Happy Labor Day, JobMonkey readers! Do you know that today is a very special day for our blog? We love Labor Day for a number of reasons. First, there is the obvious connection between what we blog about and what this holiday is about — labor, work, employment.

Whether you’ve got the job of your dreams or your current gig is just a means to an end, we want to help you find more fulfillment in your employment situation. We want your job to be a true labor of love!

Now, the second reason that this is a special day is because we launched this blog on this very day two years ago! Can you believe it? In 24 months, we have grown from one lone blogger bringing you the JobMonkey news to an international effort of a team of bloggers reporting on everything from oil spill relief volunteer jobs to middle east volunteer and work abroad opportunities — to everything in between.

We very much appreciate your readership and welcome your continued comments and feedback! Here’s to another two years!

On another Labor Day note, President Obama spoke today about the state of the economy and vowed that created jobs would be his “most urgent task.”  Later this week, Obama will unveil a $50 billion plan to stimulate jobs by expanding the country’s roadways, railways and runways. We cover railroad jobs and airline jobs on JobMonkey – quite extensively.

The President is also set to propose extending tax breaks for small businesses and entrepreneurs. If you are thinking about starting your own work-from-home business, now might be a great time!

Last month, the country lost 54,000 jobs, which raised the unemployment rate back up to 9.6%. About the slowing pace of the economic recovery, President Obama said last Friday:

The economy is moving in a positive direction, jobs are being created; they’re just not being created as fast as they need to, given the big hole that we experienced…We’re moving in the right direction. We just have to speed it up.

What do you think? Are things moving in the right direction? Have you seem improvements in your own community?

Happy Labor Day!

In President Obama’s first State of the Union address last night, he waxed on for 70-some minutes about the economy, the housing crisis, the health care reform (meltdown) and Iraq and Afghanistan.

But amidst those important issues, his top priority for the coming year was clear: Job creation.

Jobs must be our number one focus in 2010, and that’s why I’m calling for a new jobs bill tonight.

Recognizing that America’s businesses are the “true engine” for job creation, President Obama asserted that “government can create the conditions necessary for businesses to expand and hire more workers.” To support the “sheer grit and determination” of the American entrepreneurs responsible for small businesses, Obama is proposing a $30 billion small business tax credit for businesses hiring new employees and raising wages.

He is also calling on Congress to pass some new infrastructure projects, which as readers of this blog, you might be particularly excited about:

>> There is the high-speed railroad project (which President Obama is touting today in Florida…. You can read more about railroad jobs on JobMonkey)

>> and then there are the investments in building new clean energy facilities — aka green jobs (which I’ve talked about extensively on this blog and will probably do so again in the near future)

While job creation received the most air time during President Obama’s oratory, other topics touched on included the housing crisis, banking reform, and health care.

Did you catch the State of the Union? What did you think about the President’s job creation plan?

Have you heard? Billionaire mogul Warren Buffet is buying a railroad. In November, his company, Hathaway Inc., proposed a $26.3 billion acquisition of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. The Federal Trade Commission finished its review of the deal today, prompting Buffet’s company to predict that the deal will close by the first quarter of 2010. Burlington Northern operates 32,000 miles of track in 28 states. It is a major line for coal, grain and consumer goods.

So what does Buffet, one of the most successful investors in history, want with a railroad?  According to this article from CNN Money, railroads are the transportation modes of the future. With focused investments over the last two decades, railways have more than doubled the productivity of their engines, and have quickly become the standard bearer in green energy.

• For instance, did you know that trains get 80% better mileage today than they did in 1980?
• And, did you know that the trains use 65% less fuel and create 65% less greenhouse gas emissions than tracks — when calculated for distances of greater than 1,000 miles?

With efficiency already up, the bid by Buffet is likely to push the railroad industry well into the next decade. New job creation is booming, as manufacturers of everything from corn to coal to consumer goods are increasingly turning to the rails for faster, cheaper and greener shipping alternatives.

Do you want to land a job on the fast growing railroad? Check out JobMonkey’s newest Guide to Railroad Jobs.

Happy Wednesday everybody! I’m sorry I am so late with these job leads; the turkey, pumpkin pie and stuffing took precedence today.

But never fear, I’ve got three great job leads to share with you on this Thanksgiving Eve.

If you head on over to the JobMonkey’s free Job Center right now, you will see a couple of pages of awesome railroad jobs. What an amazing way to earn a paycheck while seeing the country! If you want to learn more about working on the railroad (all the livelong day), check out our newest section on working for railroad companies.

1. Assistant Roadmaster Job, Kansas City Southern Railway Co., Texarkana, TX

The job of the roadmaster is to inspects and fix any track that slows or stops the movement of trains in his or her assigned territory. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of a college degree, along with three years experience in railroad engineering, successful completion of the FRA Track Safety Standards class, and basic computer skills.

2. Carman Apprentice, Canadian National Railway Company, Mobile, AL

The job of the carman is to build, repair and inspect railway cars and trailers to assure that they comply with federal and company regulations. The ideal candidate will have good eye-hand coordination, be able to lift up to 100 pounds, and be willing to work outdoors in extreme weather conditions with regular exposure to dust, pollen, fumes, noise and vibrations. Minimum job requirements include a high school diploma and completion of the 4-year apprenticeship required to become a Journeyman Car Mechanic. Night, weekend and holiday work hours as needed.

3. Conductor, Genesee & Wyoming, Inc. , Galveston, TX

The job of a conductor is to operate track switches, couples and uncouples cars, signal the crew members for engine movement, and relay lantern or radio signals. The ideal candidate will have excellent oral communication skills, physical strength and/or endurance. Additional requirements include a minimum of a high school diploma (although an AA is preferred), 2 years of railroad experience, and the willingness to work outdoor in harsh weather conditions.

If you didn’t find the job of your dreams on our hot jobs list today, be sure to check out the JobMonkey Job Center for hundreds of other listings in every imaginable field.

Good luck with your job search this week! And remember: Even if you have been looking for a while, take a moment to count your blessings this Thanksgiving season. We all have something in our lives to be grateful for!

The JobMonkey just launched two brand new sections on new and cool job opportunities: railroad jobs and business franchises. Have you always dreamed of workin’ on a railroad? What about owning your own franchise? The JobMonkey tells you everything you need to know to get started in either of these exciting — and potentially lucrative — careers. Come visit the JobMonkey today for more information.