Getting Laid(Off)

Desks were emptied this morning throughout my company as shoreside layoffs became official.

Hearts were broken, bridges were burned, and lives were forever changed as employees were given a severance package and asked to immediately vacate the premises.

It proved to be an experience that I may never forget. Nor will I be able to fully comprehend its impact.

I find myself evermore appreciative of my position and grateful to still have a job to call my own. I have been blessed with the luck to be hired into a department with a small and highly valued programming team. Our unique skill set has spared us from this round of layoffs. Had I been a member of the company's large IT department, I could have found myself packing up my belongings this morning along with the 300 others who left the building unemployed this morning.

Needless to say, today has been a somber and emotional day for everyone within the company. I was fortunate enough to know only two of the employees that were laid off today, and only for a few months since my hiring. One of the managers who interviewed me for my current position, as well as another whom I shared a cubicle wall with were let go as part of the reduction. It is a humbling experience to watch others face the grim prospect of finding a new job in today's economy.

In the weeks leading up to this morning, I have had the opportunity to evaluate my career goals and prepare mentally for the possibility of a layoff. I tried my best to view this prospect as an opportunity rather than an affliction. It could be a chance to start over with a clean slate and readjust my career path. I feel I would have made the most out of a bleak situation.

As the stress and anxiety mounted, I entertained the possibility of returning to school and earning my masters degree in Computer Science. I also considered the value of earning an MBA to go alongside my bachelors in Computer Science. The worth of a graduate degree seems to be gaining strength in today's competitive job climate. Regardless of my job security, I feel my value to a potential employer would be greatly increased with a masters degree under my belt.

This type of career restart would have also afforded me the opportunity to avoid becoming pigeonholed into a type of software development career that would leave me unfulfilled. My preparation for this workforce reduction allowed me to toy with the idea of chasing my dreams and moving to Silicon Valley. These thoughts brought me comfort and a sense of alternatives through these tough times. However, in the end, I am infinitely grateful to still have my job.