Never would have imagined that I would go through 3 layoffs in 4 years.
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These experiences weren’t fun. They were a blessing and they set me on the path to lifestyle creation.
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The first layoff was when I worked at American Airlines. In the bankruptcy restructuring, I was offered a role lasting 18 months. As an employee, I had the right to apply for a permanent position, but I didn’t. I knew if I stayed I would probably get stuck there.
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Lucky me this role ended at the same time as the merger with US Airways. As a result of the merger restructuring, I got a package that include 6 months of pay and 2 years of flight benefits.
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This round of unemployment was like an internship in retirement. It was fun for a few weeks. Then one day I realized everyone I had to visit or hang out with was a work. It wasn’t fun anymore. There wasn’t a financial crisis because I got unemployed and moved to my dad’s house.
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I moved to North Carolina for a job in global sourcing and 3 weeks in, I got an email announcing they were being acquired. I knew my job would end soon and it did about 6 months later.
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During this round of unemployment, I finished studying for my Project Management Professional certification. It was nice not having to go to work, but it wasn’t all fun and games.
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I moved to Virginia for a job in logistics & warehousing. After working for this company for 1.5 years. The powers-to-be came to my office and told me it was my last day. They had decided to move my duties to the Netherlands and eliminated the role.
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This is when I decided to become a real estate agent.
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The experience of navigating these layoffs taught me a few things.
☑It pays to be debt free and live within your means. Each time I didn’t have a financial crisis.
☑As guaranteed as we think a job is, it isn’t. The leaders do what’s in the best of the company, not each employee.
☑Anything can happen, we need to be okay with and ready for change.
☑To lose a job or client is not the end of the world.
While this is not ideal, I wouldn’t change the experience for anything.
