Genesis of Manmay LaKay Magazine
November 2013 2:30am experience as a full time live-in nanny with this one family.
" I F L A C K O F E X P E R I E N C E I S K E E P I N G Y O U F R O M L A N D I N G A J O B, W H Y D O N T Y O U C U L T I V A T E Y O U R O W N M O N I C A? "
B Y M O N I C A V I C T O R
One August morning in 2012 I strut across the stage at Florida Atlantic University to collect my diploma. It was after 4 years of being there and 18 years since leaving the walls of Micoud Secondary School. I had recently completed my undergrad with dual degrees in Psychology and Journalism with a minor in Sociology.
My expectations of landing a job were high— after all, I had two degrees and a not too shabby GPA— 3.4. But, much to my dismay the job offers were just not pouring in. In fact they were not forthcoming at all.
For many months after graduating I was still jobless and my daily routine involved tailoring my resume to fit the jobs for which I was applying, placing them on job boards and responding to job ads.
By November of that same year, my bank account had completely depleted and I no longer had access to student loans to live off of. All I now had were two diplomas and hefty student loan debt. Oh and 8 years
I also had one years experience working with my school newspaper— University Press( UP).
That should count for something right?
The jobs that I was seeking seemed beyond my reach and I needed money to survive. So, I decided that I would go back to familiar territory— babysitting. After all that ' s where I have experience.
My cousin had recently gotten a job through an agency and so I decided to register with said agency placing just my 8 year experience as a nanny and my degree in psychology on my resume. That should do it I imagined. All I needed to do now was to take the CPR certification class the agency required. So, one Saturday morning my sister and I hopped into my car, headed to Coral Springs to fulfill that requirement. But first, we needed gas to get there. That would mean dipping into my steadily decreasing bank account but hey you gotta spend some to make some. We stopped at the neighborhood gas station, filled up for $ 37 or $ 39.00 thereabout and went on our merry way.
We then drove about 22 miles to take the class only to find out upon arrival that the class had been cancelled. What?! With my jaw dropped and my head hung low I disappointingly walked back to my car and headed home. To say I was disappointed is an understatement.