In light of recent layoffs across our community, I wanted to create a space where we can support each other, share experiences, and most importantly - connect. Whether you're currently navigating a career transition, worried about potential changes, or want to help others, this thread is for you.
Some ways you can participate:
- Share your story (if you're comfortable)
- Offer advice from your own transition experiences
- Post job opportunities you know about
- Connect with others in your industry
- Ask questions about navigating your current situation
- Share resources that have helped you
This community is built on professionals helping professionals. You're not alone in this journey, and sometimes the person who needs your experience or perspective is just one comment away.
When asking for help, be specific
When I lost my job several years ago, a wise professional told me that when I ask for help, the more specific I can be, the easier it will be for people to help me. He noted that people will likely come away from a conversation with me thinking, "Rich is a smart guy with a lot to offer." But they won't know how to help if I didn't make a specifc request, like:
If you can draft some of those requests prior to a networking conversation, you'll likely leave that conversation with a new friend and an engaged helper.
My layoff story
Happy Tuesday! This is my first MT forum post. Following Rich's recommendation, I'll bold my specific requests.
I was laid off from director role in a Fortune 500 defense company in October 2024. Literally the next business day, my neurologist called me with bad news. Four months, one neurosurgery, and one titanium mesh insert later, I'm fully back to the job search. I'm in my late 40s.
Our family's emergency fund (thanks, MT!) and my severance package can sustain a longer job search, so long as my spouse can continue to support us as a Federal employee. Given the abrupt firings of career civil servants happening in the US right now, that latter part feels less secure.
Ideally, I can transfer my engineering skills and defense industry experience into renewable energy transition, as I have some experience in electrical microgrids and energy management information systems. I'm passionate about this mission: I want every community to be energy resilient in the face of natural disasters. We've modified our home with solar panels, a battery, and a microinverter to "island" our microgrid from the main electrical grid during power outages, and I want to make that process easier for everyone.
I am applying to open roles at the National Renewable Energy Lab in Golden, CO. My network includes several employees at the lab, one of whom is advising me on my applications.
How would you recommend I execute this career pivot to my passion? Any lessons learned or cautionary tales from your own midlife career change?
Pragmatically, I am considering roles in aerospace and defense that make use of my systems engineering, business development, and technology innovation experience. My technical experience in modeling and simulation of large, complex systems is well suited to several companies in this town, including my former employer. Individual contributor roles are common, especially as an engineer. Business development / sales roles are less common. Director-level roles are vanishingly rare.
Do you recommend I apply to all roles I qualify for to mitigate our household financial uncertainty as quickly as possible, or focus on the rarer technical sales and director-level roles that would more fully use and compensate my experience?
Solidarity to those currently laid off or anticipating layoff. This is harder than I expected, and I'm grateful to have the support of friends and colleagues as I grow through it.
Thank you!
Maria Grundmann