After graduating college with a degree in industrial engineering, Heidi is treading water with a part-time job as an administrative assistant while searching for a job in her chosen field. As she focuses on networking, she lives in a basement apartment in her parents’ home and works on creating a very tight budget in order to pay off student and auto loans.
Heidi says: ‘They don’t teach you how to manage your budget.’ | • Watch Video
New York State agencies and departments have many resources available to help working families make ends meet. This portal offers a gateway into information on: work support programs that you may be eligible for, food stamps, nutrition programs, home energy assistance, weatherization assistance, child support, tax credits, job placement, social security, unemployment assistance, housing, student loans, education assistance and much, much more.
This brief video showcases how the New York Department of Labor can help veterans connect with employers and find employment.
After serving his country honorably in both the Army and the Navy, Keith finds himself struggling just to support himself, though it doesn’t seem to be for lack of trying. Out of work since June of 2009, Keith is a homeless veteran–one of thousands of veterans who are homeless or jobless in New York State. Keith doesn’t have a college degree, and so is relying primarily on his work and military experience. He has applied for many jobs, but has had little success. Still, he retains a positive outlook as he attends job fairs in the region.
Keith says: ‘I want to help people.’ | • Watch Video
Learn more about your legal rights in employment, unemployment and employment discrimination. To find legal assistance available in your area, visit LawHelp.org/NY and click on ‘Workers Rights.’ En Espanol: ayudalegalny.org y clik ‘Derechos del Trabajador.’
Leslie worked as an attorney for New York State, but after taking a five-day leave of absence, she was told to either resign or face termination. With a law degree from SUNY-Buffalo and additional experience in both the military and the Peace Corps, she never thought she’d find herself in this position. She combines a yoga regimen with constant job searching to stay positive.
Leslie says: ‘When you’re not in the workforce, you’re pretty much marginalized. You feel like you’re on the fringe of society.’ | • Watch Video
After a divorce and bankruptcy, Maureen began listening to her entrepreneurial urge and decided to start a new business, baking pies out of her kitchen. Her business has grown, and Maureen is now selling tens of thousands of pies each month. Along the way, she has created several contract jobs for other workers that wouldn’t exist had she not founded her new business.
Maureen says: ‘[When] you put yourself out there, people are attracted to your message.’ | • Watch Video
Natalie is a consultant and a single mother who formally worked for two major phone companies. She got frustrated with the job market and decided to take the leap into self-employment in March of 2009, after being laid off during the middle of the recession. With an office in her home, her commute is now non-existent, but taking the step into the world of self-employment was originally a nerve-racking prospect.
Natalie says: ‘It was like jumping off a cliff without a safety net.’ | • Watch Video
New York’s public library systems and public libraries offer job information, resources, and referrals for New Yorkers and people looking to work in New York State, as well as help with job training, consumer protection and family finance resources. Click here to find employment/job information links from a map of public libraries in New York State.
Rick has been looking for work since March of 2009, and has had several job interviews, but no offers. Still several years away from the retirement age, Rick is concerned about his finances. Fortunately, his wife has stable employment, so Rick retains health benefits. With managerial experience in the food service industry, Rick feels good about his resume.
Rick says: ‘Somewhere out there, someone’s going to say, ‘Hey, I want you.’ That’s what’s keeping my spirits up.’ | • Watch Video
Laid off from his job in the telecommunications industry in New York City, Robert has spent a year searching for jobs and filling out applications while living at his brother’s house and collecting public assistance. He has yet to find a job, and he has depleted most of his savings over the past year. He worries that it will be difficult to build his retirement savings back up.
Of the economic recovery, Robert says, ‘It’s akin to pouring the champagne and waiting for it to trickle down into my glass.’ | • Watch Video
The Rochester district office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) provides vocational counseling and rehabilitation services that result in successful employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities and their employers.
Rosaura is from Peru, and she works at a restaurant where, she says, many of her coworkers can barely understand her. Rosaura was an industrial engineer in Peru and came to the United States in 2001. Her English is now improving and she has taken a class to update her resume. She’d also like to go to school for more education.
Rosaura says: ‘I want to learn.’ | • Watch Video
CA$H is a Capital Region coalition, which the United Way oversees, that can offer you tax assistance and tools for long-term financial stability. There are CA$H chapters based in Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Schoharie and Saratoga Springs. Find your local chapter to see upcoming workshops and events.
Connect2Work provides unemployed or underemployed individuals with job readiness, skills training and position placement as well as any other resources needed to overcome obstacles to employment.
Welfare-to-Work program participants: Action for a Better Community, Inc. (ABC) offers job readiness training and job placement with follow-up. Click here to learn more.
The New York State Department of Labor offers information for workers on a wide array of topics related to employment law, labor standards, prevailing wage/public work, safety and health.
If you work more than 40 hours a week, you should get extra pay for the extra time you are working. Overtime laws apply to all workers. Click here for more information, or call 1-888-525-2267 to ask about filing a claim.
Whether you want to start a second career, gain workforce training or are looking for a customized answer to your business’ needs, the Workforce Development Institute at Hudson Valley Community College has a solution for you.
CNY Works is a local, not-for-profit organization focusing on Central New York which brings businesses, job seekers and training providers together with the goal of providing skilled workers for every business and employment for every job seeker.
Several educational institutions offer workforce training and development opportunities in Rochester, including Finger Lakes Community College, Monroe Community College, the Rochester Institute of Technology Dislocated Workers Program, SUNY-Rochester’s Educational Opportunity Center and Greece Community Education.
Browse through workforce training opportunities throughout New York State, sorted by region.
