Mar 03 2009
Being Laid Off - The Report So Far
On February 13, I was laid off from my administrative assistant job at a small oil and gas company. Needless to say, I was a bit panicked, although I did have a number of things going for me.
During the past few weeks I have spent a lot of time reading various career related articles on MSN Career and Career Builder, etc. I have also checked in with Craigslist every few days for any new viable postings.
It took me a few days to adjust, but after registering with my local Work Force Center, I decided to go to a seminar they were having on the best way to utilize their website. I am SO glad I did, otherwise I would have never known about the Federal program WIA (Workforce Investment Act.)
The WIA was passed in 1998 and is essentially a program which helps dislocated adults (such as Huricane Katrina survivors) and other adults who are either underemployed or unemployed due to lay off. If you qualify and meet all the requirements, it will pay for you to go back to school to make yourself more marketable.
The seminar I had chosen to attend, just so happened to be a WIA requirement! Subsequently, I attended the WIA orientation session, as well as a job search seminar.
I was given a packet of materials showing what schools the program would pay for you to attend. The majority of them were technical schools with certificates in computer tech, medical assistants/techs, paralegal, truck drivers, etc.
After going through the various options, I went through a several day process of looking at my options and sharing the process in several places with various people. At first, I thought it would be a good idea for me to take advantage of the program, and get a certificate in business administration or perhaps something in the medical administration field. However, I just wasn’t very excited by those ideas.
Someone noticed that I had mentioned that being in a library could be a lot of fun. So they suggested that I might enjoy being a children’s librarian, and even gave me a link to an ALA accredited online school. It was amazing how clear it was to me that I had finally figured out the right direction. I am going back to school to get my Masters in Library Sciences with certification as a School Librarian!
So this week I am in the process of setting up a test date for my GRE as well as starting to refresh my rusty school skills. I will be contacting several children’s librarian’s for any info they can offer me, and going to three job interviews (all from Craigslist!)
Today I attended a resume writing and an interviewing skills seminar at my local Work Force Center, both of which were fantastic and well worth-while. I also stopped by my local library branch and spoke with the children’s librarian at length. She gave me the names of two school librarians who she thought would be helpful to me. I also asked her about any kind of job possibilities, such as a page or technician, and she said that they were on a hiring freeze right now, but I should keep an eye on the city website in case a position opens up.
So, for anyone who may have been laid off recently, or may be facing a lay off sometime in the future … Don’t Panic! (Yes, it is a reference to my fave movie “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Universe.”)
Seriously though, look at this time as an opportunity, and not as a stumbling block. Pick yourself up as soon as you can and start checking out all the available resources. Check out your local Work Force Center, look up networking groups in your area, see where you might have volunteer opportunities (which may also lead to a job!)
Inspiring post -
It really does boil down to attitude, doesn’t it?
Having a positive one is the only way to make it through the bumpy times!
Excellent post. I am in the same position but have not used the TWC resource center figuring that I already know that. Your attitude is amazing.
You are an inspiration to me!! I am going to look into this program this week. It has never been mentioned to me and I have been registered with the State Work Force Center for a number of years off and on due to underemployment and lay offs.
Thank you!!!
I’m so pleased that you have found a new direction and I’m sure that it’s one that you will love - I remember the comment you made on my blog about your love of libraries!
It’s great that you have such a positive attitude that has inspired others. I wish you every success with your new studies.
Best wishes,
Roz
Good luck!!!
Wow, great info!! Thanks!
That all sounds so good! Good luck with everything (though it sounds like you’ve already made your own good luck)!
Congrats on finding a new direction and taking the initiative to get yourself going where you want. Here’s a good website for checking out positions open in libraries:
http://www.libraryjobpostings.org/
A lot of library systems (if you have these groups in your state) have their own websites with job listings as well. Any job in any kind of library will give you a background in the skills you need–even if you can’t get into a children’s area right away. As a school librarian, you’ll often be the only staff member, so you’ll need to know how to do *everything*.
I worked in a public, community college, and an engineering firm library over a span of 16 years, so I’ve definitely got a lot of love for libraries and library work.
Good luck to you and I wish you all the best!
@V - Thank you! Thanks also for the link. I will have to check it out.