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I Was Laid Off 6 Months Ago — Here’s What I’ve Learned
While I don’t thank my employer, I do see the good in the bad.
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Twenty years ago, I started work at a startup software company as the 19th employee. At that size you still have a name, and you can just chat with the leadership.
Eighteen years ago, that startup was acquired by one of the biggest names in the technology world, a name you’ve probably said today. I spent 6 years at that company, I had a name, as did my immediate peers, but I only ever saw the leadership on a screen at ‘company-wide’ meetings.
Twelve years ago, my division, my software, was sold to a different technology company that you’ve never heard of. While still huge, I was able to see my new leadership from across a crowd of people. Still inaccessible.
Six months ago, in a “Zoom” meeting less than 5 minutes long, I was let go as my position was eliminated. (They have since re-filled that position, suggesting that it was either a mistake or I was too expensive.)
I learned a lot while I was there, things that became irrelevant with the advance of technology. Things that were negated by the whim of the Chief Executives or decision to change direction.
