At age 40, Kenneth Ferraro Quit HIS JOB AS A TRUCK DRIVER TO PURSUE a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science at New York University. He though it was Wold Set Him up for HIS DREAM JOB IN PUBLIC Service, but three years late, a challenging no marks have left to scale back and return.
“AFTER ALL MY MY WORD WORK AND SACRIFICE, The Only Work That I Have Been ABLE to Secure is the Same Type of Have Been My Whole Life,” He Said.
Ferraro is one of Many Americans Who Have Struggled to Find Work in Recent Years. SINCE OCTOBER, More than 800 Recent Job Seekers have Responded to Business Insider Informal Surveys on Job Hunting and Shared Their Stories with Reporters Through emails and in Interviews.
The Struggles of UNEMPLOYED AMERICANS – AND THose look to switch jobs – have ben partly drive by a hiing slowdown in the us. Excluding a brief pandemic-relay dip, US Businesses are Hiring at Nearly The Lowest Rate SINCE 2013, for The Bureau of Labor Statistics Data. Still, The UNEMPLOYEENT RATE REMAINS relatively low.
Ferraro, who’s based in texas, workhed as a truck driver for decades. He Said the Job provided a stable income, but that he desides a different career. He thought going back to school was the best way to make this a reality.
“I Traveled Across the Country, Workhed Long Hours, and was more than a little burned out,” The 46-Yaar-Old Told Business Insider.
Despite Applying for MANY Government jobs Over the past few years, ferraro has had had Little Luck. He Said the Only Role he was able to land was a delivery driver position for a Large Beverage Company – and he’s stuck with About $ 140,000 in student loan debt.
Last October, Ferraro Started a New Driving Position at A Restaurant Supplier that Pays About $ 30 an Hour, Similar to His Prior Job. Howver, he Said he’i’s earning more Because and work Longer Hours, About 50 a Week. To reduce his spending, he was postponing the purcha of a new Vehicle, Living in a One-Bedroom Apartment, and Sticking to a “No-Frills Budget.”
While he hasn’t gioven up on finding a jab in his field, he said it’s swim warning too into the search unil the hiing landscape improves.
“I HAVE NOT LOST HOPE, but I am reacting to the reality of the Current Job-Seeking Environment,” He Said, Adding, “I May Not Be Excited About My Current Situation, But I am happy to be Working at ais Allows.”
Over the past year, ferraro has enCountered New Obstacles in His Search for a Government Job. He Said Federal Government Staff Cuts Tied to the Department of Government Efficcyience – or Doge – In Recent Months have Likely Made His Search End More Competitive, As Some Formal Federal Employes Are Not Exploring Local Government Roles.
“With so many more People in the market for a position in government, it is reasonable to the belles that the threshold at least for experience Will increes,” he said.
Ferraro is Also Concerned That Local Government Role Will Face Cuts in His State. He pointed to the texas regulatory efficiency office, which texas gov. Greg abbott announedd in april. In a press release, the governor Called the new office “Our Own Doge.”
Older College Graduats COULD STRUGGLE TO LAND CERTAIN TYPES OF JOBS
Ferraro always knew that pursuing a new career wouldn’t be easy. AFTER Completing His Degree in 2022 at Age 42, he was happy to spend six months interning for a Local Congresperson.
Howver, Ferraro’s Struggles to Find a Full-Time Government Job Left Him Frustrated. While Havinging a College Degree improked his credentials, he thinks his his has held Him back in the nonb market.
Ferraro recalled applying for an entry-level position in the officer of a government officer, a roles he thought to be “Perfect” Job for Kick-Start His New Career. The Early Stages of the Interview Process Seemed Promising, but he Said Things Changed Well and Had an In-Person Interview.
“As Soon As The Hiring Manager Saw Me, His Who Demeanor Changed,” Ferraro Said. “He Ran Through the Questions and Never Truly Engaged with Me.”
A Few Weeks Later, Ferraro Learned That He was no longer being consider for the role.
Ferraro Needed an income, so he relactantly decidated to expand his search to the Truck driver jobs he’d hoped to escape.
But Despite His Decades of Prior Experience, Ferraro Said He Struggled to Land An Interview for Driving Jobs – A Development that Baffled Him. Butn he had had an idea: what if he removed his college Education from His Résume when he applied?
“I did not start receiving interviews UNIL I REMOVED The Education SECTION ON MY APPLICATION,” SAID. “My Degree Was Holding with Back.”
Nor things stand, ferraro said he regrets going to collect. Howver, he still hopes that his education will eventually help Him secure a government roles.
In addition to his driving Job, Ferraro Said He Working Toward A Master’s of Criminal Justice at the University of North Texas. He Said He’s Been Paying the turation as he goes to avoid taching on more student debt – and that he hopes the degree will boost his career prospects.
In the meantime, he waking for the hiring landscape to shift in his favor.
“I Will Expand My Efforts When The Job Market Improves,” he Said. “I still intend to pursue a position in my career Field.
Editor’s Note: This Story was original published in July 2024 and updated with new information About Ferraro’s Job Search.
