Please Help Matt Find a Job!

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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Jonny D

Hi Matt, although I can't completley understand your position (you have far more responsabilities than me - i.e.: a family to support) I can sympathise with you predicament, i finished postgraduate education in september 2003 (gaining and MSc after my BSc) and after a month off have been looking for work in my skill area ever since (I even have 2-3 years related experience), with little luck mainly because I want to stay in a specific area which makes things much harder - in this country there is a serious north south job divide!

This has left me just working part time and very fustrated - we all have dreams but require large amounts of money for the majority of them.

Any way just thought I'd let you no your not alone and wish you (and me) good luck to find the right job in the not so distant future!

Cheers Jonny.

Jerry Meislik

Matt,
Sorry to hear of your difficulties. I will keep my eyes and ears open.

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Jerry Meislik
Whitefish Montana USA
Zone 4-5
http://www.bonsaihunk.us/

Bart Thomas(deceased)

Sorry to hear about your troubles.

I'd hire you in a flash, but I'm retired.

Keep at it, and something good will happen. BTW, putting up that note demonstrates your creativity.

Best wishes,

Bart

Thomas_J.

Matt,
You may have to concede to the fact that you may have to uproot and go where the jobs are. I know you probably don't want to hear that because it's devastating to have to leave other family members and friends behind. That was the same decision I made almost 24yrs. ago. Keep an open mind my friend, and do what you feel you have to, to take care of your family.

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Thomas J.

Lesley

Matt,

Just a thought! With your biomedical background have you considered a job with a hospital or as a equipment rep or sales person in a medical company. I work at a local hospital (GSH) in South San Jose and business seems to be picking up. This kind of job maybe a stop gap until you can find something else? I know a few names but I don't have a lot of influence but I'd be willing to share. My husband does test engineering maybe he'd have a few leads?

Lesley

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Ladybug

pdbbonsai

Matt, sorry to hear about your situation. I for one would be willing to help support the forum by making donations to keep it afloat. I am willing to bet that others would too. Let me know if this is a step that would help.

Paul

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It is essential to experience all the times and moods of one good place. (Thomas Merton)

BonsaiTalk is one good place. (me)

Lesley

BTO has a yearly subscription of $20, would something like that help BonsaiTalk? I'd be willing - especially if it keeps us on the net. Supporting Treebay is a good idea too!

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Ladybug

bonsaial1

Mr. Matt, me being very bold and not afraid to ask anything..Just what is the monthly cost to keep the forum running? I am sure that the devoted folks at bonsaiTALK would probably do whatever it takes to make this happen. With some help in the numbers dept. we could better know where we stand as a group and figure out a price that would be fair to those that get the most use out of the forum. While 20% do all the posting, I see that that is where the best chance of funding will come from.

Let me know if this is something that would help or hinder.

I feel bad, since I just procured a new job. I live in Fresno and will be working in your neck of the woods...ironic to say the least. A custom home on the golf course in Pebble Beach, 9,600 sq. feet. Wish I could afford a home like that.


Best regards, Bonsai-al

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Real men don't wear coats with "happi" in the title.