“…Turn, and face the strange changes…”
This past Tuesday, with head spinning abruptness, I and my long time employer, Comcast, parted ways.
Rumors were rampant for a few days beforehand that Dec. 8th would be the day, and the day before our little group of programmers were warned that we might be impacted.
By the end of the day, our number had been reduced by almost 1/2, including me. Throughout our division, it is believe that headcount was reduced from approx. 7,000 to approx. 5,000. Because I was IT, and could actually do damage with a few keystrokes (hey, let’s give a different random .1% of customers free cable each month!), I was not allowed back to my desk, and after the hour long meeting with HR, I was escorted from the building. The acting director of IT packed up my personal belongings so I could pick them up at a later date, which I did yesterday.
The severance package is generous. Very much so. So I’m ok. The shock is wearing off. Bouts of depression and/or sadness have been mild and short lived. I’ve been reaching out to my fellow former co-workers so we can encourage and support each other.
I’m determined to use this time to re-assess my working life. I hope to figure out some way of combining my vocation with my avocations. I’d like for this next phase of my working life to be a joy. I believe I’m done with work being a daily grind, and I believe I have the skills and background to make this a reality.
The organism called Comcast did not mean to, but, it gave me a rather rough hewn birthday present, which I intend to carve and polish into a thing of beauty.
I’m actually feeling pretty empowered, even optimistic. I do, however, have my work cut out for me.
If you’d like an idea of what skills I bring to the table, please see my LinkedIn profile – http://www.linkedin.com/in/marlinmay
If you happen to hear of any career opportunities, I would greatly appreciate you passing them on to me.
I wish you Happy Holidays, peace, prosperity and happiness in the coming year.
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December 13th, 2009 at 10:03 am
The other day, I was able to assist my daughter’s third grade class in a math game. The 8 & 9 year-old boys I was working with had me laughing so hard that, for a while, I forgot all about my current, employment situation. I’ve been laughing more with my wife, and telling my daughter longer, better bedtime stories. Discussing my situation with yourself and other, former colleagues has been, for the most part, very positive and encouraging. I wouldn’t have had these experiences in the last week if the unfortunate incident from this past Tuesday hadn’t happened.
Regardless of what comes next, I’m going to take every opportunity and make the most of it. Whether it’s attending a seminar to help me get back on my feet, or helping my father put up his Christmas tree. If it’s getting together with you, Ron and Gerad, or going with my mother to her doctor’s appointments for her upcoming hip replacement surgery, I’m going to live in the moments as they happen and be there for whomever needs me.
You are a great friend. Though I hate to see any friend of mine go through this sort of thing, I’m thankful that I’m not alone in this and that our friendship has strengthened because of it.
Sincerely,
-Andy
“Fill your heart with love today
Don’t play the game of time
Things that happened in the past
Only happened in your Mind
Only in your Mind-Forget your Mind
And you’ll be free”
Lyrics From: Fill Your Heart
-David Bowie
March 16th, 2010 at 11:26 pm
[...] Ch, ch, ch, changes… 16 03 2010 [...]