Kinzers, Pa. - Daniel Seddiqui graduated four years ago with an economics degree.

Fresh out of college, the California man tried to find a job using his skills.

It wasn't easy.

"I failed 40 interviews straight out of college," Seddiqui said.  "I looked for three years for a full-time job and didn't get anything."

But Seddiqui did get an idea.

He set out across the country to try 50 different jobs in 50 states in 50 weeks.

"I just came up with the idea and went for it...with no money," Seddiqui said laughing.

Over the past 40 weeks he's made cheese in Wisconsin, predicted the weather in Ohio, cooked seafood in Maryland, and modeled in North Carolina.

This week he is making Amish Furniture at a shop along Route 30 in Kinzers, Lancaster County.

"It hasn't been the toughest job at all," Seddiqui said.  "We woke up at 5:00 this morning to get ready for work so it may take a toll by Friday."

Seddiqui said he has made between $300 and $3,000 on any given week. 

Seddiqui chronicles his journey on his website, www.livingthemap.com.  He said the site gets one million hits every day.

He said he plans to write a book at the end of his travels, to help anyone looking for a job.

"I thought there were no opportunities because I failed those 40 interviews," Seddiqui said.  "I'm never going to say that again.  Never.  Because there's always something to do, there's always something to see in this country."

"Be willing to try new things," Seddiqui continued.  "Be willing to move to a new place... something that you never saw yourself doing.  Don't think you're over-qualified or under-qualified."

 

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