Tampa has been hit with the highest unemployment rate this past month in the last thirty years at 13.1 percent. While over 300,000 jobs in Florida have been lost in this past year, the construction industry by itself had laid off 90,700 workers. With all the talk of job loss and economy in the tubes, some might ask, which jobs remain untouchable?
The sad truth is that there is no clear answer that question. However an employment breakdown of the Highlands, Hardee and DeSoto counties provided by the Highlands Today shows the percentage of employment in each industry. For example, the industries of trade, transportation and utilities are at 17 percent, government employment is at 16.5 percent, agriculture 16.1 percent, education and health services are at 13.8, leisure and hospitality 7.1 percent, professional and business services 6.5 percent, and construction is at 3.9 percent.
Ron Rae, columnist of “The Rae Way”, featured in Hernando Today, recently wrote about how hurricane season should hopefully bring in some construction jobs. As awful an idea at that sounds, it would most likely decrease the unemployment rates, even if it’s only temporary.
Another disheartening fact about the jobs that are hiring is that they most likely will be filled by overqualified employees who will be accepting a pay cut. Branch manager Joe Badalamenti for Manpower, located on 5625 W. Waters Ave told News Channel 8’s Krista Klaus that salaries have fallen between 10 to 20 percent since the unemployment controversy.
While it’s difficult to say which jobs are currently hiring, it’s easier to say which job markets are taking the biggest hit. And even among the jobs opportunities currently available, it’s not promised to continue that way for very long.
Showing posts with label Charlotte Whedon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Charlotte Whedon. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
We Live Where You Spring Break?
“What are you doing for spring break, Charlotte?”
“Oh, I’m just going to stay on campus I think, I might go home.”
“Oh. Alright, have fun with that.”
“….Thanks?”
Two weeks later I woke up and took the elevator down to the first floor of my building. There it was, to my horror, “Stadium Center is closed for Spring Break 2010!”
“Oh crap,” I thought to myself, “Spring Break. “
The University of Tampa campus is normally very lively. However, when breaks in the semester come up, it’s a completely different story.
Not only was the first floor of Stadium Center shut down for the week, but it was also closed on the Friday before spring break. This had outraged many people I encountered that day. While many UT students pride themselves on their three to four day weekend, some of us have class on Fridays. As a matter of fact, some of us even had exams to take that particular Friday. Not only was I stressed out over an American Lit exam, but on top of that I couldn’t even get my Jazzman’s caffeine fix (which is something I look forward to daily).
Monday morning rolled around and I had my heart set on getting to the Vaughn cafeteria early and nabbing a famous omelet. But no, the international station was closed. Keeping my hopes high, I was still looking forward to picking up The New York Times, which I read religiously. But that was taken away from me as well. Apparently time stands still here at UT over spring break.
The McNiff Fitness Center was also closed for the 2010 Spring Break, allowing limited options for exercise to the students who stayed on campus. This had led me to take myself and my weak knees over to the track, which I wouldn’t call a successful workout (I made it three laps before I had to call it quits).
My flight up to gloomy and cold New England weather started to look more appealing by the minute.
This unfortunately isn’t the first time I’ve personally felt kicked to the curb during a break here at UT. Thanksgiving last semester shared a similar tone, with not much activity on campus as well. I felt like every aspect of this school I take advantage of (and pay for) was stolen away from me over night.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels this way, which is exactly why our school needs to plan accordingly and become more considerate of the students who choose to stay on campus during time off class such as spring break. Students shouldn’t have to feel unwelcome at a place they call home.
“Oh, I’m just going to stay on campus I think, I might go home.”
“Oh. Alright, have fun with that.”
“….Thanks?”
Two weeks later I woke up and took the elevator down to the first floor of my building. There it was, to my horror, “Stadium Center is closed for Spring Break 2010!”
“Oh crap,” I thought to myself, “Spring Break. “
The University of Tampa campus is normally very lively. However, when breaks in the semester come up, it’s a completely different story.
Not only was the first floor of Stadium Center shut down for the week, but it was also closed on the Friday before spring break. This had outraged many people I encountered that day. While many UT students pride themselves on their three to four day weekend, some of us have class on Fridays. As a matter of fact, some of us even had exams to take that particular Friday. Not only was I stressed out over an American Lit exam, but on top of that I couldn’t even get my Jazzman’s caffeine fix (which is something I look forward to daily).
Monday morning rolled around and I had my heart set on getting to the Vaughn cafeteria early and nabbing a famous omelet. But no, the international station was closed. Keeping my hopes high, I was still looking forward to picking up The New York Times, which I read religiously. But that was taken away from me as well. Apparently time stands still here at UT over spring break.
The McNiff Fitness Center was also closed for the 2010 Spring Break, allowing limited options for exercise to the students who stayed on campus. This had led me to take myself and my weak knees over to the track, which I wouldn’t call a successful workout (I made it three laps before I had to call it quits).
My flight up to gloomy and cold New England weather started to look more appealing by the minute.
This unfortunately isn’t the first time I’ve personally felt kicked to the curb during a break here at UT. Thanksgiving last semester shared a similar tone, with not much activity on campus as well. I felt like every aspect of this school I take advantage of (and pay for) was stolen away from me over night.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels this way, which is exactly why our school needs to plan accordingly and become more considerate of the students who choose to stay on campus during time off class such as spring break. Students shouldn’t have to feel unwelcome at a place they call home.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Corey Smith: Keeping it Real
Corey Smith is a musician originating from Georgia who appeals to all, which must be why his concerts sell out so quickly. His songs vary from partying, his encounter with corrupt police officers with the song “F--- the Po Po”, and basically just living his life. This relatable artist ended the night with his song, “Drinkin’ Again,” which he wrote about his return to alcohol abuse.
The 32-year-old high school teacher turned country star’s lyrics are catchy and full of spirit. Smith seems to have no boundaries when it comes to his songs, which is probably why he is so popular. The father of two children can easily connect to his audience on stage, which is evident with all of the cheering his fans do. His fan base is targeted towards the college scene, but in reality it targets a much larger demographic.
Smith is an honest man that shares his life stories through his raw lyrics. It is clear that he doesn’t try to be anyone he is not. Corey Smith’s music seems to parallels his personality, real and down to earth.
The 32-year-old high school teacher turned country star’s lyrics are catchy and full of spirit. Smith seems to have no boundaries when it comes to his songs, which is probably why he is so popular. The father of two children can easily connect to his audience on stage, which is evident with all of the cheering his fans do. His fan base is targeted towards the college scene, but in reality it targets a much larger demographic.
Smith is an honest man that shares his life stories through his raw lyrics. It is clear that he doesn’t try to be anyone he is not. Corey Smith’s music seems to parallels his personality, real and down to earth.
The State Cracks Down on Cell Phone Use While Driving
The state of Florida seems to be jumping on the bandwagon of banning the use of cell phones while driving. State House Bill 41 states, “No person shall operate a moving motor vehicle while reading, manually writing or typing, or sending a message on an electronic wireless communications device.” This will go in effect starting October 1, 2010. With fourteen states already banning texting while driving, this issue is not new. Even so, most college students can be found guilty one time or another of violating the law.
Due to the increased variety of distractions while driving, should cell phones really be the lead target? Florida House members joined forces Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010 in Tallahassee to discuss the new bill. Rep. Steve Precourt, R-Orlando, believes that this bill has the right idea, but is going too far, stating, “There’s lots of different things that we could lump into the same category of significant distractions,” he said. “If we’re going to deal with this particular issue, then I suggest that we also look at the laundry list of other issues and make a conscious decision on where to draw the line with a group of things as opposed to just picking out one specific issue.”
Rep. Richard Steinberg, D-Miami Beach disagrees with Precourt, showing the familiarities of texting while driving to drunk driving. Steinburg states, “Basically you’re telling people if you believe you can do it safely, go ahead and do it if you make it secondary,” Steinberg said. “We don’t take that position with drinking. There are probably people would tell you when I drink, I can drive. You shouldn’t tell me that I shouldn’t drink and drive because I feel ok.”
With the law being so broad, it will be difficult to enforce. Rep. Mike Horner, R-Kissimmee, explains, “It's important we pass something this year and maybe tread lightly." Horner continues, "Texting as a secondary offense may be a good first step."
It’s unclear as to where the line needs be drawn on this issue. There are too many other distractions while in a car to just pick out one, such as drinking coffee or changing the radio station. Any one of these actions could result in an accident. It’s unfair that cell phones are taking the hit.
Due to the increased variety of distractions while driving, should cell phones really be the lead target? Florida House members joined forces Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010 in Tallahassee to discuss the new bill. Rep. Steve Precourt, R-Orlando, believes that this bill has the right idea, but is going too far, stating, “There’s lots of different things that we could lump into the same category of significant distractions,” he said. “If we’re going to deal with this particular issue, then I suggest that we also look at the laundry list of other issues and make a conscious decision on where to draw the line with a group of things as opposed to just picking out one specific issue.”
Rep. Richard Steinberg, D-Miami Beach disagrees with Precourt, showing the familiarities of texting while driving to drunk driving. Steinburg states, “Basically you’re telling people if you believe you can do it safely, go ahead and do it if you make it secondary,” Steinberg said. “We don’t take that position with drinking. There are probably people would tell you when I drink, I can drive. You shouldn’t tell me that I shouldn’t drink and drive because I feel ok.”
With the law being so broad, it will be difficult to enforce. Rep. Mike Horner, R-Kissimmee, explains, “It's important we pass something this year and maybe tread lightly." Horner continues, "Texting as a secondary offense may be a good first step."
It’s unclear as to where the line needs be drawn on this issue. There are too many other distractions while in a car to just pick out one, such as drinking coffee or changing the radio station. Any one of these actions could result in an accident. It’s unfair that cell phones are taking the hit.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Facebook In, Campus Bulletin Boards Out?
Car for sale, free pool in Spartan Club, and an iPhone screen repair service are all messages one could find on the community bulletin board on the second floor in the Vaughn Center. Due to popular social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter taking over, some would say the use of bulletin boards as marketing tools around campus aren’t as useful as they once were. In this day and age, is the technology we have the most effective way to get the word out?
Sophomore and International and Cultural Studies Major, Elyse Fulton seems to believe so, “I usually don’t pay any attention to the bulletin boards on campus, either they are too cluttered or outdated.” Fulton goes on, “Since I check my Facebook every day I tend to go to the events I am invited to on Facebook.”
Staff Assistant in the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement (OSLE), Cheryl Chernoff, is the person one would look for when trying to obtain the stamp of approval for a flier to put on a UT bulletin board.
Chernoff explained some rules and regulations of the content that can be on a flier posted on campus. “Fliers must come from registered organizations or sponsored by an organization.” She continues, “All posters can be kept up for two weeks and the organization can bring another one to be re-stamped.”
Nothing can be announced about serving alcohol on campus, while most Facebook events UT students get are from nightlife entertainment around the Tampa area. Chernoff explains, “There have been a lot of restaurants that ask to put fliers up about hiring waitresses and bartenders, but we cannot promote alcohol or smoking.”
There are occurrences where posting policies have not been followed and disciplinary actions must take place. Chernoff continues, “If something is posted without an approval stamp or disobeys a posting policy then we first take it down and that organization or person gets a warning.” After the first offense, the organization faces a thirty day penalty and a sixty day penalty after that.
Chernoff discussed a recent break of rules for the posting policies, “someone was putting up fliers for the Campus Movie Fest. They had posted it on the glass of the Vaughn Lobby, which is not allowed. They had to remove that flier and all of the other Campus Movie Fest fliers as well.”
In her six years of approving posters, Chernoff believes the increased use of Facebook has had little effect on the number of campus fliers she sees each week. “There hasn’t been a decrease, if anything there’s been an increase.” Chernoff does not predict a decline anytime soon, because not everyone has a Facebook or Twitter account.
To get more information on posting policies, contact Cheryl Chernoff at (813)253-6233, cchernoff@ut.edu or visit the OSLE office on the second floor of Vaughn Center.
Sophomore and International and Cultural Studies Major, Elyse Fulton seems to believe so, “I usually don’t pay any attention to the bulletin boards on campus, either they are too cluttered or outdated.” Fulton goes on, “Since I check my Facebook every day I tend to go to the events I am invited to on Facebook.”
Staff Assistant in the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement (OSLE), Cheryl Chernoff, is the person one would look for when trying to obtain the stamp of approval for a flier to put on a UT bulletin board.
Chernoff explained some rules and regulations of the content that can be on a flier posted on campus. “Fliers must come from registered organizations or sponsored by an organization.” She continues, “All posters can be kept up for two weeks and the organization can bring another one to be re-stamped.”
Nothing can be announced about serving alcohol on campus, while most Facebook events UT students get are from nightlife entertainment around the Tampa area. Chernoff explains, “There have been a lot of restaurants that ask to put fliers up about hiring waitresses and bartenders, but we cannot promote alcohol or smoking.”
There are occurrences where posting policies have not been followed and disciplinary actions must take place. Chernoff continues, “If something is posted without an approval stamp or disobeys a posting policy then we first take it down and that organization or person gets a warning.” After the first offense, the organization faces a thirty day penalty and a sixty day penalty after that.
Chernoff discussed a recent break of rules for the posting policies, “someone was putting up fliers for the Campus Movie Fest. They had posted it on the glass of the Vaughn Lobby, which is not allowed. They had to remove that flier and all of the other Campus Movie Fest fliers as well.”
In her six years of approving posters, Chernoff believes the increased use of Facebook has had little effect on the number of campus fliers she sees each week. “There hasn’t been a decrease, if anything there’s been an increase.” Chernoff does not predict a decline anytime soon, because not everyone has a Facebook or Twitter account.
To get more information on posting policies, contact Cheryl Chernoff at (813)253-6233, cchernoff@ut.edu or visit the OSLE office on the second floor of Vaughn Center.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
The PEACE Organization
The University of Tampa’s main volunteer organization is known as the PEACE Volunteer Center. PEACE stands for People Exploring Active Community Experiences which is available to not only UT students, but faculty and staff as well. Sophomore and environmental science major, Abbey Ray, says about PEACE, “The activities that PEACE provides for students are convenient and enriching, but above all the events leave each person feeling like they've really made a difference.” One event that has taken place this year is the annual “Into the Streets” day of service that incoming freshmen take part in during August. The other annual event that took place in January was the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service.
Mari Mersch, a UT student and Big Brothers Big Sisters coordinator is also working on an upcoming event, “I am hosting a Locks of Love event next month on March 19 from 12-4 p.m. that I am looking forward to. Stylists from Tribeca Salon will be coming to UT to give free haircuts to students who are donating eight inches or more to the Locks of Love Foundation,” Mersch continues, “I get to show students that volunteer work is not all about picking up trash on the side of the road and it doesn't have to be a horrible experience. Volunteering is whatever you make it.” Mersch is very proud of the work she has accomplished with PEACE
The University of Tampa’s very own AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) sponsor, Karen Lederer, is also regarded highly in the PEACE office. AmeriCorps is a domestic peace corps which is designed to fight poverty and homelessness. Lederer, a college graduate, is living on the brink of poverty for the next year and volunteering her time on the UT campus working on events and providing opportunities for UT students to get involved in giving their time along.“Working for AmeriCorps VISTA gives you an opportunity to do things you don’t think you would have done. It makes you grow,” Says Lederer.
PEACE also provide alternative break and weekend trip programs. Sophomore, Heather Ptak, is involved with coordinating trips in which students apply to volunteer their time to various places outside of the Tampa area. The first of two different alternative spring break trips is to Key West, which entails students kayaking alone the Florida shoreline while cleaning up litter. The second alternative break is to Franklin, Tennessee to the Kindred Spirits Therapeutic Riding Center, which aids terminally ill and battered children through therapeutic horseback riding. Ptak remarks, “I am looking forward to the weekend trip to Gainsville because I played a major part in coordinated it.” The weekend trip Ptak coordinated is February 19 through February 21 which takes place in a jungle primary where students will be able to interact with animals such as monkeys and focus on the environment and sustainability. Another trip coming up includes going to Peru to teach English to orphans after the spring semester in May which Ptak also looks forward to. To contact the PEACE office for more information on upcoming events, visit Vaughn Center, Room 206 or email peace@ut.edu.
Mari Mersch, a UT student and Big Brothers Big Sisters coordinator is also working on an upcoming event, “I am hosting a Locks of Love event next month on March 19 from 12-4 p.m. that I am looking forward to. Stylists from Tribeca Salon will be coming to UT to give free haircuts to students who are donating eight inches or more to the Locks of Love Foundation,” Mersch continues, “I get to show students that volunteer work is not all about picking up trash on the side of the road and it doesn't have to be a horrible experience. Volunteering is whatever you make it.” Mersch is very proud of the work she has accomplished with PEACE
The University of Tampa’s very own AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) sponsor, Karen Lederer, is also regarded highly in the PEACE office. AmeriCorps is a domestic peace corps which is designed to fight poverty and homelessness. Lederer, a college graduate, is living on the brink of poverty for the next year and volunteering her time on the UT campus working on events and providing opportunities for UT students to get involved in giving their time along.“Working for AmeriCorps VISTA gives you an opportunity to do things you don’t think you would have done. It makes you grow,” Says Lederer.
PEACE also provide alternative break and weekend trip programs. Sophomore, Heather Ptak, is involved with coordinating trips in which students apply to volunteer their time to various places outside of the Tampa area. The first of two different alternative spring break trips is to Key West, which entails students kayaking alone the Florida shoreline while cleaning up litter. The second alternative break is to Franklin, Tennessee to the Kindred Spirits Therapeutic Riding Center, which aids terminally ill and battered children through therapeutic horseback riding. Ptak remarks, “I am looking forward to the weekend trip to Gainsville because I played a major part in coordinated it.” The weekend trip Ptak coordinated is February 19 through February 21 which takes place in a jungle primary where students will be able to interact with animals such as monkeys and focus on the environment and sustainability. Another trip coming up includes going to Peru to teach English to orphans after the spring semester in May which Ptak also looks forward to. To contact the PEACE office for more information on upcoming events, visit Vaughn Center, Room 206 or email peace@ut.edu.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Leno vs. Coco
This is not the first time NBC has been accused of destroying their prime time television schedule, and it probably won’t be the last. Executives at NBC have decided to push “The Jay Leno Show” to 11:35 p.m. due to poor ratings at the 10:00 p.m. slot. This decision would have pushed back “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” to 12:05 a.m. However, O’Brien refused and openly claimed that he would not host “The Tonight Show” past midnight. O’Brien stated, “After only seven months, with my ‘Tonight Show’ in its infancy, NBC has decided to react to their terrible difficulties in prime time by making a change in their long-established late night schedule.” O’Brien was promised the position as host of the show five years prior.
Chairman of NBC Universal Television Entertainment, Jeff Gaspin, seems to be siding with Leno on the issue, “We’re pleased that Jay is returning to host the franchise that he helped brilliantly and successfully for many years. He is an enormous talent, a consummate professional and one of the hardest-working performers on television.”
While many are openly siding with O’Brien or Leno in the media and on the internet, students at The University of Tampa don’t feel compelled to side with either comedian. Before knowing the fate of “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien,” sophomore, Margaret Haff, commented, “Yes, Conan leaving NBC would be strange. He’s been with the network for so long and people don’t like change. Change is okay though, Conan won’t lose his following. Thing’s will just be different.” UT sophomore, Eric Kuczynski, did not think much of the controversy, “What happened again? Jay Leno took over Conan’s spot because he’s an ass**** right?” While UT Senior, Darren Anderson, also showed little interest in the conflict, “To tell you the truth I don’t like either of them. I don’t watch either of their shows so it doesn’t matter much to me.” The controversy apparently does not have the UT community talking.
With all of the drama this past week, both Leno and O’Brien have been able to make light of the situation by doing what they do best, making people laugh. This has brought much needed comic relief to late night television after all of the tension that has been rising. Leno had joked, “NBC stands for: Never Believe your Contract.” And while trying to manipulate his contract, which states he cannot say anything mean spirited about NBC, O’Brien told his audience -in Spanish- that, “NBC is run by brainless sons of goats who eat money and crap trouble.”
Due to other contract complications, O’Brien is prohibited to host a show on any program at least until September of this year. While nothing has been set in stone, however, Kevin Reilly, FOX Entertainment president, has spoken of FOX’s interest in O’Brien, “He would be a very compatible fit for our brand. He is one of the few guys on the planet that has demonstrated he can do one of these shows every night.” This may be a possible lead to O’Brien’s next step in his career.
During his final episode, O’Brien respectfully said to his audience, with all jokes aside, “Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard, and you're kind, amazing things will happen. I'm telling you, amazing things will happen." O’Brien’s last episode aired Friday, January 22, 2010.
Chairman of NBC Universal Television Entertainment, Jeff Gaspin, seems to be siding with Leno on the issue, “We’re pleased that Jay is returning to host the franchise that he helped brilliantly and successfully for many years. He is an enormous talent, a consummate professional and one of the hardest-working performers on television.”
While many are openly siding with O’Brien or Leno in the media and on the internet, students at The University of Tampa don’t feel compelled to side with either comedian. Before knowing the fate of “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien,” sophomore, Margaret Haff, commented, “Yes, Conan leaving NBC would be strange. He’s been with the network for so long and people don’t like change. Change is okay though, Conan won’t lose his following. Thing’s will just be different.” UT sophomore, Eric Kuczynski, did not think much of the controversy, “What happened again? Jay Leno took over Conan’s spot because he’s an ass**** right?” While UT Senior, Darren Anderson, also showed little interest in the conflict, “To tell you the truth I don’t like either of them. I don’t watch either of their shows so it doesn’t matter much to me.” The controversy apparently does not have the UT community talking.
With all of the drama this past week, both Leno and O’Brien have been able to make light of the situation by doing what they do best, making people laugh. This has brought much needed comic relief to late night television after all of the tension that has been rising. Leno had joked, “NBC stands for: Never Believe your Contract.” And while trying to manipulate his contract, which states he cannot say anything mean spirited about NBC, O’Brien told his audience -in Spanish- that, “NBC is run by brainless sons of goats who eat money and crap trouble.”
Due to other contract complications, O’Brien is prohibited to host a show on any program at least until September of this year. While nothing has been set in stone, however, Kevin Reilly, FOX Entertainment president, has spoken of FOX’s interest in O’Brien, “He would be a very compatible fit for our brand. He is one of the few guys on the planet that has demonstrated he can do one of these shows every night.” This may be a possible lead to O’Brien’s next step in his career.
During his final episode, O’Brien respectfully said to his audience, with all jokes aside, “Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard, and you're kind, amazing things will happen. I'm telling you, amazing things will happen." O’Brien’s last episode aired Friday, January 22, 2010.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Lisa Papagoda
Lisa Papagoda is a new student in Professor Humphrey’s Journalism I class that is held on Tuesday and Thursday nights in the Jaeb Computer Center. Originally from North Haven, Connecticut, Papagoda is currently a junior at the University of Tampa. When looking at colleges, she decided that she wanted warmer weather and to get away from the cold. Also, she is much more interested in an area that is new and bigger. She also has a younger brother, Joey, who is 17 years old. Papagoda had transferred this past summer from the University of West Florida in Pensacola. She did so because she had added her major of communication to a double major consisting of writing and communication. Papagoda is also working for a minor in advertising. She likes many types of music, mainly bands that play on the radio from the rock and pop music genres. Her activities while in Tampa include going out on the weekends to popular bars and clubs such as Boss Hoggs and Mangroves. She also enjoys going to the beach, shopping, and going to the movies with friends. Recent films she’s seen are Sherlock Holmes and Disney’s The Frog Princess.
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