Where do you live? Scotia, N.Y.
What was your job title? Machinist.
In what industry? Manufacturing industrial compressors.
How old are/were most of your co-workers? There was an age range. Mid-twenties to late 50s or early 60s.
How did you find out you were losing your job? I went into work for the start of my shift and was called into a conference room by my supervisor and his superiors.
Did you have to leave immediately or did they give you a few weeks to get used to the idea? I was escorted from the building.
Tell us a little about what you did: I did the final flow cuts on impellers. I also built and balanced rotor assemblies for compressor cores.
What was your favorite part of the job? I enjoyed the people that I worked with.
What was the worst part? The hours! It was a weekend shift, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 5 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Did you like going to work? Most of the time.
Did you feel like you were making a difference? Yes. I worked hard and always completed the tasks set out for me.
What have you done since you’ve been laid off? I look for work. I try to network with as many people as I can. I am considering going back to school.
How do you spend your days? I have been catching up on some work around the house. I have been studying to take the GMAT’s, in hope to go to graduate school. I look for jobs on the internet.
Have your spending habits changed since you’ve been laid off? (Have you cut back on anything? Given up coffee?) Yes, my spending habits have changed. We no longer go out to eat. We have put off some larger purchases that we had been planning on making.
Do you have any big financial worries? (Kids in college, etc.) Thankfully, no.
Do you have a spouse who works? Yes.
How many jobs have you applied for since you’ve been laid off? Dozens.
Are they in the same part of the country or a different part? Same part.
What kind of job are you looking for next? Will it be in the same field or a different one? Why? I have been looking for scientific related jobs. I have a BS in Biology and have been looking to re-enter that field. Ideally I will go back to school and get an MBA in Healthcare.
