One of the most beautiful characteristics about America is the ability we have to fall, dust ourselves off and try again. Layoffs or firings may seem unsurmountable at first, but we’ve seen over and over again how getting laid off can often be the first step towards a significantly more fulfilling future. We’ve shared some incredible stories below.
Carolyn Coleman
I was expecting it, rumors were constant that a layoff was coming. God told me not to listen for it was not going to help. If a conversation started regarding the layoff, I walked away. The word of God tells us obedience is better than sacrifice. When other notice me walking away they inquired as to why I was not apart of the conversation, mt statement was. That can I do about it, what can you all do about it?Administration had someone to call me,. Read more>>
Ashley Owens
Overcoming my layoffs were a transformative experience for me. Growing up timid in North Jersey, I was often picked on for my stutter and shyness. Determined to change, I embraced public speaking and theater in high school, which helped me find my voice. Read more>>
Andrea Clements
In 2020, when the pandemic happened, I was working at the Jewish Community Center of Denver in a position that was a dream job for me. I was their Music and Movement Specialist in the Early Learning School and I spent my days singing and dancing with the 150 students ranging in age from 6 weeks to 6 years old. Read more>>
Jennifer Bauer
Over a period of ten years, I was laid off 6 times. Each for reasons beyond my control, leaving me feeling like the rug had been pulled out from underneath me. And each resulted in a period of time looking for the next opportunity while stressing about how I would afford to live off unemployment checks. The last time, I had only worked at that small tech startup for about 6 months before they couldn’t find the next round of investors, ran out of funding and laid off the entire staff. Thankfully by that time, I was married and we had my husband’s income to temporarily support us, but I was still pretty shaken up. Read more>>
CaTyah Pendermon
This question stood out to me the most because I just experienced a layoff back in October. At first I was disappointed and upset, questioning why I couldn’t have been one of the lucky ones to keep my position. It has only been about 5 weeks since being laid off and it has felt like forever. Read more>>
Anna Dougherty
Like so many people, I was laid off in March of 2020 when the Covid lockdown when into effect. I had been working in the fashion industry, and the company I was working for closed down our New York office. During the early stages of the pandemic, there were almost no fashion jobs to be found. After applying for more jobs than I can count within the fashion industry, I was really frustrated and discouraged. While looking for jobs, I’d made a coat that I was really happy with the outcome (I’m a fashion designer), and my mom encouraged me to try to make some more while I had the extra time. Read more>>
Renita Martin
Overcoming my CONTINUOUS layoffs actually led me to become an entrepreneur. I was tired of my livelihood being determined by others. I enrolled in school to become a licensed esthetician in 2013 and that honestly changed the trajectory of my life. This was my second career, but this time I made the decision to follow a passion of mine for myself. Read more>>
Anne McAuley Lopez
In 2010, when the Great Recession was happening and the Affordable Care Act was passed, I was working in a data-centric job related to Medicare. The powers that be weren’t sure what was happening to Medicare, and made the decision to lay off myself and 11 of my colleagues. While it was devastating at the time, I now see it as the catalyst to starting my writing career. Read more>>
