If there's any question how tough the job market is here in northeast Ohio, consider the case of Zeke Rodriguez. He has an MBA and a law degree and was president of the student bar association at Case Western Reserve University. He's brokered multi-million dollar commerical real estate deals -- but Rodriguez has spent the past seven months out of work.
Zeke: "I spent 22 years in school. I don't think education...lack of education is the problem I'm having right now (laughs).
I met Zeke Rodriguez as part of our Help Wanted collaboration with the Plain Dealer.
Though a good student in law school, Rodriguez decided he didn't really want to practice law and has never applied for jobs in that field. But with an MBA in hand he did land a position as an I-T consultant after grad school. It was only a contract position though, not staff, and his contract ended in 2006. That's when he moved to Florida and got into commercial real estate sales, selling multi-million dollar shopping centers...until the bottom fell out of that market.
Zeke: "I had deals under contract that just dissolved. 2008 was shaping up to be a big goose egg. I want to do something more meaningful. Selling shopping centers was a soulless endeavor. I did it because it offered some income."
When that job ended seven months ago, Rodriguez and his new wife Shez, moved back to Ohio -- Lorain, in part to help care for his ailing father and because they needed a place to stay and money was running short. He started his search looking for a job in economic development with a local city government or as a fund raiser for a non profit but has had no luck.
Zeke: "I interview well, but I'm not getting interviews."
Rodriguez' parents don't have internet access, but luckily the library is right next door.
Zeke to librarian: "Thank you, Hi."
On this day, the library is fairly quiet, but Rodriguez says the computers are often completely occupied by people looking for jobs. He comes here six days a week and checks his email.
Zeke: "this is what I do every day (laughs). Check it out. See if there's anything meaningful in here..." (fades out)
But Rodriguez finds that most of the emails he gets are scams that encourage people to share private information. Many emails are job postings that don't match with his qualifications. This has been his routine for six months. Then, recently, with no unemployment benefits to draw on, he lowered his aim. He landed an interview for a court bailiff's job. But the judge passed.
Zeke: He felt that…he wanted somebody who would be there for a few years. And when the economy picked back up he felt I'd pick up and do something else. And he's right. After that I did create a resume without my law degree and MBA. So I'm lying on my resume. But I'm not embellishing (he laughs).
At this point Rodriguez has even applied for positions as a cable TV installer, gas station attendant...ANYTHING TO PUT SOME MONEY IN THE BANK. Rodriguez' wife, Shez, is also out of work. In Florida, she had a budding career as an independence film producer and got a few short films shown at film festivals in Europe. Here...she's looking for other ways to contribute to earn a living...no luck yet. They've only been married six months, but both say the rocky financial start has only drawn them closer together.
Zeke: I really appreciate that Shay's been willing...the changes for her have been more drastic. I'd like to think we'd look back on this and laugh, but I think I'm going to look back and sigh. (laughs). Ok, we got through it, that's cool.
Two more people without jobs but hanging on in northeast Ohio...Zeke and Shez Rodriguez.