Hi Everyone,

I had a lunch date with a great girlfriend of mine and as we sat in the Chineese restaurant, my future starting taking shape.

You all are aware of the obvious issues with the economy. My company is a start up that has been doing reasonably well, but is now starting the death decline. Most people feel that this place can stay afloat for about 6 more moths before the layoffs start.

Some of you are aware that I have been going to night school for forever....I am close to finishing my degree, but Night school does take it's toll on a preson'e life.

Well, in talking with this friend, we both realized that I am in a very unique position because I am the ONLY female in the Engineering group. We also realize that I have been receiving less and less work and it has been assigned to the males that are LESS qualified than I. (This explains why I have so much time to post during the day.) The company seems to be in an awkward place because laying me off would not look good to the shareholders, but utilizing me to my potential also seems to not be an option. (Are they trying to GET me to quit?)

So, I have decided to proposition my boss and his boss and let them know that I would be willing to leave if they could provide me with a decent settlement. It would have to be presented in the right manner, but I think at this point, the reduction of staff would be a welcome thing.

My thoughts on this are that I would be free to FINISH my degree THIS semester, and still receive the income that I need to support myself and the boys. I currently DO NOT receive any support from either child's father, and would like to continue to do so if this is possible.

I'm basically looking for feedback from everyone because you all seem to have such great advice. I'm hoping that you all pick me apart and give me things to consider that I haven't.

For the first time in over two years, I am REALLY excited about my life again.

Thanks.

Hi Kily,

Sounds like a GREAT opportunity for you! Getting your degree is a great step and it should open up some more doors for you later on...

Good luck!
RIF90

kily, Some things to consider and some random thoughts:

1. Insurance coverage.

2. Do you have $$ saved for that rainy day(car repairs/medical emergency...) that may occur while your are between jobs?

3. How much time is saved in earning your degree.

4. What's the job market look like for your area?
Historically, EEs have had it pretty good.

I'm guessing that you don't have much time to decide because school starts up soon.

Night class wears on you. I had two years of it and I think it contributed to the lackluster state of affairs(no pun) I am in now.

It's good that you are plotting a course. Way to go!! I think I will work on my resume tonight!!

Hi Luki,

Good Questions -

1. Insurance would be a problem. For my kids ENTIRE lives, I have carried BOTH of them on MY policy. I know that I can get health insurance through their schools, and if NOT that route, our state has a pretty good program for kids without health insurance. I also have an option of picking up COBRA for a few months. I haven't looked into the #'s. I will do that research this evening.

2. I have about $7G tucked away that I can turn to IF I ABSOLUTELY have no other alternative. I prefer to leave it alone if I can, but it is there.

3. I completed my ASEE and I'm halfway done with the BSEE. I can get it done this semester BUT I have to committ by the 15th. I'[ve already completed the senior project requirements so there are VERY FEW intensive things left.

4. Believe it or not, the job market really stinks here for Engineering. This industry seems to be the hardest hit. Connecticut

Yes timing is an issue, and the job dissatisfaction is something that also contributed to my unhappiness whilein the "R". I was torn between working, going to school three nights a week, being a mom, helping with the household, etc. I guess I finally stretched myself too thin and someting snapped.

I'm looking at this as an opportunity to complete something that means a great deal to me (and to XBF) and have the flexibility to be a full time MOM without the added demands of work.

XBF is actually pi$$ed off that I have stagnated in schooling. For some reason it is a BIG LB for him that I have considered giving school up.

Thanks for the feedback. I will consider the points.

If you run the numbers and it looks like it will work, do it.
It looks like you already know your current job is ending, so you might as well go for it.

Take your life back.
SS

<small>[ January 08, 2003, 02:15 PM: Message edited by: still seeking ]</small>

Dear Kily

At my last "real" job when I was employed (I left in January 1998), I actually wrote a redundancy paper for myself. I was deeply demoralised, had just completed my Masters, was told that I'd have the same old job and the President of the Association showed me a complete and utter lack of respect - my CE said if it were a man, the way she had spoken to me would be tantamount to sexual harrassment.

So, I had nothing else to go onto and didn't really know what to do, but for me it was the best thing that could have happened professionally. I got my Masters and after travelling for 8 months came back and started life being self employed (4 years in May). It's had it's ups and downs, but generally ups.

I think the questions that Luki asked were pretty key, and also SS, but if you have the chance for redudancy, completing your studies, and coming out on top, I'd say go for it.

Good luck whatever you decide, and keep us posted. BTW, I wanted to let you know that I read your other thread, and wish I could have thought of something useful to say, but much wiser people could help out there!

Anyway wishing you well from snowy London.

Lisa

Hi Kily,

I came across your posts and wanted to pass this along. You might be able to get insurance through your school. I remember I was on my W's health plan when I started law school. When she switched jobs, there was a couple months I needed to cover so I learned about the health policy offered to students.

Since you'll be taking a full load, this might be a good option for you and your kids.

Hope this helps.

HP

Kily,

If they will give you anything at all, go for it. Most Universities have very reasonable health insurance. Also, you could join IEEE, and they have pretty good rates for most insurances. COBRA is very very expensive especially for group plans. AN individual plan is actually much less expensive.

I think that if you can do this in one semester, you should really really do it. Know telling where life will lead you, but your degree with go with you and be a huge help.

Even if you have to borrow money, or ask the fathers of your kids to help out a little, I would really seriously think about this.

God Bless,

JL

Kily

I don't have any advice, but I want to say how great it is you are nearing your degree completion.

My family is full of engineers so I know how difficult the course work is and I've been told that one almost has to be a genius to get the electrical engineering degree.

This would be tough road for a student fresh out of high school who only had to worry about getting to class and doing the work. It's really amazing that you can do this with everything you have on your plate. Sign me impressed.

Thanks to all of you for your support.

After much consideration and advice from you guys, I've decided to follow through with this.

Still Seeking - You are so right! Instead of waiting for the death call, I figured that it is better morale wise to have a plan.

Lisa - Demoralized IS an understaement. I actually work with an Engineer that gets his thrills by sneaking up on me and grabbing my a$$ when I least expect it. He even had the ball$ to do this while I was standing next to the head of Engineering! Yes, there are LAWS against this, but it has been my experience that they always find a way of getting rid of the less expendable person.....

Holding Pattern - Thanks for the input. This did cross my mind. I am looking into it today when I leave work, Thanks it was a great tip.

JL - As usual you always come through for me. I am already a junior member of IEEE! This was all part of that "PULL" that I mentioned in my last posts. I'm feeling VERY EMPOWERED by this and I believe in my heart that it is exactly what is supposed to happen. I've read that when you stop resisting that pull, doorways open that were completely closed. I think that this opportunity is an open door to a situation that was VERY bleak two days ago.

Peter03 - Thanks so much. To be honest, it HAS been quite a struggle. I'm certainly no genius. I guess for me it was pure will and commitment to the idea that I was going to do better for myself than what my family roots offered to me. It's funny to think about but when I told my mom that I was going to go to college, she was very confused and couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. Her exact words were "WHY"? Imagine that the daughter of a middle school dropout will be a Degreed Engineer very soon. Quite amusing...

I suppose I was a dissapointment because I didn't like the idea of staying home and being barefoot and pregnant! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

I'm talking to my boss tonight. I'll keep you all posted!

Thanks again.

Kily,
I'm just catching up with things here on MB after a momentously busy workweek. Wow! It sounds like you made quite a decision. How did that talk with your boss go?

I don't have much to add except for my support and also a compliment. I had no idea you were raising your boys without any child support from their fathers. Isn't there any way they can help out a little bit?

Take care, and let us know how it went, Kily.

H_P