Learning my lesson

Back in December 2005, I worked as a Learning and Development Consultant for the investment arm of The Really Big Bank. I had been thinking a lot about leaving the financial world and was checking out job possibilities in other industries. I also knew that I was tired of learning and development and wanted to focus my career on communications (which I enjoyed much more). Finally, I was working in downtown Minneapolis and thought about how nice it would be to work somewhere closer to home.

In January 2006, I took a job with The Medium-Sized Healthcare Company as a Communications Consultant. I was out of banking, out of learning and development, and my office was in Bloomington - just 15 minutes from home! It was great! My job was fun, my co-workers were cool (they still are cool - I just don't see them anymore), and I was home every day before 5 pm.

Eighteen months later, The Medium-Sized Healthcare Company laid me off (department reorganization).

I get it - departments get reorganized, people get shifted around, some lose their jobs. I saw it coming because I was not the first one in my area to get the axe. I took it better than I thought I would... at least at first. Before long - after my tiny severance ran out - I realized that I did not like living on unemployment. Sure, the bills were getting paid, but I was bored and wanted to go shopping (something I really could not justify when my income was from unemployment insurance).

What did I do? I took the first job offer I got and went back into the financial world, back into L&D and to an office located all the way across the Twin Cities (a 30 mile commute one-way).

What the hell was I thinking?

To be sure, I do like working for The Really Big Bank, but did I have to get myself back into the investment area? I actually had to get my Series 7 and Series 66 licenses! That's not me - that's not what I want to do with myself. I am not the best person around to get into Sharpe ratios, margin accounts, and calls and puts.

Okay, okay... I get to shop at will. Big deal. I got myself into a job that did not suit me with the commute from hell (even when the weather is perfect).

Guess what. The Really Big Bank elimiated my position. I get it - companies merge, departments have too many employees, some lose their jobs. The big question now is: Will I learn my lesson?

Will I take the time to find a job that suits me? In communications, not L&D? In an office in the South East Metro - not the North West Metro? At least I have a larger severance package this time... that will buy me some ease (I hope).

I hope I learned something...