I may be out of a job soon.

[ErinH]

I quit posting in OT a long time ago because I realized that not everyone cares to hear my random thoughts and, quite honestly, I spent too much time here. So, with that said, I’m back…
I work as a support contractor for NASA in Ares I Upper Stage Main Propulsion Systems Engineering. I do a wide variety of things; mainly focusing on valve requirement, and development. Been doing it for about 2 years now since graduating college. Pretty cool job, though it has it’s days.
So, you have NASA (my customer), my company (support contractors), and then you have supplier contractors such as Boeing, ATK, etc.

Not many of you guys know, but NASA has been facing a grim future for some time now. Long story short, Constellation, the program which was to support space exploration and replace Shuttle, is on the chopping block thanks to Obama (yes, directly). I’m not going to get into politics here so let’s not bother. It is what it is.

Yesterday we were told that hardware contractors were being let go. Out of 300 jobs, 90 have been vacated already. I'm being told that all 300 of those positions are to be terminated by the end of the fiscal year. To terminate these contracts, they essentially need to be bought out (ie: your Verizon plan you bailed on 6 mos early). Problem is, NASA doesn’t have the funds. That means that support contractors (ie: me) and civil servants are at risk of losing their job to make up for the money needed to buy the hardware contractors out.

So, today I heard the following:
75% of upper stage engineering… gone.
40% of first stage… gone.
60% of vehicle integration … gone.
The rumor mill is always spinning, but these numbers are consistent with what I’ve been led to believe by upper management.

That means to me that I have a 25% chance of keeping my job. This could happen anytime, literally. I can come in next Monday and find out I’m gone. I could come in 3 weeks from now and find out I’m gone. Or, I could keep my job.
With my first child on the way, I’m not going to be sedentary, so I’m looking around for options.

This sucks, though, for a number of reasons. We just built a house last year, and now I have a child due in November. Luckily my wife has a job and we owe no debt other than mortgage. I’m pretty much an optimist in life and I don’t really worry about things until they happen. Well, now it’s time to worry.

Needless to say I’ve started looking at other options, but I don’t foresee it being an easy road ahead and so many others will/are doing the same.

Regardless, I’ll figure something out. I’ll get a job at Lowe’s or Wal-Mart if I have to. Whatever I need to do to support my wife and future family (and my dogs). But, I’d just appreciate your prayers if you’re of this nature, and kind thoughts as I weather the storm. Thanks, guys. A lot of you fellas I would consider good friends. Keep my situation in mind in case I seem a bit rude in the future… stress takes its toll and it’s already having an effect on me.
Anyone hiring?


Thanks for reading my long diatribe,
Erin

 

[dem beats]

Them's the breaks right?

It doesn't make up for it when you're in that situation. I just dealt with this at my work. The past 2 years I have had this happen 2 times, and I'm in the *untouchable* health care industry!

I have to commend you though on the financial situation. Keeping your debt down is something that is lost on 85% of the population. The other 15% pay for the rest then in the end. I'm really sorry it bit you but it's great to be optimistic and that you don't have huge CC bills etc.

I'll keep you in my thoughts, and hope the best of luck. The best thing though is to keep you're optimist attitude.

 

[gmichael]

I've been through this type of deal too. It sucks when you're going through it. Sleep is hard to come by. You will make it through though. Hang in there and keep looking for more options as you have been. Good luck to you and your family. All my best wishes....

 

[its phillip]

Sucks that your current job outlook isn't so hot, but hopefully things work out for you. It's great that you've got no debt other than your house, too

 

[T2T]

Sorry to hear of this news.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

Positive vibes being sent your way, Erin!

 

[naeblis11]

Company Hiring

My company is hiring engineers. Not sure if your able to relocate, but take a look:

jointeamcaterpillar.com

 

[Davemcc]

It's a tough position to be in. I worked much of last year under the impending threat of layoff with a layoff notice in hand. This year, my wife's workplace is scheduled to close soon. The best thing you can do is submit a ton of applications and find the best work available before the axe falls. My wife was diligent in her job search while she was still working and started a new job last week.

It's hard to keep up morale while under such threats. If you can find something similar or better before you're forced out, I think you'll feel better and more secure in the new position.

 

[Jim1921]

I quit posting in OT a long time ago because I realized that not everyone cares to hear my random thoughts and, quite honestly, I spent too much time here. So, with that said, I’m back…
I work as a support contractor for NASA in Ares I Upper Stage Main Propulsion Systems Engineering. I do a wide variety of things; mainly focusing on valve requirement, and development. Been doing it for about 2 years now since graduating college. Pretty cool job, though it has it’s days.
So, you have NASA (my customer), my company (support contractors), and then you have supplier contractors such as Boeing, ATK, etc.

Not many of you guys know, but NASA has been facing a grim future for some time now. Long story short, Constellation, the program which was to support space exploration and replace Shuttle, is on the chopping block thanks to Obama (yes, directly). I’m not going to get into politics here so let’s not bother. It is what it is.

Yesterday we were told that hardware contractors were being let go. Out of 300 jobs, 90 have been vacated already. I'm being told that all 300 of those positions are to be terminated by the end of the fiscal year. To terminate these contracts, they essentially need to be bought out (ie: your Verizon plan you bailed on 6 mos early). Problem is, NASA doesn’t have the funds. That means that support contractors (ie: me) and civil servants are at risk of losing their job to make up for the money needed to buy the hardware contractors out.

So, today I heard the following:
75% of upper stage engineering… gone.
40% of first stage… gone.
60% of vehicle integration … gone.
The rumor mill is always spinning, but these numbers are consistent with what I’ve been led to believe by upper management.

That means to me that I have a 25% chance of keeping my job. This could happen anytime, literally. I can come in next Monday and find out I’m gone. I could come in 3 weeks from now and find out I’m gone. Or, I could keep my job.
With my first child on the way, I’m not going to be sedentary, so I’m looking around for options.

This sucks, though, for a number of reasons. We just built a house last year, and now I have a child due in November. Luckily my wife has a job and we owe no debt other than mortgage. I’m pretty much an optimist in life and I don’t really worry about things until they happen. Well, now it’s time to worry.

Needless to say I’ve started looking at other options, but I don’t foresee it being an easy road ahead and so many others will/are doing the same.

Regardless, I’ll figure something out. I’ll get a job at Lowe’s or Wal-Mart if I have to. Whatever I need to do to support my wife and future family (and my dogs). But, I’d just appreciate your prayers if you’re of this nature, and kind thoughts as I weather the storm. Thanks, guys. A lot of you fellas I would consider good friends. Keep my situation in mind in case I seem a bit rude in the future… stress takes its toll and it’s already having an effect on me.
Anyone hiring?


Thanks for reading my long diatribe,
Erin

Just a few things to recommend:

1. - Find out from those departing as to the severance benefits

2 - Cut all non-essential spending so that you can adjust to a potential new budget

3 - Make yourself invaluable. It is actually a good thing that you are junior. Guys that have been around for awhile make more and are often let go to save bigger dollars. Start going to work earlier and staying later. If you can do the work of two people, it is less economically viable for your employer to let you go. In fact, point this out to your supervisor.

4 - Network, Network, Network. Most jobs are filled by personal connections. Use every source you can think of.

 

[just-some-guy]

its a "sign of the times". i have been, for years, and very much still am, worried about my job. and its my income or nothing = disabled wife = no income.

btw. i love NASA.