Description
- U.S. Faces Recession (04:34)
A young man describes losing his job as a loan officer at the end of the subprime mortgage bubble. In 2011, filmmaker D.W. Gibson interviewed unemployed Americans across the country.
- Zip Code Eliminated (02:25)
In June 2011, the company town of Empire, Nevada closed when the plant shut down. Tammy Sparkes had just bought the general store; she describes community members’ reluctance to leave.
- Recession’s Domino Effect (03:04)
Doris Tullar lost her job as a bus driver in Empire, Nevada; most families have left the area. Demand for mining gypsum was driven by the states construction boom.
- Nevada’s Foreclosures (01:16)
University of Nevada professor Elliot Parker explains how the state’s recession is linked to the California housing market.
- California’s Sub Prime Loans (03:13)
During the recession, Fresno’s unemployment went from bad to worse. Loan officer James Morrison recalls issuing mortgages that would inevitably end in foreclosure.
- Disabled and Unemployed in Utah (03:25)
Employment assistance organization PARC contracts custodial positions with a nearby Air Force base. Dusty Nance was laid off and can’t get benefits.
- Fighting Unemployment Depression (04:47)
Brenda Scott describes losing her custodial job at a Utah Air Force base while going through a divorce. She’s considering opening her own cleaning business.
- City Cut Backs in Wyoming (04:31)
Sue Whetten describes being laid off from Cheyenne Botanic Gardens – a job she loved. She misses working with volunteers and having financial independence.
- Outsourcing U.S. Jobs (05:13)
Three generations of Randy Badman’s family lived and worked in company town DeWitt. He describes being laid off after 36 years; soon after the factory was shuttered.
- Company Town Shuts Down (02:35)
Badman describes DeWitt before and after the factory closed, and the emotional impact of being laid off. He’s optimistic that the economy will pick up again.
- Psychology of Unemployment (04:28)
Wendy Hamilton describes her depression and financial struggle after being laid off in Omaha. U.S. leaders are reluctant to label the recession a depression.
- Unemployment Solidarity (07:06)
Doug Messenger describes a series of layoffs as an architectural drafter. He now works two retail jobs but makes half his old salarybut finds comfort that others share his situation.
- Losing Hope in Kansas City (07:39)
The U.S. GDP continues to grow, but employment is stagnant – resulting in fewer people working harder for less pay. Granketha Major and Christine Myrick describe losing their jobs at city hall, and the difficulty getting interviews in a competitive market.
- Living without Benefits (01:46)
Dominic Brocato describes his job search as frustrating. He’s been unable to get health insurance due to a preexisting condition.
- Losing a Career Identity (08:00)
Roni Chambers relates the emotional impact of firing 1,000 employees across the U.S. – and then being laid off herself. She volunteers at networking organization for middle aged, unemployed people.
- Technology Driven Economy (01:28)
An expert discusses how professionals have to upgrade their education and skills to stay valuable in the labor market.
- Journalism during the Recession (05:20)
Jenny Elig and Judy Wolf recall losing their jobs at the Indianapolis Star – causing a professional identity crisisand describe the mental challenges of unemployment.
- Identity Crisis of Unemployment (02:45)
Nancy Lee talks about the psychological and emotional process after losing her job – coinciding with a divorce.
- Finding New Career Inspiration (05:15)
After losing her job, a relationship helped Nancy gain life perspective. She’s turned a jewelry making hobby into a business and reconnected with her son.
- Optimism during Bankruptcy (06:16)
An expert discusses how short term thinking has resulted in environmentally irresponsible behavior. Pittsburgh private investigator Bob Bendig recalls losing his business; facing failure and networking have helped him get back on his feet.
- Jeopardized Careers in New Jersey (06:11)
State and local government layoffs outnumber federal ones during the recession. Rafael Rivera, Matthew Bonnette and Renee Muhammad describe their dismissal from the Camden Fire Department – the first in the citys history.
- Human Capital in the Recession (04:36)
Factors such as self-esteem are difficult to measure. Skills depreciate when unused – impacting the economy as well as individuals. Unemployed Americans give their definitions of work.
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