According to this article in the Rosemount Town Pages, a 2008 graduate of Rosemount High School and an AA degree recipient from an online institution is using shared time on a video billboard on 35W to attempt to find a new job.

From the article:

“I was just kind of thinking of an idea of, how can I grab businesspeople’s attention,” Olson said. “I’m kind of an idea person, and taking a different approach to things. Sometimes that’s just the way you have to do it in business.”

He considered options like online advertising, but the billboard seemed like the most cost-effective way to get his name out. The billboard features Olson’s face on the left with a big message, “HIRE ME!” and the address of Olson’s website. It also features icons for Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin, in case potential employers want to track him down there.

While this is certainly bold and somewhat different, although definitely not unique, the real reason why this individual may be finding it difficult to land a job is probably not because he’s not trying but because he’s putting his money and effort into avenues which are much better spent elsewhere–such as working towards a degree from a more traditional university. Being that I have worked for and currently attend an online institution for my masters degree, I am quite aware of issues the public has with higher education as well as their perception of online institutions. Instead of spending $300 for a billboard, a bit more for a website, and a bunch of time submitting resumes with an AA degree and experience promoting a business which probably doesn’t need much promotion via social media, perhaps he should be heading back to school and working harder to land a job in a more traditional manner–such as applying to more than 10 jobs a week. And, just for comparison, I was recently looking for a new job while employed and I was sending out more than 10 resumes a week. Why is 10 a week for someone who is unemployed something we should be in awe over?

What do you think about this kid’s decision to promote himself via a billboard on 35W? Do you think that this project will land him a viable job more quickly than traditional routes or do you think it’s nothing more than a silly gimmick which has him out of $300–possibly funded by your tax dollars through unemployment? Do you agree that his AA isn’t enough to get him very far, especially one from an online institution and he should instead be working harder to further this education? Whatever you have to say about this one go ahead and comment on as I’d love to hear what you have to say.

Just as I did in 2009 and 2010, I ranked the restaurants we visited in 2011. I have provided a South Metro ranking and a ranking for those North of the River as well. While this is not to be considered anything but a fun little post to go back over the last year, I’m sure some will use it for advertising or to point out just how awful I am and/or note my lack of some sort of background in food which would then deem it acceptable for me to review restaurants.

PLEASE NOTE:

1. These restaurants were ones we visited and reviewed in 2011 only. They are not comprehensive across the 6+ years the site has been reviewing and they are not meant to suggest these restaurants are the best or worst in the area overall. They’re simply a 1 to 36 ranking of those we visited and reviewed in 2011. If you fail to understand this please realize we will ridicule you mercilessly.

2. I have visited some of these restaurants on more than one occasion but I took only the first visit for the review into account during the ranking.

3. While the top few and bottom few are pretty set, those which appear in the middle are more squishy.

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Restaurants North of the River:

1. The Nook
2. Black Sheep
3. Palace’s Pizza
4. The Wienery
5. Vellee Deli
6. Wolves Den
7. Blackbird
8. Hola Arepa
9. D-Spot Wings
10. Origami
11. Shorty and Wags Chicken Wings
12. Marla’s Caribbean Cuisine
13. Andale Taqueria and Mercado
14. Shamrock’s
15. Joey Nova’s
16. Dandelion Kitchen
17. YumMi
18. Krungthep Thai
19. The Blue Door Pub
20. The Lexington
21. Taste of Thailand
22. Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant

South Metro Restaurants:

1. Ramadan Restaurant and Grill
2. Andiamo
3. Stockmen’s Truck Stop
4. Bella Pizza
5. Valley Tap House
6. Morgan’s on Nicollet: A New World Tavern
7. Burger Time
8. Reno’s Pizza
9. Burger Jones
10. Las Tortillas
11. Zest Bar and Grill
12. Taqueria Hidalgo
13. Ernies Pub and Grill
14. Teresas Mexican Restaurant

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I’d like to take a special moment and congratulate both Teresa’s Mexican Restaurant in Lakeville and the Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant for their outstanding contributions to the site this year. Those two meals were by far the worst I’ve had in a very, very, very long time. In fact, Teresa’s may have been the worst I’ve ever had in my life. But even so, those two reviews were by far the most fun I’ve had writing since my Corner Table review back in 2010. Even I can find some enjoyment when presented with terrible food!

It’s important to also note that there wasn’t one restaurant which I coded as a “green” (excellent) in the South Metro. It may also interest you to know that no South Metro restaurants reviewed have closed yet but the bottom five probably should save everyone some money and do so now. On the other hand, while in 2010 there was only one reviewed restaurant receiving a “red” (don’t bother) rating in the Metro (this year I’m including all North of the River), the bottom five restaurants received this highly coveted honor in 2011.

It was a great year for reviewing restaurants with many new openings, some familiar favorites, and several restaurants which I have visited time and time again (a true test of their worth). But it’s not important how I rank them, what do you think about the rankings here? Do you agree with how the restaurants you tried yourself rank above? What restaurants would you like to see us hit in 2012? Which ones do you think you’re going to try? Whatever you have to say about the 2011 Restaurant Ranking List go ahead and comment on as I’d love to hear your thoughts.