Unemployment Assets

By Orlando Rodriguez

Unemployment can be looked at as a half empty situation, and if you listen to think tanks who rile against social safety nets, you can feel guilty collecting a check.

But as long as you are doing your due diligence to create cash flow and not out beach combing, look at your unemployment check as a base salary that helps you to go out and build up income producing assets.

In New York City there are plenty of ways to take advantage and sharpen your tools so your crops can harvest.

Here are a few places that you can find some seeds:

1. Workforce 1

Workforce centers assist with resume writing, job search and interviewing skills and the like. They also offer training grants that will help pay for certifications.

2. U.S. Small Business Administration

The Small Business Administration will help you write a business plan, obtain funding and get training.

3. CUNY

The City University of New York offers one of the most affordable college deals in the nation. You can help yourself by obtaining a degree that will help your marketability.

4. Wall Street

Stockbroker trainee positions are commission only and your unemployment check will serve as a safety net while you work on the first deal. The Greico Financial Training Institute is one place that provides the necessary FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) securities licensing classes to qualify you for your series 7, 24 and 63 licenses.

5. Real Estate

You can take full advantage of your Unemployment Insurance to learn the ropes in real estate, build a clientele and work a sale, which can take 6 months. Obtaining your license is easy, especially since you have the time. The New York Real Estate Institute offers the most flexible (and fastest) tracks to your obtaining your legal qualification.

There of course are more ways, to make your time on UI count. Its all about finding a diamond in the rough.