$18.4 Billion in Bonuses: Don’t Blame Wall Street!

Okay, what don’t the American public, Congress, and the President understand? You gave money to people who are in the business of making money—ANY WAY THEY CAN. You gave them the money with little or no strings attached and now you want to complain? That’s both stupid and ineffective; controls should have been put in place to ensure that taxpayer dollars were being spent as intended. At least, as a public sector contracts manager, I’m sworn and held accountable to do. And that’s the problem: no one is held accountable. Wall Street got themselves into this mess with shady deals, questionable investment practices; executives got their companies into this mess because they were more concerned with rewarding the stockholders and themselves than the overall health of their companies; banks got themselves into this mess by granting loans to people who obviously could not afford them; and the American public got itself into this mess by buying more than they could afford. Now, when the curtain falls and the show is a flop, no one wants to be held accountable.

You know, accountability is not all that hard, we, as citizens, just need to ask a few questions.

Write your President, Senator, and Representative today and ask them:

• President Obama, why did you, as a Senator, agree with a bailout plan that put little or no controls on how the taxpayer’s money could be spent?
• Congressman, why did you do the same?
• Are there no provisions to take the money back? Are there no sanctions?
• Mr. President, Congress, have you put provisions to safeguard taxpayer interest on the money you are about to give them?

You may contact your Congress via this online link from Contacting The Congress. White House.gov has a convenient online form you can use to contact your President.

And by the way Mr. President, if this happens again, don't call names, take the darn money back!

The Secret To Finding Jobs In An Obama Economy (Part 3 of 3)

While there seems to be much debate on Capital Hill about the size, scope, and timing of the ecomonic stimulus package, please note, there will be some sort of economic help on the horizon aimed at creating jobs. So, what can you do to be the best position to capatilize on this environment?


Do

• Polish up your skills or broaden them to be qualified for the job you want.


• Monitor you state, city, and county web sites for solicitations (remember, the package will work with Government dollars--solicitaitions must be duly advertised).


• Follow public college websites or visit them to find out what projects they will undertake.


• Check local newspaper public announcement pages.


• Review trade journals to see which companies seek contracts that involve your line of work.


• Follow your local City Council meetings for word on public works projects being undertaken.


• Meet with contractors and vendors NOW to introduce yourself, discuss your qualifications, and submit an application and/or resume.


• Read parts 1 and 2 of this post to find good websites for the position you want and build an online resume.

Don't

• Wait until jobs are advertised--by then you will be competing with hundreds of applicants.


• Assume the skills you have now will sufice: grow yourself!


• Rely soley on friends...who knows, they may be out of work soon themselves.


• Not look for a job just becuase you have one--'nuff said.

The Secret To Finding Jobs In An Obama Ecomomy (Part 2 of 3)

This is a continuance of a previous post on my ideas for finding jobs--this year!

Public School Modernization Jobs

According to CNNMoney.com, economists say as many as 150,000 jobs could be created from the proposed [Obama's] school building plan. This is another area that will generate jobs every skill set out there to modernize and rebuild school infrastructures, to training and development of teachers, administrators, and other employees on how to utilize the latest computer and software technologies. In addition, there will be a tremendous need for community planners, project manages, and contract managers. The need to train teachers on the use of new technologies and installation of new computer equipment and supplies also spell a boom for folks in Information Technology. To find these jobs, you can use all the normal Internet sources such as govtjobs.com, but to really get ahead of the pack, be sure to find and bookmark the following web pages: your local Board of Education; state, city, and county government web pages, local government Public Works web pages, all public college (including two-year institutions). Also, follow your city council meetings. Also, get tomorrow's Sunday newspaper and check the Public Announcement section. Please note that these will be public procurement projects that will be bid out or obtained with Grants (ah! Grant Writers!), so these projects will be advertised.

Communications Jobs

These jobs will involve a push to increase America's broadband capabilities. The hot jobs in this area will not only be the usual construction folks, installers, and computer technicians. Logisticians, project managers, planners, and office workers will be needed. And while you can wait until the jobs are advertised in the usual sources: newspaper, Internet (indeed.com, communicationsjobs.net, telecomcareers.net, careerbuilder.com), or at your local telecommunications affiliate (Comcast, AT&T, Alltel, Cox Communications, etc.), I still think your best bet is to check all the government sources these programs are meant to help. I know, I know, I keep harping on it--but just trust me, there's a method to my madness which I'll explain in Part 3 of this post.

Science, Research, and Technology Jobs

When I think of this, I see scientist of course. But those folks need a whole lot of support from lab assistants, research analyst, suppliers of goods (specimens, food, animals, etc.), administrative specialists, and the list just goes on and on. Perhaps the best way to find these jobs is speaking with the agencies being helped themselves: those receiving public money of any kind.

Well, I've covered quite a bit in parts 1 and 2 of this post. I'll give you some time to digest what I've outlined and then we'll get back together to recap.

Until then, PLEASE; let me know what you think, because someone who needs a job, needs you.

The Secret To Finding Jobs In An Obama Economy (Part 1 of 3)

Here are a few tips, based on the President’s agenda for an American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan, on where the jobs will be and how to find them:

• Doubling the production of alternative energy in the next three years.
• Modernizing more than 75% of federal buildings and improve the energy efficiency of two million American homes, saving consumers and taxpayers billions on our energy bills.
• Making the immediate investments necessary to ensure that within five years, all of America’s medical records are computerized [data entry and computer].
• Equipping tens of thousands of schools, community colleges, and public universities with 21st century classrooms, labs, and libraries.
• Expanding [communications] broadband across America, so that a small business in a rural town can connect and compete with their counterparts anywhere in the world.
• Investing in the science, research, and technology that will lead to new medical breakthroughs, new discoveries, and entire new industries.

In this, part one I discuss what the jobs will be and how to find them under the fist three elements of President Obama’s Recovery and Reinvestment Plan.

Alternative Energy or “Green Collar” Jobs

The majority of green jobs are what’s called “middle skill,” meaning that you need more education than a high school diploma but less than a bachelor’s degree, according to the Apollo Alliance. Green jobs include in all major industries such as manufacturing, construction, sales and agriculture. Since green jobs encompass just about every skill set, the most important thing to do now is find them. The following web pages are great starts: Apollo Alliance, Alternative Energy.com. Also, keep an eye on your state, city, county, and school web pages and articles in the newspaper—these jobs will be highly advertised as public works projects.

Modernization Jobs

This is a biggie! This too is another area that will encompass all skill sets from construction trades to secretaries to accountants. The only problem I see here is that many of the contractors seeking award of these jobs using an illegal labor force. There not supposed to do it, but believe me, unless the Obama team watches this, it will happen. USA Jobs is a great source for all federal jobs. Also, watch your newspaper for local improvement projects. Not surprisingly, one place that constantly does renovations and will be first in line is public sector housing. Also, keep an eye on small local contractors who are not big enough to bid on the multimillion dollar jobs but will try to cash in on the home improvement market. Workers and contractors, review FedBizOpps, the single source of advertisement for all Federal Government jobs, on a regular basis. Finally, when you’re driving through downtown, look! All federal jobs must be properly advertised with a banner or sign detailing the project.

Data Entry and Computer Jobs

Already red-hot, the health care field will continue to explode under an Obama administration. There will be a huge demand for Abstractors, Records Scanners, Site Managers, Medical Billing Clerks, Coding/Billing Instructors and trainers, Medical Review Nurses, Medical Receptionist, Medical Transcriptionist, Medical Billing and Coding Specialist, and Data Entry Clerks In fact CareerBuilder.com, a great source for these jobs, listed 10,477 jobs associated with these fields alone—better get started!
In order to take advantage, those outside of the health care field, such as traditional secretaries and data entry clerks, and office workers, may want to take time to freshen their skills or go back to school for Medical Coding and Billing, Medical Transcription, etc. Besides a bevy of Internet job sites such as CareerBuilder.com and Health care Jobs Career Center, your local newspaper also provides a great place to look for these jobs.. Don’t forget to talk to your doctor and dentist to find out where they got their people. And look around, there building those “immediate care” centers everywhere, they often take applications directly. Junior colleges and trade schools are also a goldmine because many have internships that lead to jobs once the program is complete.

Information Technology (IT) folks will also need to update their skills because the nature of their business makes technological obsolescence is a fact of life. I foresee a big demand for Database Managers and system configuration specialist to establish common standards for exchanging clinical information between independent computers. There will be a need for security specialists to safeguard all this personal information. Of course, hardware and software installers, vendors, and trainers, are just a few of the careers that will be in high demand. The best way to get at the front of these jobs is to take a look at who’s bidding on them. Turn to your large companies and don’t forget the government, particularly all the services. And I would continually review FedBizOpps: if you’re a contractor, you’ll see where the jobs are, if you’re a worker, you’ll see who was awarded the contract and then know where to apply.

I know this just touches the surface, but that’s the great thing about President Obama’s plan, there’s something for everyone—you just have to get started now.

What Can Black Folk Really Expect From An Obama Presidency?

I was just reading a piece by Keith Boykin entitled, "Obama's Black Appointments." First thing I thought was wow, this guy is for real! Then, my mind turned to recent news story about gun sales and a visit to my daughters college. What, you might ask, does this have to do with Barack Obama?

First, the news piece talked about whites who were supposedly buying guns because they feared that they would lose the right to do so under an Obama presidency. Now, while this reason seemed legitimate enough, I personally think there are a whole lot of other fears associated with this behavior: fear of blacks taking over the country, fear of black reprisal for racism, fear of losing jobs, or fear that blacks will just run wild! Don't laugh, these fears are being baited by the likes of Rush Limbaugh and other conservative talk show hosts. The point is, although Obama has done a bang up job showing that a black president would not be a counter-revolutionary, left-wing, militant; there is still a lot of fear and doubt in the white community. And until that fear subsides and whites begin to use reason to evaluate his policies, not much will change.

I visited my daughter's college a few days ago and I must say, things have sure changed since I went to school--notably the dress. When I was in school, we [blacks] were trying very hard to emulate what we understood of the world of white business, both in the way we talked and dressed. I tell you, although the school is mixed, you couldn't tell the black students there from the average teen in the hood. So while I saw a lot of positives with black and white students co-existing together, I was a bit disappointed with the students dress, speech, and general disposition. I remember reading a book somewhere that talked about, "a development in college life." And to me, that what college is, a place to grow and develop and find and do new things with people from all walks of life. Young people, wake up, wise up, and work hard to work up. You've been asking for your chance and now you just might get it.

Barack On Key Issues

• Barack Obama plans on saving the government $150 billion by eliminating tax cuts for people who don't need them.
• Barack Obama supports affirmative action in colleges and government and would re-introduce the Equal Rights Amendment.
• Barack Obama would ban racial profiling and eliminate disparities in sentencing. He would create a civil rights division to enforce laws fairly and justly. He has legislated to protect detainees during interrogation, and pushed an Illinois bill to videotape all capital interrogations.
• Barack Obama would teach both abstinence and contraception to teens, ensure that all children learn about sexual abuse and expand flex-work and the Family and Medical Leave Act.
• Supports universal health care for all Americans.

One theme that rings central to Obama's philosophies is that of personal responsibility. So, while we can expect Barack Obama to continue to carry himself with dignity and poise, continue to make record appointments to his cabinet, and steadfastly develop an economic plan that will bring far more minorities to the table than ever before, he cannot do THE most important thing to bring about change in your life--you're actually taking responsibility, taking control, and taking off.

Will Obama's Presidential Election Doom Affirmative Action?

Today, ABC News talked about how Barack Obama's election as President of the United States would change the dynamic of the US workforce. The supposition was that the US workforce would become more culturally diverse as a result of his election and his leadership thus far in assembling a very culturally diverse team. ABC also noted another positive: African Americans and other minorities finally see that they can achieve more and are motivated to do the right thing: go to school, work, start businesses, etc. (more on this later) But I wonder, could an Obama election have just the opposite effect?

For many years when people debated the merits of affirmative action, those opposing affirmative action usually split into two camps. The first are those that opposed because they feel any quota is wrong. The second set are those who oppose because they feel blacks and other minorities have been in this country long enough to have overcome the handicaps of segregation. While I don't agree with either, Obama's election, as well as the very high profile careers of many other people of color, adds strength to their central theme--people should pull themselves up by their own bootstraps.

Obama, like many Americans, started with humble beginnings (not to mention a checkered family history) and finally realized that he had to buckle down and use his wit, charm, and poise to succeed. Both he and Michelle worked hard and graduated from Harvard School of Law. Now I wonder if many Americans might expect the same of all of us? That is, to buckle down, work hard and receive the rewards thereof. Or not to do so and live in mediocrity--without excuses.