Bummed out...literally
 

I just lost my job. :eek: I guess the L3 thing didn't work out too well for me. They do use inhouse I.T., but they wanted to bring them in from somewhere else instead of using those already here.

This is a really bad time to lose my job....not that there's ever a good time.

My boss was nearly in tears. She told me she'll write me any letter of recommendation I want, and that I did great work over the last 2 years, and she was sorry to see me go. She's going to pay me for the rest of this week and next week so I can hopefully find some work before that. She said she couldn't tell me in advance because my security level, and network access was so high, they couldn't take a chance that I'd get disgruntled and screw everything up. They just asked for my keys, my badge, and told me to clean up my desk and go.

So I'm bummed and I'm a bum....and least until I can find some work.

This sucks. :(

Sorry to hear that, Radar. :(

Have her prepare a letter of recommendation immediately. Best to get it now while she's in the mood to go to bat for you. Two weeks from now, she won't be as passionate about it. Assuming she still works there and you can find her.

THAT SUCKS! I'm so sorry, Radar. I'm sure there's something even better out there waiting for you, so don't mope...go find it, hunt it down and kill it!

:( That sucks, Radar. I hope you find something good soon.

It was originally a 2 month contract, but they liked me so much they kept me for 2 years. I just wish I had saved enough money to get the hot dog cart. Then I wouldn't be worried at all.

Not good news. All the best in finding another job.

Dammit, another cellarite gets the employment shaft... :( Sorry to hear about it, Radar. I'm sure you'll land on your feet soon.

I am NOT, reapeat NOT, playing Pollyanna here but I do want to say (and I've lost a few jobs myself; and nearly committed professional suicide to boot) that change is almost ALWAYS a good thing and something BETTER will come of it. Po Bronson wrote a great book for times like you are going through, Radar. I believe it's WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH MY LIFE? and it is full of inspiring stories about people who were really, really down and out. It helped me tremendously. You are still the fabulous employee they meant to keep for two months and kept for two YEARS, so remember that. And all the best luck your way.

They probably weren't paying you enough anyway. I bet you'll find something better.
Good luck Radar.

Sorry man. I hope something interesting shows up for you.

Sorry to hear about this Radar .
Your in Vegas , right ??
Go see if any of the casinos are hireing , they have THE most up to date IT , network and security equipment that money can buy !!!
Just a thought .

Radar, don't forget Sydney (or Melbourne).

Thanks guys. I hope you're right and this turns out to be for the best. It's just that now I have to seek out another job in the I.T. field which I'm trying to get out of. I am trying to get a job in a field I'm ultimately trying to escape from. I just want to open up my hot dog cart. I live in L.A. not Vegas. I grew up in Vegas. The casinos mainly use mainframes, and I'm mostly a distributed computer man. (LANS, WANS, MANS, etc)

Australia sounds great, and while I would love to go there at least until Bush is gone, but that would be even more expensive and difficult. I think it's cheaper to live in Australia, but it's expensive to get there, and find a place to live and work. Even if I had that kind of money, the immigration laws down under are very strict.

I think the initial shock is starting to wear off. It was like I was dreaming, and now the reality that I'm unemployed is smacking me in the face. :(

Good luck, Radar. I agree with Beestie that you need that recommendation ASAP. Also, make sure to tell any friends in the industry that you are in the market for a new job. A lot of hiring is still done through personal networking and referrals, so letting them know you are available is important.

From the corner of Florida, I'll send some good luck out your way.

By "LAN/WAN" stuff, does that mean routers and networking?

Yes, it means I do all types of networking. I work with all protocols, routers, hubs switches, servers, workstations, laptops, operating systems (linux, Windows 2003/XP/2k/NT/98/95/WFW, Mac OS, Novell), wiring, software, email servers (Lotus Notes, Exchange, ccMail, Sendmail), web servers (IIS, Apache, .Net), application servers, network attached storage, fiber channel, security, proxy servers, dial-up equipment, VPN's, database servers (SQL, MySQL, Oracle, etc.), license servers, backups, imaging, pushing software, desktop support, etc.

I'm excellent at troubleshooting/problem solving, planning, and I'm a very hands on tech. I can build one machine, a local area network for a law firm, or an international fiber-optic wide area network for a multi-national corporation with a heterogenous environment at every location. I can logon to a computer in Los Angeles, open a file in Paris, and print to a printer in Tokyo.

sorry to hear it... bad timing! things I'll pick up (they usually do, it might just take a while), and on a side note... how much is a hot dog cart?

( I would assume they aren't too cheap.)

The one I want with all the bells and whistles will be $4,000 - $5,000.

http://www.qualitystreetcarts.com/goldmodel.htm

You have quite a varied background, Radar. I don't think you'll have too much trouble finding anything.

Did you have any certs? (specifically Cisco)

Bummer. :(
Inauguration's over....Slang's working....you're not. What? You thought GW doesn't read the Cellar?

I have a lot of Microsoft Certs, but haven't updated to the 2000/2003 track because I wanted to get out of the business and because I'm tired of giving them several thousand dollars every 2-3 years. I know the new products very well and didn't want to spend the time and money to get the updates. Also because if I do stay in the business I was considering going the Cisco route. (lol @ Cisco route) I don't have any Cisco certs, but I know how to setup their stuff.

If you're not able to find anything right away and end up having free time, I found Brainbench to be quite helpful. A lot of places, including local Universities, now recognize the tests and certifications from them. Its not a bad way to get some good marks to show off on the resume.

"I'm excellent at troubleshooting/problem solving, planning, and I'm a very hands on tech. I can build one machine, a local area network for a law firm, or an international fiber-optic wide area network for a multi-national corporation with a heterogenous environment at every location. I can logon to a computer in Los Angeles, open a file in Paris, and print to a printer in Tokyo"

Why do you need a cart?

slick cart, although if you were going with tarantino idea you oughta paint it flat black :)

anyway! I was poking about the web, and ran into this site
http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CA..._USER_DYN.show

it list all the government grant/loan programs, and from what I understand it's not too hard to get a small business loan.. for 10k you get a van (to store your computer fixin' gear ~obviously I'm not a real techie :) ~ and to haul your cart, do the dogs from 10-5pm and then when most people are home you do computer housecalls (or for businesses, also it would be a great way to network.. or so it seems to me).

I dunno good luck again

I'm tired of that business. I'm tired of spending thousands every couple of years to re-learn my job. I'm tired of working my ass off to fix computer networks just to find out I've done such a good job they don't need me anymore. I'm sick of the politics, pettiness, etc. I'm sick of being told I'm "overqualified" and then see someone with half my skills get the job. I just want to make a decent living, be my own boss, not have to spend thousands to re-learn my job as technology changes, and earn mostly unreported cash.

Hey that link to grant/loans, etc. doesn't work.

keep your chin up brother! you'll bounce back!

This may be the time to jump into entrepenurialship...get a starter cart and pack of dogs. Could you get a small business startup loan?

I'd love to get started but banks don't like to give startup cash. They like to give expansion money, but not startup money. I can see me at the bank now..."Hello Mr. Loan officer. I'd like a loan but I don't have a job or anything, but I'd like money to buy a hot dog cart and I promise I'll pay you back later. I'd gladly pay you tuesday for a hotdog cart today..."

Well there's a big Presidential helocopter contract being awarded today. Sikorsky in Taxachewsetts or Lockeed in Owego NY but I'm guessing you're not big on those places. Big hiring going on though, supposed to be 700 bodies but you know how the politicians inflate these things.

Well, you can learn something I call "business art". Basically, it's a simple rules how to start own business:). Start it from zero:)

Instead of buying the cart you can rent it. Zero risk.:)

Learn how to run your business first and create simple (for beginning:))business plan. You don't need to buy any books to stady, there are plenty of sourses in the Internet!

Try to start only with own money, and reserve some of them in case your business is not going well. Always try to minimize your expenses, be creative minimizing:).
I'm going to start my own business now. I have something to sell: I'm doing art. Business is different than just to do art, oh. I' like a few persons at the same time: marketing research, designer, assembler, accountant ...everybody.So far I spent just $100 to start. I need just $150 more before I'm coming out with the product to sell. $250 isn't a big loss in case I made mistake.

Also, I desided to look for part time job after I finally make a few of my own designes of jewelry (hopefully, bestsellers:)
You can look for part-time job for now.

After you "tasted" own business it's hard to work for somebody else.:(

P.S. I was fired last week due to overqualification. F*ck them! :D

Your Tax dollars at work!
Check to see if you have a community based org that helps small business start up. I know there are some here in MN. or the small business admin. I bet you'll definitely find some classes and networking. You may even find a loan or....gulp...a grant.

http://www.sba.gov/financing/sbaloan/snapshot.html

Maybe the Loan Prequalification program or the Mirco loan program....

Radar, your local library probably has information on getting free government money to start a small business. Our library here has the Matthew Lesko books and five or six others. There are lots of websites on the subject, but its really frustrating sifting through all of the ones who eventually tell you to send them money for the info.

And along with all of the other folks here, I wish you good luck! The responses you're getting from everyone here is a good example of why I've read this website almost daily ever since I discovered it. Just a lot of really nice people!! :beer:

The problem is I'm morally opposed to all of these government programs. If I take that money, I'm part of the problem instead of the solution.

Thanks for looking out though. I'd be more willing to do a business loan that I pay back, than so-called "free" money. I like to earn my own way.

Ohhh....
Like I said - a lot of really nice people!

The problem is I'm morally opposed to all of these government programs.

Well, you're morally against paying the taxes that fund them, too, so why not just consider it getting back some of that money that you think is rightfully yours, eh?

Because just like Social Security, to actually fix the problem, someone--or a group of someones--is going to have to take a hit. Pay in, and not take out. Radar is volunteering for this role because he believes fixing the problem is a worthwhile goal.

Or you could chose a program that just "secures" your loan through a financial agent, so they are willing to take a risk on you. You pay it back with interest.

But youre right. It would be hard to continue your pure Libertarian rhetoric if the man helps you build your dream job.

I don't have "rhetoric" but yea, I'd be willing to pay back a loan with interest. In fact I'd pay up to 20% with my current situation. I am willing to earn my way.

You're overlooking the fact that you are always allowed to pay back that gumint money even if they don't require it. ;)

There is also the view that we need to suck as hard as we can on the teat to draw the life blood out of the State... My Dad thinks that is the Bush plan. :eek:

Good luck to you, radar. I've become suddenly unemployed (it's all part of the how I got to the nuthouse story) made a total career change, and haven't looked back since. My friends who stayed in computer-ish jobs have spent several years being unemployed.

Whatever you choose to do, I wish you success.

Dude, there are credit card companies and banks who would crawl over broken glass to give a 20% credit card/loan to a guy like you (someone who is responsible with credit). And they aren't hard to find. I don't understand the problem (what am I missing). :confused:

Especially a guy who just got permission from Quintin Tarantino's lawyer. Take that email to the bank Monday morning and you'll have a check Monday afternoon! Every day you don't have that cart is a day you are losing sales!

Entrepreneurship is not attractive to banks. I have a friend here who is unable to get a loan for his own beginning business venture. He has significant savings. He owns his home. He has plenty of collateral. His business plan is sound.

Why isn't he getting the loan?

He doesn't have a current paycheck.

I can top that one...

I owned a gaming store back in '94 and I was needing a small, $40,000, loan to do a move and expansion. I had been open for a year, was almost operating in the black already and, here's the kicker, $16,000 in gold as collateral. They said they weren't sure of the store's long term viability and that they didn't want to have to worry about converting the gold to cash should I default...

He has one for the next week or two. He's not obligated to disclose what's about to happen.

Unfortunately in this case, the loan officer at the bank is a person friend of said friend, and therefore knows that they "current" paycheck is also the "last" paycheck. You'd think that the loan officer knowing he is sturdy, reliable, and able to deliver on his plan would carry some weight in the decisionmaking process, and while it would have 30 or more years ago, now amounts to precisely nothing when the computer goes over his application.

Woo Hoo! I got a job. I start tomorrow morning sight unseen. I'll still be working as a contractor for the same company but at a different location. It will be at a medical supply company near LAX. I even get a $2/hr raise.

*whew*

I'm going to have to knock their socks off though. My recruiter told them if they aren't happy with my work after the first week they can cancel the contract and they don't even have to pay.

That was damn fast! Congratulations.

Altogether now...

Congrats!

Great news, Radar! Congrats! :beer:

Cool. While you are at the Med Supply Co find out if they have something addictive that can be injected into hot dogs. :biggrin:

Hmmm... caffeinated hot dogs...

i'll take a morphine dog, with a side of percocet.

I'm right up there with the lining-up-of-credit advice... But in the menatime, congratulations!!