Do you have a plan?

In my view

by  Stuart Hoffman

Issue of March 12, 2010/ 26 Adar 5770

Do you have a plan that will lead to an eventual parnasah? Are you aware that a new reality exists in the job market of 2010 and beyond? Unfortunately, this new reality is not favorable to unskilled, semi-skilled, or even experienced and skilled young men and women seeking employment after years of learning in Israeli or American yeshivas, kollelim or seminaries. The hishtadlus (preparation) of the past is no longer adequate and the shortcut to a well paying job remains as elusive as ever. Competition in the job market is fierce, filled with skilled and eager young talent with legitimate degrees and job skills from major universities. It is unlikely for a hiring official, even a frum one, to choose a young person with only a yeshiva or seminary “degree” over an equally bright young person with real job skills and a quality education from a real university.

Here is a concrete example of the type of competition that you might be facing. Today, when a mid-salary range $40,000-$50,000 analyst position in a federal government agency is announced to the public through the government’s usajobs.gov webpage, an average of 200-300 qualified applicants can be expected to apply. Even if the yeshiva or seminary applicant is included on the minimally qualified list, what is the likelihood of being included on the best-qualified list? It is not likely. Even the bright math person who manages to pass a few actuarial exams, but lacks any college level math courses, will find him or herself at a disadvantage, in government and many private sector firms, over applicants who completed college level math courses and passed a few actuarial tests.

The era of the “Yeshivish short-cut” is over

So what are yeshiva and seminary students to do? The following is a list of practical ideas that parents and children can discuss concerning a future career:

1. Together, parents and children should read Rabbi Yakov Horowitz’s article entitled “Having a Plan” at rabbihorowitz.com. He says it better than anything I can say. Everyone, even kollel students, needs a plan. Rabbi Horowitz wrote this article a number of years ago during good economic times; now, his message is even more important.

2. Put yeshiva and seminary credits to work. Earning a degree in Talmud or Jewish education is just not helpful in today’s secular job market. A seminary-related degree from an unknown college with a major in Humanities or General Studies is of little value in today’s high-tech job market, with thousands of better educated and more qualified candidates available. Instead, put those credits towards a real degree from a real university and then fill in the balance of credits to obtain an undergraduate degree. That shortcut can work because it leads to a legitimate marketable degree.

Let me give you a concrete example. Many yeshiva students take the required college credits from a community college and, together with a Yeshiva degree, they can then qualify to take the Certified Public Accounting (CPA) tests. Yes, this will work for the CPA or a job in public accounting, but it excludes two other fields within the accounting job market: private corporate accounting and government accounting. Both of those fields require a degree in accounting or a degree in business with a major in accounting.

So what can be done? Simply transfer the yeshiva and community college credits to a four-year university with an accounting major and then fill in the remaining 5-7 courses to complete an undergraduate degree in business or accounting. Now, with an accounting degree or a degree in business with a major in accounting, one can apply for public, private, and government accounting positions!

3. Some boys are just not cut out for a full-day learning program. But what about a half-day of learning coupled with a vocation or college program? This would permit boys to blend a part-time college program with a part-time learning program to the benefit of both.

Even boys who can handle a full day learning program may eventually find themselves in a technical degree program like pre-medicine, engineering, pre-dental, or nursing that may not lend itself to just evening classes. So a half-day learning, half-day school program can address these students’ needs as well.

4. During the senior year in many of girl’s high schools, the school arranges for local community college courses to be taken during the secular studies afternoon periods. Girls need to take advantage of these college courses that are brought onto the school campus. This is an easy and painless way to earn 12-15 college credits in basic subjects like English, accounting, sociology, psychology, American government, college mathematics, etc. without ever leaving the friendly confines of the school. In fact, if the girls can take courses the summer before their senior year and the summer after their senior year, they can amass almost 30 credits, or one full year of college, before even beginning their post-high school education. It should be easy to attend these general summer courses with a few friends, mitigating the sudden exposure to the not-so-friendly confines of a college campus.

5. Use the yeshiva/seminary degree as a stepping-stone to a real graduate degree from a real university, one where you must compete to gain entry. This is another shortcut that can still work because it leads to a legitimate, marketable degree. Yes, you will need to be serious about studying for the Graduate Record Examination, the LSATs, MCATS, etc. However, the alternative may be significant disappointment and discouragement when the make-believe Masters or graduate degrees from an unknown “college” in South Dakota or on-line Masters degree programs fail to result in any progress towards a legitimate job offer. Any for-profit “college programs” must be viewed carefully, including the fine print.

6. Do not forget the service industry. Even in poor economic times, we still need plumbers, electricians and an assortment of construction workers. A college degree is not for everyone nor should it be. If one has the aptitude for a field in the service industry, a host of options can be explored. Where does one begin? Begin by using your summer breaks to work as a helper in the service industry. There is no better way to see if this type of work is for you than by spending a few summer months with a Master in the field. Coupled with a few low cost, practical courses from a community college, this can be the beginning of a career option.

As an example, retirements and general attrition are causing one major power and light company to recruit entry-level line workers who they will train. They even claim to be Shomer Shabbos-friendly. After factoring in the almost expected overtime from storms and other emergencies, one can earn between $75-80K as a starting salary.

7. Sales and retail positions are available for those who are capable of selling. Frankly, I am not, and I have hard time relating to these positions, but if you have the innate ability to “sell,” and you are flexible, you will find positions. These positions require you to be a self-starter, often travel, have a good ability to meet and greet all types of people, and have excellent follow-up skills. How can you prepare for such positions? Local community college courses in public speaking, economics, marketing, accounting, and business management can help.

8. Work experience. The frum young person starting out with little or no work experience confronts a new reality. This new reality is that the people they are competing against for the scarce openings have a number of years of work experience, often directly related to the specific opening under consideration. How can we overcome that disadvantage? First, take advantage of the precious summer months and use that time to work at or volunteer at positions that can give you some credible experience, meaningful resume material, and even a little extra money. Second, many college programs today require their students to complete a number of short-term internships. These are opportunities to gain valuable work experience, make contacts for the future, and experience the work environment firsthand, without a long-term commitment from the employer.

9. University Certificate Programs. In the last few years, a number of colleges and universities have established certificate programs in business management, health compliance, finance, and marketing. Keep in mind that the intended audiences for these programs are currently employed people who work for corporations that will pay the often-exorbitant tuitions that can range from $10,000 - $13,000 for the certificate. These programs are loosely associated with a college or university but are clearly for-profit operations designed to add money to the college or university budget.

But are these college certificate programs of any value for the not-as-yet employed kollel or seminary student, or even a person with limited or no technical skills? Is completing a certificate in a subject area the same as a degree in that subject area? Of course it is not the same. Is spending $10,000 - $13,000 in advance for a certificate program going to result in an entry-level job in that field? Even if it does, is spending that kind of money for a $40-$50,000 a year job a good return on one’s investment? This may or may not be a worthwhile investment.

We need to be realistic about so called “college certificate” programs. They are, after all, presented to our community from a for-profit organization motivated by one idea and one idea only: making a profit. They may cloak themselves in college or university inferences, but are they truly certified degrees that can qualify the holder for a state or professional certification? A certification in accounting or auditing is not an accounting degree or a CPA. A certificate in management is not an MBA. A certificate program run by a for-profit organization, even under some association with a recognized college or university, is not a substitute for a professional degree.

10. Basic computer literacy is mandatory for almost every field, even in the service industry. Everyone needs to know how to use the Microsoft Office Suite of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook e-mail. Employers expect these basic computer competencies and do not want to hear about training employees in their use. Simple beginner courses for these software programs are available at city or county adult education centers, public libraries, course specific on-line tutors, or simple “Dummy” books that walk one through the basics. Become computer literate.

Fitting in

Then there is the “fitting in” with the group issue. Many employers look to see if an applicant will fit into the work culture, be part of the team, and blend into the company vision. For a Ben or Bas Torah, that can often present a challenge. We eat our own food, frequent kosher restaurants at lunchtime, and dress only in styles appropriate for a Ben or Bas Torah. What should we do?

It is not my intent to paskin (make a halachic ruling) for anyone and if this issue does arise, one should consult his or her rov or posek for guidance, but consider some of the issues: Should we be so insulated from the work society and culture that we are perceived as odd and not fitting into the team? Can we can still be part of the work team without sacrificing our values, by using a little common sense and knowing where to draw the lines? Can we attend the weekly work planning morning coffee get together and bring our own food? Can we attend a luncheon and either order kosher food, if that is an option, bring our own food, or just order a drink such as soda or water? Yes, we are different. We should dress differently, talk differently and act differently. But that should not prevent us from being a positive contributor to the work team as well as being a source of team support that employers can count on to be reliable members of the company. We must be strong and confident that we can interact with society yet still remain Bnei Torah.

Correcting some misperceptions

Many Yeshiva and seminary students today grow up in very insulated and isolated environments. They have very few, if any, interactions with middle and upper class non-Jews and non-frum Jews. Their perspective of non-frum Jews and non- Jews may be limited to service oriented people who do not have a high level of education. Our students must remember that the general world consists of the same diversity of levels of intelligence and education as is found in our circles. In the professional work environment, these middle and upper class people will present as totally professional and proper. They share many of our family-oriented and Western society perspectives. They are engaged in their community activities, donate time and money to charity projects, and value a good education for their children. While on the job, we need to learn how to be career focused, speak in a professional way, and produce results for the company or agency, just as they do.

We do need to make a clear distinction and maintain a careful balancing act between job-related socialization and off-hours socialization. Yes, we need to be part of the work team during regular work hours and days. We cannot be so isolated that we are viewed as odd or as a non-team player in the work group. At the same time, we need to make sure we do not cross over the line and join non-work, off-hours social activities. While it may be OK to attend the company picnic or lunch, if we bring our own food or only have a soft drink, joining an after work “happy hour” is most certainly inappropriate.

Personal Appearances

The professional world is not the same as the academic world. That which is acceptable in the academic world, including the Yeshiva world in its own unique ways, is often unacceptable in the professional world. This is especially true when making a first impression at a job interview. It is a shame to ruin a job interview by overlooking simple personal appearance issues. Men should wear a clean shirt, a tie without stains, polished or new looking shoes, and a neat yarmulke. Please leave your hat in the car. You are not going to a beis medrash or to a shul, and a hat will not help in a job interview situation or in showing the selecting official that, if hired, you will fit into the work team. Ladies should present a “put together” and neat appearance, including a combed and correctly placed sheitel.

A Few Common Sense Items

1. Be on time, or better yet, arrive early. Most prospective employers will not take a positive view of a job candidate who is late for the interview. It reflects a perception in the employer’s mind that you are unreliable, irresponsible, or both.

2. If you are unfamiliar with the area of town where the job interview will take place, do a dry run to avoid getting lost. Also, check out the parking situation in advance.

3. Job interviews are not a place for social gatherings. Leave your friends and family members at home.

4. Never bring small children (or even large children) to an interview. Get a reliable baby sitter.

5. The initial job interview is NOT the time or place to bring up unique issues such as Yom Tov absences from the workplace or early Friday departure times in the winter months. All you will be doing is placing an obstacle before the employer.

Other candidates will not have such “needs.” There is a correct time and place for that discussion, but not at the initial interview. From the employer’s point of view, being a frum candidate is not an asset. Rather, it is a burden than many managers would prefer to avoid because they can. There are numerous equally qualified applicants ready and willing to take the job without “special needs.”

In Summary

We need to think and act wisely. Many of our young men who spend their first married years learning in a kollel should not be surprised by sudden parnasah issues and job skills short comings when they later seek employment. Our capable and intelligent young men and women need realistic plans for attaining professional and administrative positions based upon real credentials and job skills, not haphazard pieces of paper from some obscure college in South Dakota.

This message is not at all against kollel or seminary. Rather, it is a message against the eventual departure from kollel or seminary and entrance into the job market unprepared and unaware of the new realities. The world economy and the job market in the coming years are going to be difficult. The key is to have as many job choices and options as possible available for our young men and women. The economic slowdown and its impact in the United States and in Israel are unlikely to end quickly. Do you have a plan to address these changes?

Change is not coming. Change is already here. Are you ready? Do you have a plan?

Stuart Hoffman is a senior human resources specialist with the federal government and a board member of JobLink, a job assistance program sponsored by Agudah of Baltimore. He is a graduate of the Ner Israel Rabbinical College and the Johns Hopkins University.