Daniel A. Seddiqui graduated with a degree in economics but couldnβt find a job in his field. But, instead of suing his school in retaliation for a failed career path like other recent graduates, Seddiqui decided he was going to find a job no matter what.
And not just one job β 50 of them. Seddiqui launched what he now calls βLiving The Mapβ β a challenge in which he would try to secure a different job each week in every state across the country.
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Thus far, heβs been a weatherman, a park ranger, a high school football coach, and worked border patrol. When he wasnβt working those gigs he served as an archaeologist, insurance broker, wedding coordinator, and coal miner.
In a recent profile about his mission, the 27-year-old scoffed at the idea that people canβt go out and get a job despite the pitiful market. βI just left my driveway with no money. I was negative $65,000 from school loans and I bought my car right before I left. And, just made it all work. I had no other options," Seddiqui said.
As a result, he says heβs made about $50-60,000 so far this year. Money he claims he intends to save. Iβm sure the IRS will have something to say about that in due time.
If youβre wondering how he managed to move across the country every week, Seddiqui says he stays with βhost familiesβ who provide free board.
Hmm, how many families across states like West Virginia and Oregon do you think would be willing to host me? To be fair, I wouldnβt be surprised if friends back home in Texas charged for me squatting.
While I think Seddiquiβs story is interesting, I donβt buy that his experiment proves anyone can get a job anywhere.
If anything, it proves the power of publicity. If Iβm employer of a business who could use some good publicity, Iβd be offering someone whoβs been getting national coverage for a job-related campaign, too.
This is someone who wants and very likely will get their own book deal and/or reality show.
This isnβt proof of the American Dream. It's a publicist's fantasy come to life. So kudos to him, but I doubt this story is going to wake anyone up from their unemployment nightmares.
Do you?
Leave your comments below and email me your own recession tale to [email protected].
Michael ArceneauxΒ hails from Houston, lives in Harlem and praises BeyoncΓ©βs name wherever he goes. Follow him onΒ Twitter.
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