OT: Career advice Part II

[smoneil]

Hey guys. I am reaching out here on behalf of a good friend of mine. He’s in creative work, marketing, creative direction, etc.

He was recently let go from his job with basically no notice shortly after having a great performance review and being promised a promotion. Dude is reeling from this and worried as we are getting a little older (mid 40s) and opportunities don’t seem to be abound.

Does anyone here have any leads?

Creative/humanities minded fields are depressingly bad right now. I'm in education/academia, but left my tenure-track job last summer because I absolutely hated where I was living (rural Arkansas), and the university was run like crap. My plan was to move back to Rochester and teach a few adjunct courses while pivoting into the communications/marketing/social media management area (I had built a bit of a portfolio in that area, as I had been responsible for doing those things for the college of arts and humanities at my old job). I sent out a ton of feelers. Did information interviews. Applied to dozens of jobs. Not even a preliminary interview. In one of the information interviews, the guy confessed that marketing is sort of collapsing right now. Companies are outsourcing all things creative to AI, and just churning through new marketing grads (hiring a couple of kids right out of college and then discarding them after a couple of years).

I'm in a bit of a pickle myself right now. I applied lightly on the academic job market to cover my bases, and ended up getting another tenure track job. This one is somewhat (not much) better in terms of location, but it's still in the middle of nowhere West Virginia. The plus side is that the school seems MUCH better run than my old one, and the colleagues and students all seemed great. My plan is to spend all breaks back in Rochester, and possibly supplement my income/get more options by getting a realtors' license.

TL/DR: As a fellow mid-40s humanities field person, I feel for your friend and wish that I had some suggestions.

 

[JCProdigy]

Yeah, in reality, 10k difference isn't that huge, especially when looking paycheck to paycheck, and that's what I've been telling myself to feel better.

The way at look at it Will: If you just stop sending Emily Kaplan the two dozen roses every week then you should recoup most of that money.

But seriously, congrats on being employed again so soon. Sorry to hear the hit in salary but it's funny how simple amendments to one's lifestyle can make up the difference without feeling much of the pain. Way back when, I took a calculated risk and changed career fields while taking a big hit in salary so I know how it feels. Except for maybe the pride element, it ended up being less detrimental than I thought at the time.

Also never a bad idea to continue to casually put your CV out there for open positions while you're employed. Hey in a couple months, you could get a hit on an opening with better salary/benis. One good thing about modern job hunting is the ability to apply so easily/fast.

 

[Takeahnase]

Creative/humanities minded fields are depressingly bad right now. I'm in education/academia, but left my tenure-track job last summer because I absolutely hated where I was living (rural Arkansas), and the university was run like crap. My plan was to move back to Rochester and teach a few adjunct courses while pivoting into the communications/marketing/social media management area (I had built a bit of a portfolio in that area, as I had been responsible for doing those things for the college of arts and humanities at my old job). I sent out a ton of feelers. Did information interviews. Applied to dozens of jobs. Not even a preliminary interview. In one of the information interviews, the guy confessed that marketing is sort of collapsing right now. Companies are outsourcing all things creative to AI, and just churning through new marketing grads (hiring a couple of kids right out of college and then discarding them after a couple of years).

I'm in a bit of a pickle myself right now. I applied lightly on the academic job market to cover my bases, and ended up getting another tenure track job. This one is somewhat (not much) better in terms of location, but it's still in the middle of nowhere West Virginia. The plus side is that the school seems MUCH better run than my old one, and the colleagues and students all seemed great. My plan is to spend all breaks back in Rochester, and possibly supplement my income/get more options by getting a realtors' license.

TL/DR: As a fellow mid-40s humanities field person, I feel for your friend and wish that I had some suggestions.

West Virginia has a lot of natural beauty. It also still has a large amount of rural poverty but I have always enjoyed my time in that state.

 

[Synergy27]

Creative/humanities minded fields are depressingly bad right now. I'm in education/academia, but left my tenure-track job last summer because I absolutely hated where I was living (rural Arkansas), and the university was run like crap. My plan was to move back to Rochester and teach a few adjunct courses while pivoting into the communications/marketing/social media management area (I had built a bit of a portfolio in that area, as I had been responsible for doing those things for the college of arts and humanities at my old job). I sent out a ton of feelers. Did information interviews. Applied to dozens of jobs. Not even a preliminary interview. In one of the information interviews, the guy confessed that marketing is sort of collapsing right now. Companies are outsourcing all things creative to AI, and just churning through new marketing grads (hiring a couple of kids right out of college and then discarding them after a couple of years).

I'm in a bit of a pickle myself right now. I applied lightly on the academic job market to cover my bases, and ended up getting another tenure track job. This one is somewhat (not much) better in terms of location, but it's still in the middle of nowhere West Virginia. The plus side is that the school seems MUCH better run than my old one, and the colleagues and students all seemed great. My plan is to spend all breaks back in Rochester, and possibly supplement my income/get more options by getting a realtors' license.

TL/DR: As a fellow mid-40s humanities field person, I feel for your friend and wish that I had some suggestions.

Appreciate this. He ended up finding a job. It’s a step back in pay and not exciting in any way but it pays his rent. I am concerned for his future.

 

[will1066]

The way at look at it Will: If you just stop sending Emily Kaplan the two dozen roses every week then you should recoup most of that money.

But seriously, congrats on being employed again so soon. Sorry to hear the hit in salary but it's funny how simple amendments to one's lifestyle can make up the difference without feeling much of the pain. Way back when, I took a calculated risk and changed career fields while taking a big hit in salary so I know how it feels. Except for maybe the pride element, it ended up being less detrimental than I thought at the time.

Also never a bad idea to continue to casually put your CV out there for open positions while you're employed. Hey in a couple months, you could get a hit on an opening with better salary/benis. One good thing about modern job hunting is the ability to apply so easily/fast.

Haha, Emily will understand. She's a very considerate Puritan who lives simply.

But thanks. I definitely feel fortunate to be able to bounce back quickly and be financially solid where the salary difference won't make much of a negative impact, fingers crossed. I did tell the new place that I put the chance for growth as much a priority as salary.

The last time I was laid off was almost a decade ago, so I got a taste of modern job hunting. It's easier in some ways but also harder too. And it feels like there's even more people competing for jobs nowadays. And with freezes happening everywhere. I am very lucky.

 

[will1066]

Creative/humanities minded fields are depressingly bad right now. I'm in education/academia, but left my tenure-track job last summer because I absolutely hated where I was living (rural Arkansas), and the university was run like crap. My plan was to move back to Rochester and teach a few adjunct courses while pivoting into the communications/marketing/social media management area (I had built a bit of a portfolio in that area, as I had been responsible for doing those things for the college of arts and humanities at my old job). I sent out a ton of feelers. Did information interviews. Applied to dozens of jobs. Not even a preliminary interview. In one of the information interviews, the guy confessed that marketing is sort of collapsing right now. Companies are outsourcing all things creative to AI, and just churning through new marketing grads (hiring a couple of kids right out of college and then discarding them after a couple of years).

I'm in a bit of a pickle myself right now. I applied lightly on the academic job market to cover my bases, and ended up getting another tenure track job. This one is somewhat (not much) better in terms of location, but it's still in the middle of nowhere West Virginia. The plus side is that the school seems MUCH better run than my old one, and the colleagues and students all seemed great. My plan is to spend all breaks back in Rochester, and possibly supplement my income/get more options by getting a realtors' license.

TL/DR: As a fellow mid-40s humanities field person, I feel for your friend and wish that I had some suggestions.

It's really rough in marcomms (marketing and communications), especially for visual designers and creative professional. Like you said, companies think AI can do it, along with DIY platforms like Canva. I've got ex-teammates in those areas who are still job hunting.

 

[Takeahnase]

It's really rough in marcomms (marketing and communications), especially for visual designers and creative professional. Like you said, companies think AI can do it, along with DIY platforms like Canva. I've got ex-teammates in those areas who are still job hunting.

I mean if the young marketing graduates are all like the Jaguar ad agency goofs, then companies should be having AI do it.

 

[will1066]

I mean if the young marketing graduates are all like the Jaguar ad agency goofs, then companies should be having AI do it.

Yeah that was bad

 

[will1066]

I mean if the young marketing graduates are all like the Jaguar ad agency goofs, then companies should be having AI do it.

Here's an example of what happens when you let AI do the work:

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[NCRanger]

So, three weeks ago I got let go from my contract. No idea why. My recruiter has no idea why. The account manager has no idea why. There was nothing said to anyone. I mean, I thought I was doing a good job. I was pretty much constantly busy. The place was chaotic, and there was little communication, as well as no real direction. Not a place anyone could thrive, but it was good money. Thing is nobody gives any feedback on anything anymore. The interesting thing is that my recruiter said that this is becoming more and more common; people getting brought on and then let go with no explanation.

I have maybe 15-20 years of work life left. I'm tired of this. I don't know if this is a Charlotte thing, or a national thing, but something needs to change.

Honestly, at this point in my life, I'd be perfectly fine with less compensation within reason, working for someone/an organization who appreciates me for what I offer them.

Would hate to do it to my daughter as she has only two years left until graduation, but a complete relocation sounds like a plan at this point. She tells me she hates her school and has few good friends. She's also been treated like garbage by the school, so who knows.

 

[NickyFotiu]

So, three weeks ago I got let go from my contract. No idea why. My recruiter has no idea why. The account manager has no idea why. There was nothing said to anyone. I mean, I thought I was doing a good job. I was pretty much constantly busy. The place was chaotic, and there was little communication, as well as no real direction. Not a place anyone could thrive, but it was good money. Thing is nobody gives any feedback on anything anymore. The interesting thing is that my recruiter said that this is becoming more and more common; people getting brought on and then let go with no explanation.

I have maybe 15-20 years of work life left. I'm tired of this. I don't know if this is a Charlotte thing, or a national thing, but something needs to change.

Honestly, at this point in my life, I'd be perfectly fine with less compensation within reason, working for someone/an organization who appreciates me for what I offer them.

Would hate to do it to my daughter as she has only two years left until graduation, but a complete relocation sounds like a plan at this point. She tells me she hates her school and has few good friends. She's also been treated like garbage by the school, so who knows.

Definitely sorry about your situation. Hope you find something that is a nice change for you. What kind of work do you do? Do you have another area in mind?

 

[Crease]

I made partner at my law firm.

 

[NCRanger]

Definitely sorry about your situation. Hope you find something that is a nice change for you. What kind of work do you do? Do you have another area in mind?

I have 27 years experience as a IT Business Analyst, Data Analyst, QA Tester, Project Coordination, Project Management - both Waterfall and Agile, and SCRUM. Unfortunately, I've been pigeonholed as having work in banking.

As for other areas - smaller cities with less uncontrolled growth. These places like Charlotte and Raleigh become absolutely awful and overly competitive and make New Yorkers/New Jerseyans look Minnesota nice.

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky
Knoxville, TN
The Beach, NC

Honestly, things are extremely expensive down here - I MIGHT even consider moving back up to the NYC area if and only if, the package was worth it. The only real difference now are property taxes.

 

[Mandar]

I have 27 years experience as a IT Business Analyst, Data Analyst, QA Tester, Project Coordination, Project Management - both Waterfall and Agile, and SCRUM. Unfortunately, I've been pigeonholed as having work in banking.

As for other areas - smaller cities with less uncontrolled growth. These places like Charlotte and Raleigh become absolutely awful and overly competitive and make New Yorkers/New Jerseyans look Minnesota nice.

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky
Knoxville, TN
The Beach, NC

Honestly, things are extremely expensive down here - I MIGHT even consider moving back up to the NYC area if and only if, the package was worth it. The only real difference now are property taxes.

do you live in Mecklenburgh County? I'm in Union County, and its much less expensive.

 

[NCRanger]

do you live in Mecklenburgh County? I'm in Union County, and its much less expensive.

Unfortunately, I'm in Mecklenburg. Even in Union, I'd still be facing the same job crap, and would be dealing with a hellish commute.

 

[LokiDog]

I start a role Monday that I like significantly more than my previous role. Still in sales, but much more relatable and personal and without cold calling. Very solid base guaranteed for 4-6 months and then commission should take over entirely and the earning potential is probably the best I’ve had. Much shorter commute than prior as well. Nearly there. I felt I lost my last job for a reason; it was paying well but crushing my soul. Luckily it took 20 days from being notified I was let go tik getting an offer letter. I have $2200 in the bank and $2900 in expenses between today and June 1st. Gonna get quite tight there before the first paycheck hits, but we will survive. Looking to see if I can pick up an odd job around town this weekend helping with some labor or farm work. Things have continually been moving forward this year positively, despite the minor set back with the last job. But I saw it as a divine interventional pivot to keep me from losing my mind. Ironically while at that job I was drinking 5-7 days a week and aside from the first few days after being laid off, I’ve only drank on the weekend exclusively. That job really was draining the life out of me but I wouldn’t have left with the income being very solid and the baby on the way. I’m thankful fate intervened because I feel much lighter going into this new opportunity.

 

[NickyFotiu]

I have 27 years experience as a IT Business Analyst, Data Analyst, QA Tester, Project Coordination, Project Management - both Waterfall and Agile, and SCRUM. Unfortunately, I've been pigeonholed as having work in banking.

As for other areas - smaller cities with less uncontrolled growth. These places like Charlotte and Raleigh become absolutely awful and overly competitive and make New Yorkers/New Jerseyans look Minnesota nice.

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky
Knoxville, TN
The Beach, NC

Honestly, things are extremely expensive down here - I MIGHT even consider moving back up to the NYC area if and only if, the package was worth it. The only real difference now are property taxes.

I know NC became very popular. I have a relative that lives in the mountains. It has some pretty scenery.
Sounds like you have a lot of experience. Do you have something else you might like outside of banking related IT? Now you have an excuse to switch if you want a change. Keep us informed. I hope you find something that fits you. Work is work (not fun) but it would be nice if you were in something that you prefer.

 

[NickyFotiu]

I start a role Monday that I like significantly more than my previous role. Still in sales, but much more relatable and personal and without cold calling. Very solid base guaranteed for 4-6 months and then commission should take over entirely and the earning potential is probably the best I’ve had. Much shorter commute than prior as well. Nearly there. I felt I lost my last job for a reason; it was paying well but crushing my soul. Luckily it took 20 days from being notified I was let go tik getting an offer letter. I have $2200 in the bank and $2900 in expenses between today and June 1st. Gonna get quite tight there before the first paycheck hits, but we will survive. Looking to see if I can pick up an odd job around town this weekend helping with some labor or farm work. Things have continually been moving forward this year positively, despite the minor set back with the last job. But I saw it as a divine interventional pivot to keep me from losing my mind. Ironically while at that job I was drinking 5-7 days a week and aside from the first few days after being laid off, I’ve only drank on the weekend exclusively. That job really was draining the life out of me but I wouldn’t have left with the income being very solid and the baby on the way. I’m thankful fate intervened because I feel much lighter going into this new opportunity.

That is great news! Very happy you found something so fast. I think you cutting back on the drinking is good as well. Booze costs money lol.

 

[LokiDog]

That is great news! Very happy you found something so fast. I think you cutting back on the drinking is good as well. Booze costs money lol.

Meh, yes, but I was buying $5 pints of Jim Beam and I don’t eat breakfast, lunch or buy coffees so it was offsetting

I’m a booze hound. Probably always will be. I’ve said it before, but I only do it in the evening, never get out of hand, never hungover, gym every day, healthy diet (mostly - like my wings and burgers too) and it doesn’t negatively impact my life but I know to worry about my liver and the long term effects. I don’t know why, possibly my heritage (plus just being a big guy) but it just doesn’t affect me like it does a lot of people. I think it’s partially because I don’t mix either. I drink high quality craft beers with clean ingredients or straight whiskey, no sugar, no additives, no chasers.

Either way, I even said no to the lady’s suggestion of a whiskey to celebrate the offer letter. I told her tomorrow is Friday, I’ll celebrate on the weekend. Doing good. I know it’s healthy to give my body a break.

The base for this job is actually a 6k increase over the last role, which already paid well. Granted that one had commissions coming in as well and it will probably take 45 days or so to start seeing the first of those kick in with this new role, but this should eventually be the first time I clear 6 figures fairly comfortably, at 38 year old. Just gotta navigate being short of my expenses these next 10 days and things are looking good. Thanks Nicky!

 

[NickyFotiu]

Meh, yes, but I was buying $5 pints of Jim Beam and I don’t eat breakfast, lunch or buy coffees so it was offsetting

I’m a booze hound. Probably always will be. I’ve said it before, but I only do it in the evening, never get out of hand, never hungover, gym every day, healthy diet (mostly - like my wings and burgers too) and it doesn’t negatively impact my life but I know to worry about my liver and the long term effects. I don’t know why, possibly my heritage (plus just being a big guy) but it just doesn’t affect me like it does a lot of people. I think it’s partially because I don’t mix either. I drink high quality craft beers with clean ingredients or straight whiskey, no sugar, no additives, no chasers.

Either way, I even said no to the lady’s suggestion of a whiskey to celebrate the offer letter. I told her tomorrow is Friday, I’ll celebrate on the weekend. Doing good. I know it’s healthy to give my body a break.

The base for this job is actually a 6k increase over the last role, which already paid well. Granted that one had commissions coming in as well and it will probably take 45 days or so to start seeing the first of those kick in with this new role, but this should eventually be the first time I clear 6 figures fairly comfortably, at 38 year old. Just gotta navigate being short of my expenses these next 10 days and things are looking good. Thanks Nicky!

6 figures in TX is doing very well!

Can I have a loan?

 

[LokiDog]

6 figures in TX is doing very well!

Can I have a loan?

Well, we’re talking about dangling our toes off the edge of 6 figures, not making $150k haha and not until I start adding commission, but the base gets me a long way there.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Well, we’re talking about dangling our toes off the edge of 6 figures, not making $150k haha and not until I start adding commission, but the base gets me a long way there.

That is still great! You should be proud. Next thing you know you will build a nice nest egg for yourself.