But in listening to the news, something hit me that brought a little smile to my face. I spent 8 years in the high tech industry, specifically in sales and marketing, so when there was a down-turn in the economy, it had a huge impact on me and on more than one occasion I was even laid off (3 of the last 4 companies I worked for do not even exist anymore). Well now here I sit as an 8th grade science teacher and I have to say this brings a whole lot of comfort to me in the fact that my job is extremely secure.
Teacher always tend to bitch and moan in that they do not make enough money - heck I even organized some picketing this year on that very subject. But I would soooo rather complain in the fact that I did not get a big enough raise this year than having to figure out where my next paycheck was coming from and trying to decide which bills I would pay this month and which would have to wait until I got the nasty phone calls.Yes, been there, done that.
Oh sure, teachers do get laid off from time to time but it is not something that happens a lot. And I must say it feels good that I have a lot of "plusses" going for me that really moves me away from that pink-slip:
- 4 years seniority (maybe not a whole lot but there is a huge pool of "baby teachers" below me on the totem pole)
- Middle school teacher (and halfway through getting my masters in middle level education)
- Science teacher (I teach science because I love it - and then there is the side benefit that a lot of people do not share that love)
- Being male (yes there are benefits to being a part of a "minority" even though it is not publicly talked about)
Now since I have been through numerous layoffs I can totally feel the pain of these people who are loosing their jobs because of downsizing. But for once, I can at least sleep a little better at night not having to worry about my boss coming up to me asking that gut-wrenching question:
"You got a minute?"[Note: for anybody who has been laid off, you just got a chill to run up your spine after reading those simple four words because you remember the conversation that followed.]
2 comments:
I know what you mean. My husband is in the business world and has been out of work on more than one occasion. Having job security as a teacher helped me get through the tough times. Now I am getting ready to substitute teach in order to help make ends meet. Even in retirement, the teaching world is calling me back.