The following is an excerpt from Alternet.org. Click on link to read entire article.

“When you lose your job, with no prospect of finding another one quickly, you give up a lot more than income. You are deprived of a sense of security, a source of self-esteem, a certain status in the community. And, according to recent research, you also lose something even more precious: a year or more of your life.

This article appeared on CNN.com/living on June 29 from CareerBuilder.com. Click on link to read entire article.

“Sherry Shealy Martschink, 57, is a former state legislator, state senator and worker’s compensation commissioner for South Carolina.

She’s a recent law school graduate and has experience in journalism, marketing and education.

For the past few years during her job search, she’s been told — in not so many words — that she’s overqualified.

This is an email conversation between UP member Pamela Allee and UP site editor Diane Alexander:

Pamela writes:

Everyone deserves to earn a good living! Let’s stop the nonsense that people without degrees are less deserving of respect, etc. — so often by those with degrees. Possession of a degree does not necessarily indicate anything more than privilege.

I have a secret obsession—soap operas from Asia. Ok, it’s not a secret anymore. I just love them. Most of my favorites are from Taiwan and South Korea. They often have formulaic plots, usually have funny side characters, and best of all they end after a few weeks. My latest indulgence is a Korean drama called “City Hall” about a sassy woman who becomes the mayor of her hometown and romances an up and coming national politician. What does this have to do with United Professionals?

Tom Bishop is the Marketing Program Manager at AutomatedQA, and is responsible for the company’s online campaign strategy, messaging and material development, communications and sales department support. To United Professionals, he offers experience in online strategy and implementation of community building and communications programs. Tom brings more than ten [...]

“After the first hearing in its legislative history, it’s unclear whether a bill that would require companies to offer paid sick days will take a path toward reconciliation or strife between business and advocacy groups.

But at a June 11 meeting of a House Education and Labor subcommittee, the Healthy Families Act created tension between the panel’s Democratic chairwoman and an official of the Society for Human Resource Management.

Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-California, said the bill, which would allow employees to accrue up to seven paid sick days each year, would provide economic security for workers who cannot take time off for themselves or loved ones during an illness because they are afraid of losing their jobs.

Need a laugh or a break from your routine? Here is an excerpt from the blogsite www.unemplymentality.com:

“The unemploymentality is a transformative state of mind that is the result of a sudden loss of job. Initial symptoms include spite and resentment towards the ubiquitous “economy.” People in these early stages can often be found at bars and Speakeasys, their heads hung low over a pint. Later stages of the unemploymentality are subtle as it adapts to the individual’s social, political and cultural environment.

Barbara Ehrenreich delivered this commencement address to the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism class of 2009 on May 16. This reprint is from the San Francisco Chronicle:

The dean gave me some very strict instructions about what to say today. No whining and no crying at the podium. No wringing of hands or gnashing of teeth. Be upbeat, be optimistic, he said — adding that it wouldn’t hurt to throw in a few tips about how to apply for food stamps.

The economic meltdown is old news. The decay of the housing industry has been talked to death. Sometimes life is just hard, so what are we supposed to do? How can we move from whining and victimhood to coping, achieving and succeeding?

First, beef up your communication skills. In order to get what you need in life you must be able to express yourself. Great communication skills are what help you ace job interviews, meet interesting people and sell yourself and your ideas. Employers expect you to be able to talk to customers, solve problems without resorting to slang or vulgarity and write up readable reports. Potential mates (or dates) want someone who listens attentively and responds empathetically.

Healthcare-NOW! is organizing a nationwide day of action on and around Saturday, May 30th, 2009. Actions are happening in over 50 cities.

Join a rally near you:
Augusta, ME - May 30th
Austin, TX - May 30th
Boise, ID - May 30th
Boston, MA - May 30th
Chicago, IL - June 2nd
Cleveland, OH - May 30th
Denver, CO - May [...]