Some time ago, I posted asking for career advice regarding changing companies. I'd like to thank everybody who helped me with his or her advice and ideas. Today was the last day that I worked at my current company; I have an exit interview tomorrow, and I'm done. I will start another job on Sept 17th, somewhat ironically, with the company that laid me off back in 2002. I am pretty excited about the new job because it will combine some of the aspects of the job I just finished (customer relations, working with outside engineers, troubleshooting hardware, etc.) with some of the aspects of the job that I was doing up until 2002 (understanding semiconductor manufacturing yield issues, developing electrical test algorithms, determining whether test data is believable, etc.). I have to be somewhat vague here because both of these companies are publically traded, and they tend to get upset if they suspect that insider information is being shared in a public forum.

Now, here is the irony: Many people at the company that I am leaving were begging me not to go. However, this week things changed drastically, as the company announced a 7% layoff (this was reported in the Oregonian today). My group was hit much harder than this, with 7 people holding onto their jobs and 13 being let go. Even though the layoffs don't affect me, it still has been emotionally draining to watch the group and all of the collective work that these people have done over the years imploding in the span of a few days.

Congratulations, Alfredo! Glad it worked out for you. Will you be staying in Oregon?

Andrew

Alfredo sometimes it's all in the timing. I'm a firm believer things happen for a reason, even the things that really suck like losing your job. This is where you find out what kind of person you are in the face of stress and crisis. For some this will be a good thing eventually, for others it may take more time.

Glad you have found a job you can enjoy and use your talents. May it be a long employment.

The new job is in town, so I don't have to move. Although I will no longer have the convenience of having a MAX station next to the office, it is still close enough to home that I can get there by bicycle.

I have no love for Lattice Semiconductor, as their stock was a POS for me. They willingly stole money from me and other shareholders. "F" Lattice Semiconductor!!!

Congrats Alfredo!

Congratulations, and I'll second CT's opinion. I'll be buying you a frosty celebratory beverage at out next gathering! Enjoy your 'vacation'! No annoying TSP reports for you!

EXCELLENT move, Alfredo! Nice job staying ahead of the curve!!!

Way to go Alfredo!

Sounds like you left just in time.

".....[{Alfredo's} new job] is still close enough to home that I can get there by bicycle."

Depending on where and when you work, maybe our paths may cross from time to time!

Just be on the lookout for a really tall guy on a black Mongoose mountain bike, wearing a silver and gray dirt bike helmet. That way, you'll know you've seen "the Zak".

Good luck to ya ;o)

Congratulations!
If you can, do something that you enjoy doing but can't normally do while you're working. That usually works for me.
The last job I left, I jokingly said "I'm FREE!" as I was walking out the door the last time.
Yes, work is definitely work, but it doesn't have to seem like a prison sentence.

Of course Alfredo if you ever get the inclination to go out on your own I highly recommend it. I've been "free" since 1993!!

I hope that nobody at my next place of employment is reading this: Since the new job will pay more than my old one, I do intend to put more money away towards setting myself "free." At this point, I'm not sure whether this might entail going into a business venture or going back to school.

To Vitalogy: your sentiments are exactly those of Ron Tonkin, who launched a class action shareholders' suit against the company about three years ago.

I don't mean to sound mean or blunt, but - so what? Except for taxes, nobody can tell you what you can and can't do with your money. If someone wants to spend all of it eating, drinking and being merry, then that's their decision. If someone wants to save any of it beyond what they need for basic living expenses, then that's also their decision.

All others can do is suggest, and if they take the advice or not is up to the person themself, who is ultimately responsible for the decision.

(I myself went back to school, funded partially by an amount saved up from my last job, thinking I could do better than spending all of it. Here's to not working in a call center ever again!)

Of course you are right.

However, some employers over step their bounds, up to and including taking you to court over things you own!

(I nearly had that happen once!)

The more typical response is that you are not really focused on your job, always looking to improve your own side deal.

Some caution is warranted, rights or not.