54 karma · joined May 18, 2022
It doesn't help with all the layoffs that subsequently caused people not to be able afford previous living conditions- which means having to have had to relocate far- far away from family.
A lot of former IT colleagues of mine have degraded their way of living to sleeping on friends couches or leaving the industry altogether for manageable pay.
Personally, I've always had the paranoia of getting axed for being sick 'at a bad time' for one of my previous employers. My current company seems to be mostly sympathetic, which has left me in a awkwardly distrustful/appreciative state. But with things winding down right now- I'm not sure where my future lies come the turn of the year.
Learning and research is something you(someone) has to impose on themselves as a self-discipline(like working out, eating right or some other habit). I learned this early in my adolescent years- but it was not honed or realized until university. Once I got into college, I found out that I need to push myself to do the research for things I wanted to pursue- even if it wasn't directly related- in order to achieve my end goal. In comparison, as a naive kid- I would research hitboxes, best shooter tactics and related gaming notes. Now, I open myself to anything and everything- because I realize now 20 years later, that I can easily make what I learn into something I benefit/enjoy from with enough effort and perspective insight.
Long-story-short(tldr)?
Just because you don't know something now, doesn't mean it won't be important to you later. When that day comes, the last thing on your mind will be passive interest- and moreso long-term passion. Which, in retrospect- the former is the dopamine calling you home to stay placated with who you are- rather than you want to be.
Read a book. Save a life. -Chuck
My current salary is really low for the industry- I've been willing to take paycuts so that I can provide, so I've applied to such positions. But I still get turned down.
Now I'm left with a mortgage, debt and other payments that Unemployment can't begin to cover.
I asked if I could keep my job or get relocated to another dept- 'No'.
Everything is frozen- everything is stagnate and people are afraid of more layoffs happening for both contract workers and direct-hires.
I tried for years beforehand- to get moving up, but told it wasn't possible(yet). I even tried playing the 'I have another offer elsewhere' lie card, with nothing to show for it.
What's additionally frustrating, is that many local retail places won't hire me.
My experience at the company has cut me off from other work- for fear that I may not stick around for the long-term.
DoorDash is no longer taking applications in my area(that was a shock). Retailers wont take me because of my accomplished work history. Lyft/Uber wont allow me to work for them because my car is too old.
I have applied to soo many Craiglist, HN, Dice, Linkedin, Indeed, Gov and GlassDoor jobs that I my feeling of self-worth had diminished what has felt like eons ago. It's not that I don't get decent offers- it's that I get turned down relatively quickly despite my time at Semiconductor Co.
I'm at the point where I just want any income- the desperation to feed and provide for my wife and kids is what's driving me right now.