Comments on: Stunned

By: Uncle Steve

Uncle Steve — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 23:04:02 +0000

Hey D, Sorry to hear about that. It is a tough lesson and it is unfortunate that following your level of dedication and commitment on both a personal and professional level that they were willing to show you the door with no vaseline! Reprehensible, but standard fare for business…in business you have no friends, you’re just working with people who, when times are bad, will be happy to slit your throat if it means they survive. Regardless of what you have done with or for them. I am sure you will be wary of what you are willing to invest in the next place you are involved with.

Anyway, as Robin says, you do now have a clean slate, and the world is your oyster. Time to kick back a bit and assess what you want to do. Maybe you could get some OJT in the sign language arena? While you would not make much money, have you given any consideration to doing something like joining the Peace Corps (http://www.peacecorps.gov/) or Teach For America (http://www.teachforamerica.org/) or AmeriCorps (http://www.americorps.gov/)? You could make a huge contribution at a grass root level and feel really good about what you are doing. Way different than a business situation, and you may be well suited for that community service type of work. Again, not much money, but you can feel really good about it. Besides, isn’t that what a sign interpreter does? Isn’t it a community service position? So maybe you could get trained and get paid at the same time if you explore some of these opportunities. You also have the benefit of being essentially unfettered, and you can go anywhere and do anything…don’t forget that. You are young and mobile and smart…so you could have some really cool experiences while gaining the experience you want/need. Anyway, food for thought. Hang in there, I know you’ll do great whatever you end up choosing. Love ya…

By: RObin Klipper-Fischbein

RObin Klipper-Fischbein — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 12:54:07 +0000

Oh Denora, I am so sorry!
I do not know if you remember this but grandpa worked for Cal Chrome for 30 years, and in his 30th year, they re-organized and fired him. He and grandma were devastated! We were all older and just out of the house. He was panicked and she was already trying to decide what they could live without. He was after a week able to get another job, better than the previous job making way more money, company car, etc. Great for his ego. It was a start up company and he brought all of his contacts/clients with him. After about 2 years, they fired him saying they could hire another guy at 1/2 the price to finish what he had started. Again, devastated. He opted to retire at that point. I remember him telling me at that time, that you as the employee will always be more loyal to the company than they will be to you, and to always watch out for your own best interests because they won’t. It i8s hard to live like that, but there is so much truth in that.
You are now in a very unique place. You can now re-write your life, the way you want. Go for it! Do exactly what you want to do. Sign language interpreter? Do It! It is a great job!
Love you!

By: LL

LL — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 02:44:23 +0000

I’m so sorry Denora. I think you described your feelings well — being angry and taking it personally? How can you not? Everyone likes to say that business isn’t personal, but of course it is. It’s part of your life, something you prioritize, plan around, and spend the majority of your waking hours doing. In a small company I’m sure that’s even more true. I hope you find something wonderful soon – something you would never have done without this turn of events. Thinking of you.

By: NGS

NGS — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 02:03:17 +0000

Awww. I’m so sorry. I’ve been there quite recently, right down to the whole being taken aback by the entire situation. If you even need anyone to talk to, feel free to call.

By: Someone Being Me

Someone Being Me — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 01:34:38 +0000

I’m so sorry. Getting laid off sucks. If it makes you feel any better my husband actually works for family and he got a 30% paycut in May with no word on when he will get it back. Even though they have hired not one but two new employees in the past month.