- Published in
- United States of America
Table of Contents
- Table of Contents 4
- I once worked in the laundry of 6
- It was the kind of job that into trouble for drinking. 6
- I had all these little jobs. 7
- I couldnt get a desk job 7
- I just kept hoping and looking for the best. I couldnt sit down 8
- Driving.a Schoolbus 9
- I fill out two logs. 9
- Im still learning. 10
- I should only have to tell them things but I have to tell them about four Then I have these wild kids in back of and the nuts in the cars in front. 10
- And the little ones dont want to give 10
- Our driving habits are going to help them obey 10
- More Responsibility More Stress 11
- The only responsibility you had 11
- But as a schoolbus driver Im responsible 11
- Im dealing with a lot of things 11
- I dont have any boss looking at 11
- A lot of guys go and quit 11
- A Ticket to New York 15
- But my marriage didnt turn out to be 15
- I had this dream of living happily 15
- I j ist got tired of that. 15
- He would go off and do things trying to survive. 15
- At first I had a couple of bad deals. 16
- My shopping bag was torn and my clothes falling out. 17
- I had met this girl on the bus 17
- I didnt know what to think of this nice clean 18
- But I cant classify those two ladies 18
- I said Look its my job Ill do it. 19
- I work hard trying to do right by him. I dont want him to Its a hard situation for him. shell come Trying to discipline him at home in 20
- Im trying to keep his the right thing to do. 20
- At first I worked A punch press tc bend stainless steel that would be used for metal file cabinets 21
- No pension. Just a social security check. This is all Ive got to work for. 22
- I got to the point where physically I would get up 22
- I didnt want to be in that kind of 23
- I like going 24
- Its preparation for opportunity. 24
- I dont want a whole lot of 25
- One lady I took care of didnt treat me fairly 27
- I couldnt drink out of her cups or her glasses 27
- I couldnt use the radio. 27
- But this agency didnt tell me because it didnt work out. 29
- The nurses aid work that Im doing 29
- I was once taking care of this lady 30
