Yeah. Like my friend John LeMasney wrote earlier this month on Facebook," that happened." I was informed last week that my role with the company was eliminated. So what does that mean? Eliminated? I'm not sure. Many other roles were eliminated -- some of my friends are also affected -- so I'm trying not to take it personally.
If the local bank puts in automated teller machines does it needs as many tellers on staff? No. I was given two weeks' notice and a chance to apply for any open positions within the company that match my interest and skill set. Fortunately, I was with the company for several years ( ironically I celebrated ten years with the company on March 10th ) and I was offered a suitable severance package and help with finding new employment.
Besides John, and some of my co-workers, my brother and my sister-in-law are also recently "unemployed." Someone shared with me the news that other pharmas are cutting jobs. It seems the industry is preparing for tough times ahead. I also read that Metlife is moving jobs from this area to North Carolina.
My wife, family, and friends have asked me how I feel. I'm not quite sure. I'm neither angry nor sad -- although I do miss the family of co-workers -- so maybe I'm just numb. Or perhaps I haven't processed what happened yet. In any case, I'm looking on the positive side. I now have the opportunity to seek out something new. Perhaps like John, I'll return to consulting. I successfully consulted as an open-source web developer, Linux/Apache web administrator, and systems integration specialist from 1998 through 2003. I enjoyed the consulting/freelancing work style, and I think I can do it again. I still have those skills along with the wireless networks, cloud security, vulnerability, and threat assessment, information security management and compliance, project management, and other management and business skills I've acquired over the years.
Or perhaps I'll take a different route. Maybe it's time I take my destiny into my own hands and start a new entrepreneurial experiment. I've wanted to write that great iOS photography app for some time. Maybe now is the time. This is the end of one thing, and the start of another. A new chapter in my life. And it will be great!
This week I've polished my résumé and researching what's available in the local market. If you are reading this and want to help, please contact me via my landing page or via telephone ( 609.964.1226 ).
Stay hungry, stay foolish ~ Steve Jobs
