Texans Among Millions Of Underemployed Americans
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - There are some 14 million Americans counted among the ranks of the unemployed. Outside of those with no job at all, there are millions more actively looking for work -- they are the underemployed.
An underemployed person either has a part-time job or is working a low paying full-time job just to have some income.
CBS 11 News spoke with one North Texan who has both a bachelor's and master's degree, currently isn't using either, but is just grateful to be working.
"My background is in business. [I hold] a bachelor's degree in accounting and a master's degree in finance," explained Ross Wyche.
Wyche's résumé shows that he's done everything right, but, "Right now, I'm making lockers. Never thought I'd be doing that; but, this is where I am."
Wyche has lots of company. In addition to those out-of-work there are millions in positions for which they're overqualified.
For more than a year Wyche has been looking for a job in his field. "You're competing against a lot of individuals and I think the number of jobs is limited. And it's just difficult," he said.
So while he hopes that President Obama's jobs initiative will produce quick results -- there's always the politics.
"I think, first and foremost, if he has this great plan and there's no cooperation, it's for a loss. I think that's key," Wyche said of the need for bipartisanship. "Both sides of the parties have to work together to make this thing right."
But until something happens to 'make it right' Wyche will just keep making lockers. "You can't throw in the towel. So, you've got to do what you got to do," he said. "And that requires, just hustling, contacting people, everybody you talk to: 'hey, do you know about any openings', sending resumes, just being prayerful, and just keeping the faith that something will come about."
While continuing his job search, Wyche said that just having a job to go to is a big mental boost. He believes the longer you sit on the couch, being depressed about not having a job, the harder it is to muster the energy to get up and go look for one.
