Pirogoeth's Journal: Gainfully Employed? Oui! (Whee? Wii?)

One day last July, I came into work and my manager met me at my desk mumbling something about coming up to someone's office right away and something something something. She looked nervous about something. I got up there and inside was my former manager who I worked for for about eight years. He didn't look very happy either, and suddenly my spider sense started tingling. Sure enough, I had found myself on the head end of the mass layoffs that were going on that day. He told me that he had fought to try and save my position, but it was out of his hands.

Crap.

I got a stack of boxes and was told to clear out my desk and head home. And oh, by the way, someone will be coming by later. Could you please show him how to work the system you've been developing and administering for the past five years before you go? Yeah, right. I was out of there quickly and heading for home for the last time, stunned that after ten years, it was over just like that.

Almost ten months later, I've finally found a job, albiet as a contractor, for a project that could run up to five years with a guarded but hopeful shot at getting employed full-time.

It's quite a step up. I have my own office, a couple windows looking out over the downtown area, the river, and Lake Michigan, a reserved parking spot on the connected ramp, really nice co-workers, and all the coffee I can drink. All this for a company that's always high on the Best Places to Work lists.

Another plus is that it's less than a third of the distance to my previous job. Before I was filling up over once per week. Now I'm going a week and not even using up half a tank.

I can't say I was completely sad about being unemployed for ten months. Our third was born last April, so I got to see him every day and he's gotten to be more of a daddy's boy than the previous two were since my wife got to spend so much more time with them since she was home all summer.

But, yay! Paychecks!

Welcome

[LordBodak]

Welcome to the wonderful world of contracting. DoD, non-military government, or what?

Re:Welcome

[Pirogoeth]

Industry. If I were on a game show, I'd say "I work for a major manufacturer of household products".

Re:Welcome

[jawtheshark]

ACME? ;-)))

Congratulations!

Cool

[Iamthefallen]

Congrats.

Re:

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Congratulations

[Degrees]

I was RIF'd in late 2004, but then the site figured out that was a mistake, and I'm back again.

I was actually getting a little depressed about not finding a job - but then I didn't have a little one to cheer me up.

I'm glad this is working out well for you. :-)