TreeBay

This is an unusual appeal, but these are trying times! While this post might at first appear off-topic, there are financial issues at stake that might very well impact the future of this forum.

After exhausting quite a few local possibilities, I thought I would try appealing to the largest "network" I know - the bonsaiTALKers - and see if perhaps there is a lead on an employment possibility out there. (Hopefully not too far out there, as I am based near South San Jose, California in the "Silicon Valley.")

I am an engineer (B.S.E.E.C.S) with more than 8 years experience in the biomedical device field. I have a very diverse skill set, as I have found I can accomplish most anything I set my mind to doing.

Prior to my layoff, I worked in the Quality Assurance field as a Senior Test Engineer and Sr. Sustaining Engineer. I worked on a variety of devices from pulse oximeters and capnometers to ventilators and blood pressure monitors. I was involved in validation efforts to test these devices and prove that they meet their design specifications over their operational range. I was also involved in tracking factory and field defects and addressing them with closed-loop corrective action, which might involve changes to the design, production methods, component specifications or labeling.

From 1998- through mid 2000 I worked as Y2K Manager, and my chief responsibility was ensuring that every device manufactured by Mallinckrodt Incorporated was Y2K compliant. I wrote test plans, created a database of results, planned contingencies and delivered summary reports to Mallinckrodt's senior management every month. I conducted audits and participated in customer and regulatory audits of our Y2K readiness. I published results regularly on a database-driven web page that was identified by FDA regulators as an industry best practice.

Since my layoff, in 2001 I started my own company, doing web design, photography and videography. Unfortunately, this happened just as the local economy began to falter in the face of the Internet bust. In February 2003 my daughter Melissa was born, and in July 2003, my wife lost her own job.

In addition to my engineering expertise, I have experience in web publishing, database design & management, manufacturing engineering, test engineering, sustaining engineering, ISO 9001, auditing, and conversational Japanese.

I have excellent communication skills and I'm a very competent individual. Unfortunately, most companies are looking for folks with a very specific skill set, not a broad range of capabilities, which makes me something of a square peg in a job market consisting of a very few round holes.

I read in The Mercury News on Friday, January 9, that the Federal poverty line for a family of four is $18,400. The paper goes on to say that a family of four in Santa Clara County needs a salary of $70,000 to break even, and that there are 126,000 individuals living below the poverty line in the county, 50,000 of them are children!

Despite searching in earnest in the past year and a half, I have had one phoneback on a part time position, and only two interviews. When I submit a resume online, it's exceptional to even receive a confirmation that it has been received.

My "ideal job" would be working for a company like Google or EBay that is involved in Internet search or commerce. I would also be quite happy doing technical writing, engineering or auditing, but I would consider any prospect.

If you or someone you know is in the position of hiring a hardworking, competent professional in the Bay Area, I would appreciate it if you would contact me off-list, and I will be happy to provide you with my resume, or discuss the situation with you further.

Maybe you have an idea - or you're in the same position yourself? Let's talk!

Best,

Matt Chroust

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