Unemployed
On Friday, October 30, 2009, I lost my job. My employer, OpenRain, was acquired by another web development company in the Phoenix area, redPear. Read the press release about the acquisition. Unfortunately I wasn't included in the acquisition.
This is the first time I've ever been laid off. As one would expect, I'm going through a ton of different emotions - sadness, anger, fear. As many of you know, my husband, Chris, is in school full time so we're completely reliant on my income. Now that I don't have any income, it's very, very scary. I'm also sad because I loved everyone at OpenRain. I was only there 5 months, but all the people there are awesome. I'll be sad that I don't get to work every day with them.
Chris' parents were visiting Phoenix this weekend so they heard the news very early on. (Though I waited to tell them until I could say it without crying...that took about 24 hours.) It was so encouraging to have them here. They gave us great advice about planning our next steps and setting future goals. My family has been really supportive as well. I love that both of our parents have offered to help in any way they can, because "that's what families are for."
Though this is a big and unplanned change in my life, I'm confident it's happening for a reason. I'm positive that there's something better out there for me. That I'm supposed to learn something through this. That I needed this in my life (and just didn't know it). Things will be OK.
What's next?
Everyone is asking me what I'm going to do next. On Monday, I stayed in bed until noon just because I could. (I spent the time reading The Wishing Year by Noelle Oxenhandler. It was fabulous & exactly what I needed at that very moment. I'd highly recommend the book!) I hung out with friends in the afternoon and did a long bike ride with the ladies in the evening. Today (Tuesday), I've been hanging out with friends and running errands with Chris. Tonight I'm going to clean the house. Exciting, right?
Later this week I'm going to drive to Colorado to visit my best friend, Summer. I figure I might as well take advantage of all this free time. I've already applied for unemployment insurance. I'm in the process of updating my resume. I've just begun telling my network of my new employment status. Jobs come through people you know so I figure I'll give the network some time to work.
I'm also going to spend some time thinking about what I really want in the next job. Because there's nothing like getting let go to make you think about what you'd really like to do with your life.
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about erica
- Blogging since 2001
- Thirty-four years old
- Married to Chris Altman
- Lives in Phoenix, Arizona
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Love the storage ideas for sheets, wrapping paper, & spray bottles.
Interesting article from Matt Haughey about a poorly run project on Kickstarter so others can avoid the same mistakes.
My friend, Jay Frosting, is doing an improvised comedy podcast with fake guests. Check it out!
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So sorry to hear this! But you're right, you WILL get through it and come out stronger than you were going in. From personal experience I know that you too will look back one day and realize it was actually the best thing for you. So chin up, and good hunting!
Cheers,
Dave
So. Don't take this the wrong way, but, welcome to the club :)
openrain was definitely one of my favorite work environments and it was tough to be the first to get cut in the situation. Things will regroup faster than you think :) I hope to see you around the gangplank sometime. That's where I've been hanging since openrain.
Best of luck finding a new gig that makes you as happy as OpenRain or more! I'm sure you won't have too much trouble. If you're around for any of that Geek Week stuff, I'd definitely recommend getting out and talking to people. I hope to see a blog post about your next step!
I'm sorry you were let go during the acquisition :(
I loved working with you at Integrum and I'm sure you'll have no trouble finding something new. It also sounds like you might be reevaluating what you want to do? Let me know if I can lend an ear or help in any other way!
Sorry to hear that you lost something that you really enjoyed. I got laid off in the bust after 9/11, and it ended up being a huge, positive turning point for me. I have every confidence that it will be for you too! If you want a place to crash in Berkeley for a cheap layoff vacation, just say the word!
I'm very very sorry to hear this Erica! I know you'll figure out what you are going to do soon.. Perhaps Colorado will clear your head enough to make some decisions..
Being laid off is one of life's less pleasant experiences. Remember that it isn't a reflection on you personally (that was hard for me) and that you are still completely fabulous. And in lots of good company in the unemployment situation. :)
Sending hugs & positive thoughts...
I think Saul is right that things will regroup faster than you think. It sounds like the tougher decision is determining what you want to do next.
I'm sorry you were let go. Maybe we'll see you around Gangplank :) Best of luck!
E-
I went through this back in March and while I suppose everyone faces this differently, it was the best thing to happen to me in a good while. For me, it gave me a chance to figure out what worked and did not. Me, I ended up back in school in NYC.. .all the best to where you will end up next. Hope it is a great adventure.
All the best,
C
You will be fine. It's a bummer, but you'll get past it and find another job that you enjoy. You'll also find some other nuggets of goodness. You just don't know what those nuggets are yet.
Take some time and decide what is next for you. You might surprise yourself.
Give me a call if I can help.
I love you. Maybe mom can give you a flight to Germany and you can come stay with me and Braydon. Chris is out of town most of the time so it would be wonderful to have you around.
Erica, I'm so sorry you are going through this. First of all, it's a business decision and I hope you are not taking it personally. Secondly, I think you are doing the right thing in taking some time to make decisions about what you want to do in the future.
Sending good thoughts your way.
I do wish you the best in your new search. With all the big conferences and community things going on next week it's the best time to get out and start talking again. Hope to see you out there :)
I'm sorry to hear this, Erica. We all bring two important things to our work: our skills/knowledge and our heart. You have so many skills and such a great attitude about life that I'm sure there is an amazing opportunity waiting for you around the bend.
I think you are doing some really smart things, and your friends have given you some great advice here. Keep your chin up, and if I can help cheer you along the road, don't hesitate to ask.
I'm going to throw in with the "it will be good" crowd. Getting laid off many years ago lead to the move + subsequent career change that landed me where I am today. In all, it was a fantastic shakeup. Of course at the time it was terrifying and frustrating. I know you'll turn this into something great Erica.
Sorry to hear that Erica. Hope you find something you enjoy doing soon.
So I'm cleaning up my FTP client and realize you left me the login information for this site. I did NOT use it for evil (just deleted it), but was reminded I enjoy your writing and needed to stop by. Now I see you are UNemployed! BOO HISS! This does explain why I got a mysterious phone call about a potential bounced check from OpenRain. So sorry it didn't work out.
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