One of the biggest reasons I am taking this layoff is that it will allow me to plan for my future. It is nearly impossible to make plans or look for a new job when you have no idea when your end date at work will be or what the future holds. We hear a different story every week about what is happening with the program, or with our benefits/severance. The uncertainty is exhausting. I'm not blaming my management for this- I think they are in the same boat. By volunteering for this layoff, I now know what is going to happen to me and when. Crazy as it seems, that feels good. Now I can start figuring out a good strategy to move forward.
Along the same lines, morale was a big push for me to self-nominate for this layoff. You can't imagine what it is like to be at work surrounded by constant doom and gloom, now with a dash of panic. It is not pretty. Once the people who are to be laid off involuntarily are notified- which will be at the end of July- I expect that it will be even worse. As far as the work goes, we are finishing up with Discovery's right OMS Pod now, and will deliver it for reinstallation this week. After that I have a few thrusters to bench test for Atlantis, which is being processed for launch on need (in case of emergency). Once that is complete, the bulk of the work we will have left in my area is decontamination of our facility for shutdown, or Transition & Retirement as NASA likes to call it. I started working on the shuttle program because I wanted to contribute to something incredible, human space exploration. I don't find decontamination and shutdown very inspirational. In fact, it is downright depressing. For many workers, it is just a job and they don't care what goal they're working towards as long as they are paid. To me, it makes a difference, and I would much rather try to find work I can feel good about again.
Other reasons for taking this layoff are more practical than emotional. Leaving early gives me a better chance of finding a new job or pursuing other options because the market won't be flooded with thousands of others doing the same. Also, it makes sense for my particular situation, because my husband Andy (@apacheman) works on the shuttle program as well. He will have work to do up until the last launch because he works at the launch pad. We figure that it will be best for us to take a phased approach rather than both being laid off at the same time. This way, hopefully I can get something figured out and can carry him once his job is complete, sometime next year.
So, that's basically it. I hope this helps you understand why I am volunteering for this layoff, and I hope you can be supportive of my choice. I don't want sympathy; I'm not feeling sorry for myself and you shouldn't either! I am looking for my next great adventure, whatever it may be. I'm working on some things, and really hope to bring one of my ideas to life. If you haven't seen my tweets about it already, Project Mercury Rising is something that I feel could be an amazing way to inspire and educate youth about space exploration. I'd really love to see it happen and I'm working on it. Also, I have created a personal website/portfolio to promote myself to anyone who may be looking for someone with my skills/talents. It can't hurt, right?
I do hope that whatever you do has a continuing direct influence on our future in space. In that regard, your ideas and plans about involving children and their education is on the money and a welcome objective.
Best to you and @apacheman may you prosper in the days ahead.
I don't know all the complexities of your environment and situation, but I think your decision-making is very sound. I was unemployed through 2009 and part of this year. Certainly the loss of income was not great, but not everything about unemployment was bad. In fact, it was really awesome on all fronts but financial.
There's a certain distance you get from not being in something everyday so you have time to heal and recover from the bad or less than awesome aspects of a job - any job. You stop "owning" it. This gives you the necessary perspective to think forward, to figure out what the next step will be. You also find more creativity, interest, and intention. With so many people unemployed now, there's hardly any stigma and a lot of people are very empathetic, actually.
If I can make one suggestion, it's to try something I did last year when i was looking for work. Look at this job and all the past ones and make statements in your method of choice (writing, etc) that describe what you liked about those jobs. "I like problem solving", "I like helping people", etc. Use this as the foundation for looking for new work. It helps you stay away from thoughts like "there's no way I could do that new job because I don't know X skill". You can always learn a skill and most times, what employers want is along the lines of "excellent at problem solving", "understands process", etc. This kind of thinking helped me target the new work I want to do and as a result I'm very focused in creating a new career path while I work in the current industry I am in. I hope this might help you, if you need it.
Working for the space program is certainly a dream of many people - I admit a dream for me as well. I'm glad you made the best of it, as well as kept enough perspective to know when it was time to shift gears.
Can't wait to see what's the next thing for you!
Best regards,
Michael
Jenny,
You find yourself in much the same position I did when on TDY at Bethpage, LEMs 18 through 20 were nowhere to be seen. I saw the handwriting on the wall. Nixon was in office and we had on overwhelming need(?) to bomb the crap out of Viet Nam, leaving no funds for our dreams of going to Mars...
I too, as do you now, know that the practicalities of putting food on the table come first.
I congratulate you on the magnificent service to our nation that you and your husband have rendered our nation, and to the dream on mankind's need for exploration and our journey, outward bound.
I am always ready to assist, through LINKEDIN or by any other means available to you.
I ask all who may read this, to assist Jennifer and her husband
Thanks
Good for you, for empowering yourself in a situation that could easily leave you feeling powerless! Of course, we will all cherish your last weeks as a shuttle technician right along with you and we all wish you the very best in your future endeavors.
It has been such a privilege tweeting with a member of NASA's shuttle program - thank you so much for sharing that with us!
While a tinge sad, I feel your decision to leave when your contributions are finished is both wise and logical. You are such an inspiring person, and I think your hopeful plan of inspiring our youth to reach for that dream of space exploration and teaching them how to get there is positively brilliant! You have my unwavering support in you endeavours & thank you for all the inspiration you have given me.
Best of luck & wishes & dreams!
Donna
Far better to be unemployed, yet inspired with your dreams and empowered by your positive memories, rather than slogging away surrounded by an atmosphere of fear and sadness until the chopper hits the block.
It will be hard for some to understand how you could make this choice, given your job represents to some the reach of their most treasured dreams - a respected and involved job in the upper echelons of the space industry. On the other hand, there are many of us through the Space Tweep Society you have founded, who have come to know you as much more than the role you have played up til now in the Shuttle program. I know you are headed for great things, and this choice marks one step along that path. All the best of luck in your next big adventure!
Certainly difficult. Admire your decision. All my best to both of you.
Jen,
Even though we haven't met, I feel like I know you from following your great updates of what's going on in the space community. It's been great to get a local perspective and I've learned a lot from you. It is sad what is happening to our space program and a bit scary about how it will affect us "locals." I'm wishing you the best of luck in the search for your new position, where I'm sure you will also "make a difference."
Take care,
Bob
It is, nonetheless, far more sensible to come to a controlled halt and step down off the cart than to hang on with your nails until the death and be left in free fall.
I think you have chosen the right path.
Jen,
Yea, I'm one of those that would give my right arm to work in the space program. But as an outsider, I don't know the direction of human spaceflight within NASA.
Based on your analysis, I think you made the right choice. Shutting things down is no fun. Your personal website/portfolio looks great and Project Mercury Rising sounds exciting.
Ralph
Jen,
Yea, I'm one of those that would give my right arm to work in the space program. But as an outsider, I don't know the direction of human spaceflight within NASA.
Based on your analysis, I think you made the right choice. Shutting things down is no fun. Your personal website/portfolio looks great and Project Mercury Rising sounds exciting.
Ralph
Well I would give my right leg since in space they are not needed anyway and if I needed one I could get a robo one with a shock in it so I could jump from really high spots and then I could still ride my bike as well, just so I could work on shuttle.
I also, think you are making a smart move by jumping off of space ship early. As it already is a huge mess out here, when the flood gates break it will be that much harder, of which I guess @apacheman will have to endure but interleaving with your husband will help you manage this change.
On planning,NASA's of human spaceflight over the past 4-5 years has left everyone inside and out of NASA in a tight spot and little to nothing is left to admire of it. I just hope they pull it out of its tail spin before OIctober and set it on a positive course.
Thanks for the update, I was wondering when you where going to post about this. Glad you made the space tweep society, it has been enlightening.. informative and fun.
If I may so bold as to say, while change is never easy it almost always yields more desirable results in the end. Sometimes it takes a while to see those results, but I'm darned sure you'll not just make lemonade out of lemons, but maybe a lemon pound cake with a side of chocolate awesome. You're clearly quite smart and have a lot going for you.
Personally, I'm excited to see what you'll be able to cook up, and of course if you ever need any help, I can commit Spacevidcast to your whim and I'm sure the Space Tweeps will jump up to assist one of their own!