Learn to adapt job skills to a new field

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(Freep.com) Back when I was working, I had a membership at a health club that

(Freep.com) Back when I was working, I had a membership at a health club that

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shares a parking lot with a state job-training office in Traverse City.

shares a parking lot with a state job-training office in Traverse City.

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The irony often struck me: People driving newer vehicles trotted into

The irony often struck me: People driving newer vehicles trotted into

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the gym seemingly energized, as others, out of work and with often

the gym seemingly energized, as others, out of work and with often

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not-so-new cars, streamed into the Michigan Works! office.

not-so-new cars, streamed into the Michigan Works! office.

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Unemployed for several months, I have since found myself in the latter group.

Unemployed for several months, I have since found myself in the latter group.

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I

I

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didn't qualify for unemployment benefits because I left a longtime

didn't qualify for unemployment benefits because I left a longtime

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newspaper features and food editor job willingly in early 2008, having

newspaper features and food editor job willingly in early 2008, having

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made a smart business decision to open a little deli in what turned out

made a smart business decision to open a little deli in what turned out

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to be the start of a great recession. As time went on, the combination

to be the start of a great recession. As time went on, the combination

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of running out of capital and the realities of day-to-day restaurant

of running out of capital and the realities of day-to-day restaurant

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ownership prompted me to sell.

ownership prompted me to sell.

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And so marked the beginning of my job search.

And so marked the beginning of my job search.

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A

A

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former coworker told me about training opportunities at Michigan

former coworker told me about training opportunities at Michigan

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Works!, and I went. So when someone else told me later how great it was

Works!, and I went. So when someone else told me later how great it was

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that I had "humbled" myself that way, I was surprised and asked one of

that I had "humbled" myself that way, I was surprised and asked one of

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the counselors about it. She said that, in the past, visiting the

the counselors about it. She said that, in the past, visiting the

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office most likely meant you had minimal skills and education. Now,

office most likely meant you had minimal skills and education. Now,

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it's everybody.

it's everybody.

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Read the entire article.

Read the entire article.