B21) This is still America and the Land of Opportunity

America is still the land of opportunity. For those willing to work hard it is possible to create a meaningful life -----------even after released from prison.

The equation for success in life is the same for everyone, ex-cons included. The equation begins with obtaining marketable job skills. There are a number of ways to obtain marketable job skills.
; College, Trade school, the military, work place apprenticeship or taking a job as a laborer in order to put yourself through employment aimed education/training.

Last week on the national news there was a story about a Columbia University janitor that graduated with honors. The man’s name was Gac Filipaj. According t the story Mr. Filipaj fled war-torn Yugoslavia in 1992, he became a refugee in New York and did not know who to speak english. He took a janitor's job at Columbia University because it included free tuition. But he first had to learn English. After a dozen years, he received a bachelor's degree.

Sweeping and mopping floors becomes more meaningful work when it helps lead to a better life.

Here are some statistics:

Median personal income by educational attainment[9]
Measure	Some High School	High school graduate	Some college	Associate's degree	Bachelor's degree or higher	Bachelor's degree	Master's degree	Professional degree	Doctorate degree
Persons, age 25+, employed full-time	$25,039	$31,539	$37,135	$40,588	$56,078	$50,944	$61,273	$100,000	$79,401

It may be true that convicted felons are barred from some jobs. As ex-cons we cannot become Governor or Mayor or President. So what. The list of jobs that are available to us far outweigh the jobs we cannot have.

1.       Plumber

2.       Electrician

3.       Carpenter

4.       Mechanic

5.       Engineer

      6.       Butcher

7.       Baker

8.       Candlestick maker…..

The list goes on and on and on…

Focusing on what is NOT possible is part of the problem


Focusing on what is possible is part of the solution