[Bigdrumma22]

I just got layed off today... totally sucks. I had a fear it would happen since I worked for such a large company and business has been so slow cuz of the damn economy. For those that didn't know, which is probably most of you, I worked for a civil engineering firm as a CAD technician. Woulda been 2 years with them in october. And ironically I get layed off the same numerical day I was hired (10/23/2006 - 6/23/2008). Also... a month after I got this job... I lost my longtime girlfriend... Now I finally got a new girlfriend.... and I lose my job. What kinda crap is that?!?! Finding a job in the architecture/engineering field may prove difficult because of the economy... and my only other past time is auto parts. I could also turn wrenches if I had to and had a good teacher for stuff I don't know. In this situation, I'm lucky I still live at home. If anyone knows of anything available in my current field, let me know. Or if you just have anything else in general to suggest.

[thunderchicken]

Dam man,that really sucks.....just remeber all of this is just temporary..... Are you going to collect unemployment??

[Bigdrumma22]

Originally Posted by thunderchicken

Dam man,that really sucks.....just remeber all of this is just temporary..... Are you going to collect unemployment??

Not sure on that yet. I got severance pay today when they told me. I got a check they owed me this friday, a check for 80 hrs. prorated for the next two weeks, and a check for my converted vacation time. If you get severance, can you still apply for unemployment? I'm only 21 so I have no clue how this works.

[thunderchicken]

Originally Posted by Bigdrumma22

Not sure on that yet. I got severance pay today when they told me. I got a check they owed me this friday, a check for 80 hrs. prorated for the next two weeks, and a check for my converted vacation time. If you get severance, can you still apply for unemployment? I'm only 21 so I have no clue how this works.

What i'm understanding,is yes you can,as long as you were at your job for more than a year..Which clearly you were...Thats just what i'm understanding. Now you would'nt get you full pay,if you got accepted,but you might get a good percentage of it... They had given ne unemployment when i was at this one job,all they ask you to do is to make sure that you go and look for another job,and even that they can help you with. There are plenty of jobs here,but i guess you need to know where you look,and or what you can do,or are willing to do....or maybe you may also find somthing temporary till things get better. If you know about auto parts,maybe try looking in part time at an auto parts store. The will train you,and its very easy,and with you having the type of skills that you have it shout even be easier for....Its just a suggestion.....

[thunderchicken]

And if your going to do that,you should call as soon as possible..The faster you act,the sooner your benefits will start, There will be a wait time,as there are alot of people putting in requests for unemployment benefits aswell..... I've been through it,and it really sucks,but you got to do what you have to do. They will help you with any questions that you might have.......

[Bigdrumma22]

Originally Posted by thunderchicken

What i'm understanding,is yes you can,as long as you were at your job for more than a year..Which clearly you were...Thats just what i'm understanding. Now you would'nt get you full pay,if you got accepted,but you might get a good percentage of it... They had given ne unemployment when i was at this one job,all they ask you to do is to make sure that you go and look for another job,and even that they can help you with. There are plenty of jobs here,but i guess you need to know where you look,and or what you can do,or are willing to do....or maybe you may also find somthing temporary till things get better. If you know about auto parts,maybe try looking in part time at an auto parts store. The will train you,and its very easy,and with you having the type of skills that you have it shout even be easier for....Its just a suggestion.....

Yeah, my first instinct is to go back to what I know as soon as I can, but I do want to actually dedicate some time to looking in my field, so that I don't take a huge paycut. I worked up to where I'm at now and I don't wanna lowball myself, you know? If I can get what I'm making now or possibly even more at a smaller firm that actually does need the help, I'm all for that. Just sucks getting so comfortable with everyone and making all the friends in a large company (about 400 people) and then it's just gone like that. I mean, I'm still going to keep in touch with some, but it's a definite transition that's part of life. It's just so overwhelming when everything is going good for ya, and then something has to crash and burn.

And yes, I won't try to put it off, because I suspect it would take some time.

[stinginStang]

Sorry to hear that dude. Life has a way of sticking it's fist up your ass like Jim Henson. It's always gonna be that way for the most part. You'll bounce back and be fine. Good luck.

[thunderchicken]

Yea man thats true...You don't want to low ball yourself.It will be hard to get back to the position that you are in now. I'm very familiar with a situiation with that. I'm making pretty good money right now,but about 5 years ago i was in a situaion where i had just gone through a break up,and i was very depressed,i ended up loosing a good paying job. In 2003 i had 6 jobs that year,either because i was unhappy,or just did'nt care. So after i had taken my head out of my ass,i finally found a place that i am confortable at with great pay,good people,and bad ass bosses. It took me 5 years to get back to where i was,So there is no where to go but up. It will be possible to find a job in you profession,and do somthing temporary at the same,it might be a little difficult ,especially when you get comfortable where your at, but it will pay off in the end.......

[AdRock]

Create an account here>>>>> WorkInTexas.com Home: Helping Texans Work Better.

Fill everything out and it will start matching you to jobs and e-mail you notices everytime you match to a new one. I've had an account on there for 2 years now even though I'm working. I still see jobs I'm matched to so I can jump on something good if one pops up.

[FnSweet06]

So your pretty familiar with AutoCad?

Houston is hungry for pipe designers. There's a couple guys who have left the company i work for to go up there and there all doubleing or triple-ling there salery. Alot of them are leaving to a particular company called "Flour Daniels" and that company actually trains you how to design there pipe its like a 2wk training/schooling period then after they'll assign you to a project with a group. Im actually really tempted to go out there myself.

[Bigdrumma22]

Originally Posted by AdRock

Create an account here>>>>> WorkInTexas.com Home: Helping Texans Work Better.

Fill everything out and it will start matching you to jobs and e-mail you notices everytime you match to a new one. I've had an account on there for 2 years now even though I'm working. I still see jobs I'm matched to so I can jump on something good if one pops up.

Thanks for that link. I will definitely check it out.

Originally Posted by blkstang87

So your pretty familiar with AutoCad?

Houston is hungry for pipe designers. There's a couple guys who have left the company i work for to go up there and there all doubleing or triple-ling there salery. Alot of them are leaving to a particular company called "Flour Daniels" and that company actually trains you how to design there pipe its like a 2wk training/schooling period then after they'll assign you to a project with a group. Im actually really tempted to go out there myself.

Yes, I'm pretty good with AutoCad and a few other similar programs. That sounds interesting, but I'm not at a point in my life where I can just up and move for something like that unless it was the last option. Thanks for the idea though. I should also mention I have no degree as of this moment, but I will be finishing my Associate of Applied Science in Computer Aided Drafting and Design specialized in Architecture. I would prefer more of an engineering environment though if possible.

[Must See]

Originally Posted by blkstang87

So your pretty familiar with AutoCad?

Houston is hungry for pipe designers. There's a couple guys who have left the company i work for to go up there and there all doubleing or triple-ling there salery. Alot of them are leaving to a particular company called "Flour Daniels" and that company actually trains you how to design there pipe its like a 2wk training/schooling period then after they'll assign you to a project with a group. Im actually really tempted to go out there myself.

ahh sounds good. Guess Im headed in the right direction. Im majoring Design and Development. Which is basically drafting with CAD, MicroStation, Chief architecture etc... Ive only got two more years left until im out in the work force.

[v6m1]

Also look in to baylorhealth.edu for jobs at Baylor Hospiltal around Texas.

[03mach1ftw]

i know youre not looking to move but the austin/roundrock area is really big in the engineering field.

[SCobraVT99]

Round Rock and Dell have some big oppourtunies. I could get you a job working for me making 60k+ starting out, about 48k of that is gaurenteed.

[Bigdrumma22]

Originally Posted by SCobraVT99

Round Rock and Dell have some big oppourtunies. I could get you a job working for me making 60k+ starting out, about 48k of that is gaurenteed.

It's a lot of sales stuff right? Send me a PM with more info.

[Bigdrumma22]

SO..... so far I've gotten a few phone calls but all have been from temp agencies with contract type jobs so I turned those down because it's not what I'm looking for. Yesterday, however, I got a call from a company in town Beldon Roofing... don't know if any of you have heard of them. They're looking for a CAD guy to reproduce hand drawn roof framing plans and I guess whatever else goes with the job that I'm not familiar with. I've got an interview monday at 10am to go check out what exactly they do there and see if it might be a fit. It's the only full time position offered so far as they others were just temp/contract. We'll see how it goes...

[Mustang_68_Coup]

Beldon, several years ago, was a badddd assssss company. A Good One to work for ....

Dunno about in the past few years, but they've not gone under since I last had professional insight ....

Good luck with the interview!!!

[Bigdrumma22]

Originally Posted by Mustang_68_Coup

Beldon, several years ago, was a badddd assssss company. A Good One to work for ....

Dunno about in the past few years, but they've not gone under since I last had professional insight ....

Good luck with the interview!!!

So I guess that's a good thing??? Guy I talked to said they just hired another guy recently, but they decided they need another. Thanks for the luck!

[Bigdrumma22]

Well just an update... I had that interview with Beldon last monday and it went rather well, but I guess they just found someone better qualified because they had multiple interviews that day. I keep getting these stupid emails from insurance sales because of monster and hotjobs... only sales experience on my resume is auto parts sales... I don't see that as the same. So... I'm still looking. Not much luck in the industry that I've found so far... might have to try something new...