I was laid off 5 years ago today

[undeterred]

from a really good tech job with good benefits. March 30, 2001. The tech economy took a dive and many jobs were outsourced. At the time I had no idea how bad things were.

Today I am close to being hired again in a contract to hire situation at another good job which offers great opportunity and a good salary. I have a terrific supervisor.

During the 5 years in between I've had about 10 different contract assignments, and only about 12 months with health and dental insurance. The rest of the time I have done without the health and dental care I needed and I am paying the price.

During the 5 years in between I've had about 2 years total of unemployment- including 6 months with no salary or health care or unemployment compensation. I will be paying down debts I've incurred during those months for a long time into the future.

I didn't have a house to lose and I still have a roof over my head so I guess I am one of the lucky ones. It could have been worse. It only took me 5 years to get back to a job like the one I lost, at the same salary and level I was at 5 years ago.

Its not the scenario of continuous progress I expected to make in my career and finances; its been a struggle just to keep my head above water. I do not expect to ever retire from working. Its impossible not to interpret my experience in light of what the Bush administration has done to the middle class in this country. There is no economic security for us.

[GrumpyGreg]

1. When the tech bubble burst lots of people lost jobs.

My two daughters did.

It was inevitable----the nineties were insane.

[AllieB]

2. A lot of those well-paid tech jobs were outsourced to India

I agree that the tech bubble burst, but there was also the outsourcing of those middle-class jobs that could have easily been done by Americans. The timing was devastating.

[undeterred]

3. When companies started hiring again wages were down

and foreigners were brought in on H1-B visas who would do the work for less pay. They're still here.

[AllieB]

5. I know. My sister and I both work for software companies.

I'm in finance and she's in sales. We've both been laid off. We have both had colleagues train their Indian and Eastern European replacements. These companies should be penalized somehow, but that will never happen.

[KyndCulture]

4. I was downsized 5 yrs ago tomorrow.... nt

[Canuckistanian]

6. What's your field?

Things are worse here in high tech since 2000, but they're picking up (especially here in Ottawa).

[undeterred]

7. ...

field technician was the job I lost
desktop support/ network administration is what I am doing now.

To be sure- some of the changes were redistribution of work- products got better and you didn't need as many people to support them. Lots of tough times for the programmers too.

[CTyankee]

8. I am so sorry for your situation

It is a terrible thing to have to endure. My youngest daughter is going through this now and I completely understand.

I can only hope that the people of this country will rise up for social justice. I am glad that you are with DU. You will have some support here, altho I know you have support at home.

Please know so many are thinking of you and hoping for you. Good luck to you andyour family. I don't know you but I do feel a link.

[pitohui]

9. good luck friend EOM

,

[Breeze54]

10. I hear THAT!

How come doctor's and lawyer's went crying to Congress about Visa's
for foreign born doctor's and lawyer's and engineer's and THEY GOT WHAT THEY WANTED!
They tightened up the visa's requirements restrictions to save American jobs...
at the higher end!
--------------------------
The doctor glut revisited
How much has changed in the physician workforce?
http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/2001/02_01/editorial_feb.htm
Analysis of the physician workforce in 1996 also raised concern over the prevalence of IMGs
(international medical graduates) in residency programs. Their many contributions to US
healthcare notwithstanding, IMGs added to the physician count and therefore fueled any doctor
glut, it was surmised. In 1995, about 45% of US resident physicians were IMGs, and a year later,
one in five actively practicing physicians was foreign-born and foreign-trained. Projections
were that about 75% of IMGs would eventually practice in the United States.

The Pew Health Professions Commission, one of several policy-making groups that formed
committees, developed studies, and made proposals relating to our physician workforce,
issued a report in December 1995 that caused a stir of controversy.

Of its recommendations, three were key:

* Shut down enough medical schools to trim at least 20% of first-year slots by 2005
* Limit the number of residency positions to the number of US medical school graduates plus 10%
* Tighten visa restrictions on IMGs to encourage them to return to their native lands

----------------

http://www.competeamerica.org/economy/experts/index.html
Snip-->
"the problem is, is that Congress has limited the number
of H-1B visas that can come and apply for a job…"<--Snip

----------------
Keeping Out The Wrong People
Tightened Visa Rules Are Slowing the Vital Flow of Professionals Into the U.S.
http://www.competeamerica.org/news/media_coverage/2004_10/20041004_bw.html

Maybe we should flood the USA with foreign born professionals too?
Lower everyone's wages at the same time? Even the playing field?
Seems Congress has been protecting certain "professional" jobs but flooding worker's jobs!
Is this the beginning of the slavery people have been mentioning?
:shrug:

http://www.competeamerica.org/resource/bibliography/index.html

Still reading...

Highly Educated Foreign Professionals:
Separating Myth from Reality
http://www.competeamerica.org/economy/myths_realities/index.html

[BlueStateGirl1995]

11. Ummm....

Why didn't you get another full time job in the meantime? Even Starbucks gives insurance to its part-time employees.

Why was it so important to be at the same salary? I would think that, being unemployed, you would take any job you could get if it would pay the bills.

[undeterred]

14. Wow, you really don't get it.

I have been trying to get a permanent full time job the whole time. At one point, there were waiting lists of 50 people even at convenience store jobs which have low wages and no benefits. For tech jobs there were 60-100 applicants per position, and once you are unemployed for a while you are at a competitive disadvantage. Many companies hire contract instead of permanent so they don't have to pay for benefits. Its not a matter of "taking" something until you find something better. When the economy is bad there are very few choices.

The more money you make, the faster you pay off debts.

[BlueStateGirl1995]

15. No, I DO Get It

I have never been unemployed longer than a few months. I have worked at many jobs well below my skill level just so that I could have an income. Yes, for a while it was indeed difficult, but these days there are more jobs than there are people.

I would rather work at McDonald's or as a telemarketer than be unemployed. Jobs like those are always available. I'm just saying I find it hard to believe that you couldn't find a job if you were honestly looking.

[Name removed]

16. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[BlueStateGirl1995]

18. Wow

that's so mature. I merely point out that I find some discrepancies, and you make a personal attack. Very open minded of you.

[Name removed]

19. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[OhioChick]

20. ...............

:popcorn:

[manic expression]

27. Yep,

that's right, people should pull themselves up with their bootstraps. What's that? You say you don't have any shoes? Well, you're just lazy!

:sarcasm:

Look, jobs do not grow on trees. If you knew anything about economics, you'd know that capitalist societies need qualified unemployed workers. More than that, there are many people who simply cannot find work where they live (and please, don't give me any RW crap about how they should just move, it's extremely hard to move, not to mention COSTLY). Furthermore, it is ENTIRELY possible to work for 70 hours a week and remain firmly and perpetually under the poverty line.

Please, you need to think before you call someone dishonest.

[bigwillq]

12. All the best to you.

You are a survivor. That is admirable. :hi:

[stop the bleeding]

13. Good luck to a new beginning

:headbang:

[OhioChick]

21. Good Luck to You. n/t

[manic expression]

22. To most Americans

you're just lazy. I swear, the widespread sentiment in this country that the poor and unemployed "deserve it" and are simply unwilling to do anything is beyond base and disgusting and revolting.

Sorry for the rant.

:banghead: - - :grr: - - :mad: - - :puke:

[undeterred]

23. Until you've been through it, its hard to understand

I was continuously employed for the 21 years before 5 years ago. I have skills and an education. So, I know its not me. Its really rough out there, even for those of us who know how to reinvent ourselves.

[manic expression]

26. Yes,

but there's nothing stopping people from having a little bit of perspective on the conditions many are faced with. Instead, they label the impoverished and unemployed as "lazy" and "undeserving" from their cushy white-collar offices before going on a vacation to Cancun to snorkel and be waited on by extremely poor people (sorry for the ranting). As with the experience you shared, people who are competent, hard-working and experienced will still end up without an income for a long time. I can't even imagine how it must be for the poorest of this country (not to mention racial barriers).

The most shocking part is that many people can work 70 hours a week and still not be able to make rent, much less earn enough for food, clothing, heat and other necessities.

[insane_cratic_gal]

24. Same here! not as long as you though

They keep throwing contract work at me, the problem is it's only 1 week or 2 days sort of stuff. I've done the 6 month contract stuff too.

Every time I have to call for tech support (always as a last resort!! before i research the hell out of it first) It's always a BIG slap in the face to see how little knowledge a Dell tech has in India! It's laughable to say "award winning" tech support, when there isn't a single award for the customers and only aggravation!. Dell hasn't had award winning tech support since it shipped it to India in the late 90's.


I've given up on the tech industry ever recovering and since moved on to other things.

[undeterred]

25. Dell: The American Company

Sigh. Their products are good but they are hardly an American company.

[area51]

28. job

I'm glad things are looking up for you. :toast: