(no subject)

[per_solo]

Ok, little more detail, as I should go by more than I have with the previous entries.

It was told to me today that, by August 1st, I will no longer be employed where I'm currently at.

I've been there for almost 6 years now, so this is a little bit of a "WTF?". The issue is that they've done an analysis, and there just isn't work for 2 full time techs. As I'm an assistant, with good people skills, but no real skills when it comes to Servers (I've been learning, slowly as I can), it makes more sense to lose me. Fortunately, the company did pay for my A+ Certification last year (Well, the classes, they paid for the tests earlier this year).

I'm a bit hurt, a bit pissy...I think the way I described it was that I had about 100 emotions going through me all at once, not to mention the stresses I'm going through anyways with the convention in 2 months. And the planning of running a major tournament at Gencon this year...now, I get to job hunt as well.

On a major front, it does make more sense for me to be the one to leave...the company has only invested the A+ training into me...whereas, with my boss, they've invested in his MCSE, his current schooling at Phoenix, and if he were to lose his job,he's got a Wife, a Kid, a Car, and a House. Ultimately, for the fact that he is also my friend, it's the best decision if something like this were to happen.

It doesn't change the fact that I have a car payment, I rent an Apt, I have the standard bills that come with all that...this gets to be an added stress. I've debated dropping everything at this point...Gencon, Incon, Gaming...at this point, I'll still go ahead with Incon, but that's more because I think I've put together some fun things, and I've got some cool ass guests coming in. I'm looking forward to seeing Aaron again, meeting Filkertom, meeting Tara K Harper, and seeing Eugene Roddenberry again. And I'll get to hang out with many friends...a good portion of whom I dont' get to hang out/have fun with, except for this one time of year, really.

A wise man said, via proxy, that "This will open you to opportunities that loyalty wouldnot have allowed you..". There's a fair bit of truth in that. I have always been loyal to my company. I've questioned things, and posted fears, concerns and other such, but ultimately, I love the people I work with. The ones that have been major pains in the asses have left, leaving a core group of good people.

My biggest concern/bitch...YEARS ago (4), my boss and I made a deal with each other that if we knew something like this were coming down the pike, we'd warn the other. This has been evaluated/discussed for at least a year. Yes, on the defense side of my boss, how do you tell a friend such...But, if that's the case, you don't make a deal like that.

Today, my meeting was supposed to be to go over my goals for the coming year...I'd worked on them, and printed them out, ready to figure out what my goals should be for the next year. At least I did get one goal sorted out, eh?

Oh, and two songs that are really good for driving with the windows down, in very chill weather, to burn off heat...."A Warm Place" and "The Day the Whole World Went Away (Quiet Version), by Nine Inch Nails, from the cobbled together "Touching Evil" soundtrack that KMN has.

Comments

What feelings this do bring up.

[royalcrow.livejournal.com]

Man, I kinda thought that was going on with the previous posts. Dude, I am sorry this happened to you. I know how it feels, but maybe you are so taken care of with other distrations is because there will be brighter things for you in the near future. I know sometimes it does not look like that - but what would have been my future if had not lost my 55,000 a year job back in 2000. I would not have met Kat, who introduced me to this crazy group who meets once a month to talk about "Gasp" Science fiction and stuff like that. I would not also have found a friend that makes me laugh and honors me with Movie Trivia, who brings up the challenge of my film making hobbies because he actually DOES KNOW FOLKS THAT MAKE MOVIES. I could go on and on.

I know that from this point forward you are going to be going through a lot and it will take time. You can not remember this enough, your friends are always there with you. Oh, on the point about knowing servers and such - it really ain't that hard. Just think of it being a big box that talks to a lot of other boxes and allows other boxes to talk to each other. Cisco is going to rule the world anyway, so that is my pitch for the future. I seen that tonight walking around in the Comcast headend talking about what was driving our CDV service forward. Fascinating stuff.

Be well and take care of yourself,
Tony

Re: What feelings this do bring up.

[per_solo]

Yeah, well, when you saw that first post, it's kinda hard not to get if you've heard the word "redundancy" before.

I'm curious where this will take me..hell, the last job before this one was a fun adventure, that led to me going to a job for 5+ years. It took me to Vegas, where I got disappeared on stage, and won cash..and got to see Second City, and be greatly inspired by that.

Never know where it leads me next...as always, tho, the journey is interesting.

I know what you are going thru...

[thedruidbear.livejournal.com]

... having gone through this before (many times). There are some differences, though. In most of the cases, I was the one making the move. In the cases where it was not, I was not given notice (nearly what, three moonths?). In any case, it is hard. The job market is tough; I hate to say it, but it is true. But, with your A+, maybe Fry's or Best Buy's "Geek Squad" would be an okay fit, until you find something better. Also, the campus at IUPUI is always hiring help desk geeks in UITS. Granted, they prefer students, but you could always apply for college and take some classes (maybe in acting or theater).

Remember, life is not a destination, it is a journey. It is not what is dealt to us that makes it good or bad, but how we react to it. Live well.

Peace,

Bear

Re: I know what you are going thru...

[per_solo]

I've been through many job changes...hell, I seem to recall in 93, going through 5 in one year. Have always said I'll never be THAT bad again. Best Buy's might not be a bad idea...will look into it well.

Amen on the reacting to it, Am doing my best to react well.

Take care, and thanks for the advice.

[echoweaver.livejournal.com]

I did some searches for helpdesk techs on dice.com and monster, and most of what I turned up were 3-6 month contract positions. However, that can be a good route. That assumes helpdesk tech is the career route you want -- it seems right with the problem-solving and people skills, but obviously this is your thing and not mine. Contract positions can be a not bad way to go, though. Just less sense of security until you can get someone to offer you a perm :-p.

I'd also recommend talking to Manpower and other recruiters/staffers in the area directly. They can do some of your legwork for you. Also, if you'd like someone to take an editing pass at your resume when it's ready, I'm more than happy to do it.

[per_solo]

:-) Thanks. I'll have to look into the contract thing, even as a pass to something perm.

Thanks for the offer on the Resume look..I'll pass it to you, as well...I've got 3 others also taking a crack at it, 2 of whom you know from the grill. :-)

[the-pixie.livejournal.com]

Bear actually did the contract thing for quite some time. It can be a great way to test different types of jobs out and gain different types of experience. Unfortunately, I think that too many people go into contracting positions with the hopes that they will be hired on at the place they get contracted out too...depending upon the company, this may not happen due to policies. The other problem you have to watch out for is that some contracting companies will not pay you while you're between jobs (Manpower is notorious for this), so if they can't find someting to suit your skillset, you may be waiting for something for a while. If you're interested in the ins and outs of contracting, let me know and Bear and I can sit down with you for dinner sometime.

[confusedjew.livejournal.com]

sorry to hear it. but better things will come along. promise. :)in the meantime i'll send some happy thoughts your way k?

[per_solo]

K, thanks. :-)

[the-pixie.livejournal.com]

Per, I'm sorry to hear about the decision. I know that common reaction to something like this is to be stressed and upset, but remember that the journey to life is all dependent upon the way you react to a situation. One of my favorite sayings is, "There is nothing good, there is nothing bad, but thinking makes it so". It's true in any type of situation. Even if you hear information that could be considered the worse thing in thw world (ex. you're dying and have 2 months to live), it all depends upon how you process the information and react to it (above example, go into a depression and pout until you die or express love to everyone you know and take time to do the things you want to do before you die...living every moment to its fullest).

Although the situation may see upsetting now, you can turn it into an incredibly positive one...for example, deciding to get an internship at your dream job. Let this be the catelist to get the fire started that will allow you to go down a different path. It sounds like you were lucky enough to get a few months lead time. This should allow you to help shape your future.

As for the company, even though it's disappointing, think of it this way...You were able to get education and valuable experience from it. If you decide to follow the same path that you've already started, this will be invaluable for you on your resume and in the interviews. If you decide to do something else, then you gained four years of customer service experience that you can put on your record, which looks fantastic no matter what job you take.

As far as positions....think about where you want to be in 5 or 10 years and follow your heart. Let me know and I'll see if I know anyone that has any connections to help you in that direction.