What do you mean, I'm responsible for my career?

So my last article, I finished it by stating that regardless of what you read in the news, you are responsible for your own employment. I then suggested that you might need to consider launching your own venture.

Apparently this paragraph set off one of my readers on Examiner.com. The commenter took issue with suggesting that an individual with no skills could start their own business without money. They then took to making my points a political statement and a result of a "misguided protestant work ethic."it

My response to this is "Really?". This type of defeatist attitude is certain to keep this individual unemployed as long as there is a surplus of workers in the job market. Lacking a sufficient work ethic will ensure that you get let go and will keep you from getting another job. A company or an individual will only pay you for the results you bring them.

The commenter also complained about unskilled workers starting there own businesses without money and support. My first response is "stop crying!" Listen, there are many businesses that require little or no money. There are many success stories of individuals who started a landscaping business with a single lawnmower. I had a lady in my most recent class at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC) who got laid off from her job at Mecklenburg County. What is her response? She is starting her own janitorial/cleaning business. The investment is minimal. An article in the Independent Tribune today talked about a small startup company that is bartering services. RCCC also offers classes for individuals to learn about starting their own business. It's a lot easier to sit and complain than it is to make an effort to change your circumstances. My advice to my grumpy commenter is to re-read yesterday's article and make a plan. The point of the article was to encourage folks to not be defined by the news and to look at other ways of finding employment.

I am grateful for the comments, but the lack of results does not negate the effort of hard work. It also does not invalidate the "Protestant work ethic". If you work hard and deliver value, you will be rewarded.