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Many of the college grads I know, including myself, are not making a living wage.  This includes people with Master's degrees.  We need more jobs for college grads.  Oregon does not create jobs for highly skilled people that aren't technical (i.e., health care, finance, IT).  College does not mean instant success.  Personality and focus does.  But the people with Master's degrees I know are focused and very capable, but some have more theroetical experience.  This makes many of us overqualified and underqualified at the same time. 

I have also heard that having a liberal arts degree or certain master's degrees may take a couple years to pay off. I earned my udergrad in 1993 and master's in public administration in '07 and have never made more than $18,000 annually.

posted 2 years, 12 months ago
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There was, and might still be, a tax abatement on historical buildings.  This tax abatement has not been adjusted since it was first implemented in the early 70's.  $2 million house can generate some nice revenue. 

posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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I have had many information interviews and networked everywhere.  I know people who have good jobs and are trying to help me find work.  But nothing has come of this.  I have looked for a full time job in Oregon for 7 years, and recently started looking outside of Oregon.  I have education, possibly too much education, a decent track record, but I can't get a permanent position.  My husband works as a cashier, and that's ok, but we cannot move into a better situation.  We are on food stamps, I'm on FHIAP, and elegible for WIC.  And now it is even harder to find what little work there is.  I have written to my representatives and senators, but was told to look into Americorps, but that is unrealistic . We need another, better stimulus package to help those whos skills are not in construction, nursing, or teaching.

posted 3 years, 3 months ago
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Funding for all of these projects would be good, as schools and transportation need serious improvement.

I hope it creates an employees' market.  For the last 7 years, I have not been able to secure a full time permanent job, (but have had part time work).  I earned a Master's degree in Public Administration 2 years ago, and still no luck.  I know my resume is strong, and I interview well.  But feedback from temp agencies and employers I interviewed with tell me I'm either underqualified or overqualified.  I hope the stimulus package creates jobs for those of us who are professional, have some semblance of a track record, and just need our careers jump started.   There are a lot of talented people out there who need a break, and will make valuble contributions to these projects and ultimately the community.

posted 3 years, 3 months ago
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