I have a friend whom I've never met in person, but whom over the course of a couple years has become a very good friend to me. He's presently studying theology, recently got married, is a very rigourous thinker, and someone whom I've relied upon, and he upon me. This last summer he's been paying the bills by lifeguarding as he and his wife settled into their new place. Summer is ending, and he's looking for a job to carry him through until at least next summer. Loans and scholarships are only helping him and his wife so far and that money will run out before the end of this year, and that's with paying the bare minimum for food and rent, so getting a new job is high priority and will mean the difference between staying in school and being forced to leave.
The problem is he is going to school in New Orleans.
He has tonight informed me that his last resort has dried up. Of the numerous applications and interviews, none will take him. Its not like he's not qualified for what's available. And starting his 7th semester kind of suggests he's at least able to hold down the equivalent of a part time job with his school work. So what's wrong?
He and his wife do have family. But only my friend's sister lives near and is having her own financial issues. His parents live a bit further, but they are only barely getting by themselves. His dad used to run a summer camp but was forced out by one of the board members that supervises this particular one. The guy that forced the dad out now runs the camp.
To put it bluntly, the continued lack of work prospects is making him cynical to say the least. He fears that perhaps despite his qualifications and good standing, people don't like him for some intangible reason. Or perhaps he doesn't know the right people. Or perhaps the 'NOW HIRING' sign is just a ploy to trick the recovery assistance people into giving the business more money, while the owner pockets the cash instead of hiring people. I don't know if any of these is true or not as I'm not there, and I'm not in his position.
But what I do know, is that I can ask my fellow Kossacks to help my friend. If any one has any information on jobs that will hire early a 21 year old with no criminal record in the New Orleans area, please let me know. He's a really nice guy, can work with people, and takes what ever he does very seriously. He recently switched schools and at his previous one had held down jobs easily, one for over 2 years. What do you say? Can you help?