Outsourcing and Self-Employment

It comes as no surprise to most people that a large number of American jobs are being "outsourced" to workers in other countries who will do the same jobs for less money than American workers. These are mainly high tech jobs that can be done by telecommuting. That is to say via the internet, computers, phones, faxes and emails. Computers and communication technology are such that these jobs don't have to be done in any specific location so Corporations, naturally, always looking to increase the bottom line, will avail themselves of the cheapest possible labor even if and especially if that labor is overseas. For jobs in this country, there is an equivalent solution: let them be done by illegal immigrants who will work more cheaply than American citizens. So you have both the jobs that "Americans don't want to do" and jobs "Americans want to do very much" being done by the cheapest possible labor whether the labor is imported or the jobs are exported.

While it is understandable that Corporations will look for the cheapest labor source in order to minimize expenditures and maximize profits, what is not understandable is why the American people are continually fed a line of bullshit about this situation. Senators and Congressmen are calling for "more science and engineering graduates" lest we fall behind in science and engineering. What difference does it make if "we" fall behind in these fields? Corporations will find these skills elsewhere in the world. Is there some commitment to American college graduates that there will always be jobs available for them? Hardly. Why should American citizens feel it's patriotic to become scientists and engineers in order that "we" don't fall behind? Do Corporations feel a sense of obligation or patriotism to hire Americans. Hardly.

Americans need to put their own interests first just as the Corporations do. That means don't put all your eggs in the basket of the job market. Always have a fall back position of self-employment. After all, they can't outsource your job if you're self-employed! Whatever credentials and licenses you get whether from college or from the state should represent your ability to hang out your own shingle and be in business for yourself. Then if you choose to take a job with a company, it isn't your only choice. You can always tell them to "take this job and shove it" and go into business for yourself. You are not dependent on the job market.

In fact I think that the only way to put yourself on the same footing with an employer is not to be an employee! Be a contract worker instead. Then you aren't subject to the whims of your boss! Your only commitment is to fulfill the terms of a contract that you entered into willingly. Suddenly you have your freedom of speech back. If you want to tell somebody to take a hike, you can as long as you fulfill the terms of your contract. They can't outsource a contract, but they can sure outsource a job. With a job your employer has control. You, as the employee, are powerless. If you're self-employed, you're independent. You're in charge of your own life and that's the way it should be. Why spend umpteen years in the educational system only to find your job outsourced and you still have to pay off a hundred thousand dollars in student loans?

If they want you bad enough, let them come to you. Meanwhile you've got your own business and your own clients or customers. There are certain occupations that lend themselves to self-employment more than others do. Take engineering, for example, a field I know something about having 3 degrees and having worked in the field. If you're a civil engineer, sure it isn't rocket science, but you can always hang out your own shingle and design septic systems for $3000. a pop. Of course the computer is going to do all the work and spit out the plans. On the other hand, if you're an electronics engineer or a computer scientist, what value does your degree grant you as someone who is self-employed. Basically nothing. You could be a computer consultant, but you don't need a degree to do that. The degree per se only grants you the right to put your future welfare into the hands of a corporation as an employee and as a ticket of admission to the field. You could save yourself a lot of money by just learning computers inside and out and starting your own business. If you hung out your shingle as a computer scientist with a BS degree, who would your clients be? In general the higher the tech, the less chances for self-employment. You want something that is stable and has been around for thousands of years.

Like the law, for example. You can always hang out your own shingle with that credential. All you have to do is pass the bar exam. Abraham Lincoln did it by studying on his own without even going to college. That's the way it should be. College is a waste of money. Information is readily available both on the internet and in libraries. MIT even offers their courses online for free. When are people going to learn that the Big Daddy, paternalistic Corporations that give them "benefits" like health care and pensions aren't like that any more. You can buy your own benefits. You can buy your own health care policy like other self-employed people do. You can buy your own pension like other self-employed people do.

Another thing: if you're self-employed, nobody tells you when you "have to" retire. The decision is entirely up to you. If you enjoy what you're doing and like the money you're making, you can continue working indefinitely. If you're a high tech engineer, you're deadwood by the time you're 35 in the eyes of most Corporations.

Well why, then, do we hear those suppliant cries for more engineers and more scientists lest we fall behind the rest of the world. Because the Corporations want a large labor pool to choose from. The larger the labor pool, by the law of supply and demand, the cheaper will be the wages they have to pay. but this is not quite logical either. They can always find cheaper labor elsewhere in the developing world. The trick is every American should think of themselves as a business and not an employee or a worker. Put yourself first like the Corporations do. Ask yourself not what is good for America, but what is good for your own bottom line. Then you will ask yourself the following question: what lines of work can't be outsourced and can't be done by cheap illegal immigrant labor? Those are the lines of work and credentials to pursue. Then get those credentials in the cheapest possible way. A law degree is a law degree. Why go to Harvard when you can get one over the internet that allows you to hang out the same shingle with your name on it.

The business of America is business as someone once famously said. Treat your work life as a business. Don't think of yourself as an employee. If you become one, have a fall back self-employment position. You are the CEO of your own life!