It was September 29 last year when I, together with other 70+ I.T professionals(in different specializations) said goodbye to our company.
No, it was not a mass resignation. It was the other way around. The management came up with a “new strategy” and decided to outsource our work to another country. That said, we lose our jobs. Or in short, we got laid off.
I already shared the story here.
It was a dream career, a dream role in a dream company. But then again, one thing was out of my hand — control.
No matter how large the company is, no matter how good the benefits are and no matter how long you’ve been working there, you still don’t have the assurance how long it will last. There are many factors that could happen that is out of your control. And in just a blink of your eye, you can lose your job.
Especially if you’re working in BPO industry like I was. Change is a normal thing. Leadership and management are constantly moving for the sake of the business.
Whether you like it or not, they can decide to end this or transfer that. After all, it’s their business and you’re just an employee. And that was what happened.
Good thing was, we were fairly compensated and there was job assistance offered to help us find a new one. So my friends and colleagues didn’t have a hard time getting back to “normal”.
Me?
I took a different path. With the support of my loving wife, we decided that I take care of our baby and take control of the house. That day I became a full-time dad, a full-time househusband ???? …
… and a part-time entrepreneur.????
With more than 50+ job offers and interviews in the last 12 months, I’m confident I can be hired in one of them if I push through. But I did not.
I want to take the control and to have more freedom.
I miss the fun in the office. But it is definitely more fun to be with my wife watching our son grow, playing with him any time of the day, being with him every checkup, hearing his first words, seeing his first tooth, witnessing his first steps and a whole lot more. That’s priceless!
Will I get back in the field?
Maybe yes, but not for now.
I love the I.T career. It’s still my passion.
In fact, I’m running and helping a community who wants to be in the same career I was. It’s just a personal choice and let’s just say, this is the way I want to live our life for now.
The ironic part is, I earn more than what I used to so it turned out to be a blessing. Sigh. Lol. 😉
Hope you pick up something here. Cheers!
Losing a job is not the end. In fact, it could be a blessing in disguise. I haven’t had a job since 2009 and last year, my business failed. But I’m not giving up. As the saying goes, “Fall down 7 times, stand up 8.”
Wheew! Thanks for dropping by Luis. We can do this!
Last February 2017, I had a major breakdown.
I, along with 20 more great people, were made redundant on the job we absolutely love. It was a traumatizing experience not just for me, but for the entire team I’ve worked with for the past two years.
Back then I asked God, “Why me?!”
So many thoughts came on my mind:
Am I not good enough?
Can I survive without a job?
How will I apply and look for another job?
What will happen to my finances?
How can I explain the situation to my parents?
It was absolutely painful. And I will never wish for it to happen to ANYONE.
Months have passed and I’m proud to report that I have moved on from the heartbreaking experience well. This month even marks my first anniversary at my new job. A-MAZ-ING!
It will all make sense one day.
It might not be today, it might not be next week, it might not be next month, but ONE DAY IT WILL CERTAINLY MAKE SENSE.
It’s great that you get to spend your time as your son grows, which is (as you said) priceless.
Same here. I lost my job, used up all my emergency fund and no income coming in my bank. But now I am back on track and start building the funds that I have used and start saving for my daughters future.