Bloomfield grad takes different approach to find a job

Chris Michael doesn't want to move away to find a job he enjoys going to every day.

He lives in rural Bloomfield, and wants to stay in his community.

But so far he's not been able to find a job to put his associate's degree in business administration from Ivy Tech to work.

"I'm pretty darn frustrated," Michael said. "I would love to stay in this community.

"That's my goal. I don't want to move away (to find a job). There are not too many opportunities in the county. Right now I'm waiting it out."

Michael is a 2007 graduate of Bloomfield High School, and he received his degree from Ivy Tech in December 2010.

He's worked at Bloomfield Dairy Queen since he was 15, and the now 23-year-old continues that work to "help make ends meet," he said.

But he wants more. He wants to use his degree to build a better life.

Michael said he reads the classifieds in the Greene County Daily World every day, and has applied for several jobs since leaving Ivy Tech.

But he's still looking for a job "I can look forward to going to every day."

A co-worker at Dairy Queen suggested putting an advertisement in the Greene County Daily World and The Shopper to promote himself.

"That's how I got the slogan 'Don't Let My Degree Go To Waste'," Michael said.

The ad will appear all this week in the newspaper, and in next week's Shopper.

The ad describes Michael's qualifications, and how to contact him.

Why did he take his co-worker's suggestion of putting an ad in the paper?

"I hadn't thought about that, but desperate times call for desperate measures," Michael said. "Everything I can do to find a job I can wake up to every day and enjoy, that's what I'm going to do."

He's had a few opportunities since leaving Ivy Tech. He's interviewed for jobs in Greene County, Bloomington, and Spencer.

Michael accepted a job with the county to work in Greene Superior Court, but he said, "I enjoyed Superior Court, but it wasn't the right timing for me. I enjoyed learning about the court system, but that wasn't my major. The people were great, and I don't want to burn any bridges. But it wasn't the right situation."

The economy hasn't been kind to anyone with a degree the past few years, young or old.

"I feel like it's very tough out there," Michael said. "Ten years ago someone with an associate's degree could put a resume in the paper and have a really good chance of getting that (job).

"I read the classifieds every day, and submit a resume every time I think I'd be interested."

Michael said he doesn't have a timeline as to when he'll stop trying to get a local job and be forced to move away.

"It's crossed my mind, but my family is all from here. I'd love to build my own family here one day," Michael explained.

"As of right now I'm going to stick it out."

If you would like to speak with Michael give him a call at (812) 699-0470.

Chris is the general manager/editor of the Greene County Daily World. He can be reached by email at cpruett79@gmail.com or by telephone at 847-4487.