This is the third in a series of articles showing the impact of the nation's job crisis on the people of the North Country.
Tomorrow: Pending prison closure will mean long commute to new job.
PLATTSBURGH — Brandon Grom has lived here all his life.
But now he's finding it tough to stay.
The 23-year-old Plattsburgh State graduate is looking to put his bachelor-of-arts degree in human services to good use but said this region doesn't lend itself to young job seekers.
"I graduated in December, and I've been on the prowl ever since," Grom said.
WORKING AT MALL
He works as a sales associate at Claire's Boutique in Champlain Centre mall, making $8.10 an hour and working 10 to 12 hours per week.
"There aren't really a lot of hours because the market is so bad right now," he said.
So, to make up for that, Grom, who graduated from Plattsburgh High School in 2005, is in training for a part-time position at Friendly's, where the shortage of hours is also prevalent.
"It's interesting to work two part-time jobs and not even make a third of one full-time job."
SEARCHING FOR JOB
The thought of upcoming student-loan payments is a big motivator to get to work.
The Plattsburgh native has applied to seven jobs in the area, three of which are in his field of study.
He thinks the biggest obstacle is the sagging job market.
"I think it's a great place to grow up, and I'd love to raise a family here," Grom said. "But the job market isn't as up to par as that in Albany or a more metropolitan area."
TAINTED VIEW
But he said it's not just the job pool holding him back. He's found that the region as a whole has a negative view of job seekers his age, often following the college stereotype and perhaps preventing recent grads from staying in the area.
"It's hard around here," he said, mentioning his experiences with local offices full of people older than 35.
"People think I'm young and irresponsible. They don't take you seriously. That feeling comes off in this entire area."
Grom, who said he hasn't had a sip of alcohol in more than two years, feels he is anything but irresponsible, with an academic resume boasting his involvement in seven boards and committees campus-wide, serving with college professors, staff members and fellow students.
He was vice president for Central Affairs, where he organized an effective Unity Rally, bringing together more than 1,000 people against the Westboro Baptist Church protests of the production "The Laramie Project."
"I really focus on that when I'm applying," Grom said of the achievement. "That shows I'm really active about social justice. I'm a very serious active community member."
Which is why he wants to make helping those who need it his life work.
"I have a passion for helping people who are under-served."
SELLING YOURSELF
He applied to a job at Evergreen Valley Nursing Home but was told he was overqualified. He was asking for $8.50 an hour.
"My heart was still in the right place, because I want to work with geriatric people."
So each day, Grom spends time applying to jobs and refining his resume.
"I hate when they don't call you back," he stressed.
"You have to sell yourself. I have personality, and you can see it. Yes, you can put it on paper, and it will show through, but it doesn't reflect all of me."
In the meantime, Grom is considering graduate school at the University at Albany for a master's degree in social work. If he gets an assistantship, he will get a stipend, free housing and 50 percent off his tuition.
It's an option he's waiting to hear back on as he continues his career search.
"I've never been this bored. You can only do so many things before you're, like, I want a job!"
E-mail Michelle Besaw at: mbesaw@pressrepublican.com
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