Women are considered a driving force in the workplace. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said more women were working than men in December 2019. Unfortunately, a total of 156,000 job losses among women were recorded in December 2020.
Now, it’s up to the government to support women during the pandemic.
Take Advantage of the “Return Initiative”
If you’re among those who lost their jobs in the middle of the pandemic, you’re not the only one. It’s been a tough time for women who had to juggle their jobs and the household. In Utah alone, there were 12,000 job losses in 2020. At least 8,000 of these were previously held by women.
You don’t have to worry, though. State officials reassured that women’s employment is recovering. Apart from that, the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity also offers programs to assist residents who have lost their jobs.
The “return initiative” allows residents to go back to the workforce. With this program, you don’t have to start from the bottom.
You have two options to choose from:
1. Return-to-work Opportunities Within the State Government and Utah Businesses
Even if you’ve taken at least two years from work, this is for you. This program targets residents who stopped working because they had to
- start a family,
- care for a sick family member,
- took time after military service,
- held a political office,
- venture into business,
- continue education,
- manage mental and physical health, or
- pursue a different career path.
This option gives you the training that you’d need when you re-enter the workforce. The position available is good for 16 weeks. Until then, you’d have the training and experience you’d need to apply for a new job.
2. Take Short-term Training Opportunities at State Universities and Colleges
There are short courses available if you feel like exploring different fields. Sample short programs are project management, 3D Printing, and electrical technician. You can choose to take it online or in person, and institutions also offer these programs in hybrid formats.
You might also want to try the Learn and Work program offered by the state government. This program helps you with your tuition if you wish to enroll in short-term programs.
If you’re interested in these offers, you can call the State Capitol. These programs will not only buy you the time while waiting to re-enter the workforce, but they will also equip you with the necessary training you need to get back on track.
What You Can Do Right Now
While these are great offers, it might still take you some time before you get to bounce back at work. It might take you and your family stretching your budget to make end’s meet.
In line with this, here are some tips on how to survive while waiting to get your job back:
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Cut On Your Expenses
Unfortunately, there’s no other way but to work around the family budget. Whatever’s left of your savings will be crucial in the coming days as you wait for another job. Focus on the necessities like food, mortgages, and bills. You’ll need to cut your cable subscriptions and say goodbye to some streaming services. You’ll also have to lessen food deliveries now and buy and prep your meals ahead of time. Work out at home instead of paying for gym memberships. Now is not the time for these luxuries.
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Think of More Ways to Earn More
There are many available work-from-home jobs available if you do a little research. These include writing and digital marketing gigs, which you can do on the side while applying for a job. You might also want to do a small online business. If you’re good at baking, why not sell some baked goodies? If you’re good at painting, you can try selling your artwork online. The secret is to promote your small business in the online market. You may also consult a developer of Android apps to help create an app for your business to help you boost your online presence.
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Expand Your Skills
You might want to explore different careers. Decide on what field you’d like to venture into, and then search for free courses online. Don’t worry because you can take these courses at your own pace. Some online learning platforms also offer paid courses that come with a certificate, which will add credibility to your résumé.
Don’t stress yourself. Just because you lost your job during the COVID-19 pandemic doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world. Maximize this time to learn more and expand your skills. Above all, trust yourself. There’s nothing that a woman cannot do.
Believe that things will get better, and you’ll get back on track. You’ll finally land the job you’ve been waiting for so long.
