Got laid off. What now?

[DoGood28]

I'm 24 years old and just got laid off today from my assistant manager position at an upscale department store in Norfolk. I took the job after interning at another location last summer and graduating at Old Dominion with a bachelors as an Occupational Training Specialist (employee training and development/HR degree).

I've been there for 4 months and have gotten oodles of management experience in that short time having never held a management position before. I knew this time would come given the current state of the economy and retail and was neither surprised nor discouraged upon hearing the news that my position was eliminated from my store manager today.

I hated my erratic schedule, getting unreasonable loads of responsibilities, and undue treatment when we were unable to meet last year's sales figures.

I worked hard while always accepting responsibility for my actions and never turning down new experiences. I supervised 20 women who all hated each other and came to me for every disagreement they had during the day. I never turned anyone away and always made a point to really listen to my associates to display that I really cared (I do).

Perhaps the most frustrating thing about the whole situation was the compete lack of any organized training program. Everything I learned about employee training during my time at Old Dominion was completely contrary to this company's program. It was ALL on-the-job training and everything was left up to interpretation. It was a pretty frustating work environment.

So, what now? I've been dying to join the military since before I began college. My Mother urged me to get my college degree before making a decision and once that time came, it seemed my career was beginning to take off. I feel like I have a hole to fill inside until I serve my country and make a sacrifice for the freedom I enjoy.

I've lived with my big Brother in Norfolk for the past two years. He is a sonar tech on a sub and is less than entralled with the Navy. He warns me all the time to watch what I'm getting into if I do decide to join.

I now live with my step-Brother who is an officer in the Coast Guard. He seems to make a really good living for himself and is on a great career track. The Coast Guard appears to treat their personnel better than the Navy. In case you haven't noticed, I'm a nautical guy and would like to be aboard an ocean vessel.

To top it off, I'm not entire sure I'm officer material. I'm on the smaller side at 5'8" 145. I'm not hugely outspoken or quick thinking, two qualities that seem to be becoming of an officer.

I know I'm going to get a lot of comments in jest and that's to be expected. But I have also come to learn that there is a lot of experienced posters on ES and I've come to respect many of you. I'm going to make my own decision, but I'd like to solicit some of your opinions so that I can make a more informed choice.

Thanks in advance for your time.

[Raub]

If it's something you've wanted to do for years, then do it. Seriously. Just do your research on all the different branches and what they offer before you commit to anything. I'm working on my 15th year in the Army, so if you have any questions about that branch I'd be happy to try to get you answers. Personally, it was one of the better decisions I ever made and I wouldn't go back and change my decision. I've done things, seen things, and been places that just wouldn't have been possible if I hadn't have enlisted years ago and I wouldn't trade those experiences for anything.

[Capt Rich Fla]

As a person who puts his life on the line when I enter the sea. You are aware of the fact that you go out when we come in? When I pray to God to please get me out of this is when you will be going to work. I personally do not envy the man who has chosen to take on the ocean. I do however respect and am forever greatful of these men and women who in the face of danger come to my aid.

[twa]

You ever take the ASVAB Test?

a practice one

http://www.military.com/Recruiting/ASVAB/1,13387,,00.html

your scores will determine much

There are good opportunities as specialists even w/o becoming a officer,but **** flows downhill as the saying goes.

It is good you are looking at getting laid off as a opportunity,but military life is not w/o it's own "erratic schedule, getting unreasonable loads of responsibilities, and undue treatment";)

Make sure you get all the facts,and choose wisely.

Both my kids joined,but it is not for everyone.

[DoGood28]

I'm not too daunted by the dangerous seas. I'm know it will be hard work and that joining any branch of the military is a challenging life. But in the end, I think it would be good for both my character and confidence to go along with the gratification of serving my country. Right now, I'm just craving a job that provides competent training. Many of the training principles that I studied in college were developed by the military. I feel that the military would allow me to actually master a skill, a feeling that I have never experienced in any job I've had.

Other than that, the pay doesn't seem to be that bad. I think I would be making about as much as I was at this past job. Not to mention that the military would be providing for a lot of other expenses. The travel is another huge upside to joining the military. I think I've had my fill of Virginia.

A huge downside could be that I haven't come close to meeting a girl that I would like to spend my life with. This could mean that I would have no choice but to live on the boat or in barracks and the only girls I would meet would be the slutty girls at bars that sailors are notorious for picking up.

[DoGood28]

You ever take the ASVAB Test?

a practice one

http://www.military.com/Recruiting/ASVAB/1,13387,,00.html

your scores will determine much

There are good opportunities as specialists even w/o becoming a officer,but **** flows downhill as the saying goes.

Make sure you get all the facts,and choose wisely.

Both my kids joined,but it is not for everyone.

I'm definitely looking at getting laid off as an opportunity. I wasn't enjoying my job and I've anticipated this happening as soon as I started. The company is shrewd to begin with and once I began seeing the sales figures, I knew it was only a matter of time.

Thanks so much for the practice ASVAB test. Doing well on that will be key to being able to select a job that will not only treat me well when I'm in the service, but will also teach me a skill that I could use once my service is up. One of my fears is that my Mom paid all this money for me to get my college degree, and I'm going to join the military for 6 or more years and forget everything I've learned in school.

It is good you are looking at getting laid off as a opportunity,but military life is not w/o it's own "erratic schedule, getting unreasonable loads of responsibilities, and undue treatment";)

And LOL at my quote. I pretty much nailed the military life right there didn't I? In the end, better my country than some ungrateful department store. I need to look at the bigger picture.

Thanks for all the advice guys. I'm glad I have so many classy people around. We're all in this thing together.

[HighOnHendrix]

The same thing happened to me in May 07, except that the whole company folded. Let me just say that it's important to do your own hard research if you can before you do anything; don't go completely off what friends/family/aquaintances have to say. I moved down here to Chesapeake in July 07 thinking I would have an easy time getting a job. My wife's fam is from down this way and they all said it was cool, no worries. They neglected to tell me about the 5000 or so people who had been laid off from the Ford plant that closed up about the same time I moved here, all of them with essentially the same set of job skills as myself. It took me until the end of October to find a job; I took what I could get and I hate the place. The money is pretty decent, but the current management = :pooh:. Knowing what was in store for me during last summer wouldn't have changed my decision to move, since my wife had a position tied up ahead of time. But it would have been nice to be prepared for being unemployed for so long. Sounds like you are doing that, so good luck to you. Also keep in mind that there are plenty of jobs that work closely with the military; you don't necessarily need to join up to help your country. The place I work for now sends lots of foodstuffs to the military installations in this area, especially Navy and I'm proud to be a part of that. It's a small thing, but hey...

[n2o]

I have a bunch of friends that went into the coast guard, if I was to sign up for the military I could go the coast guard route as well.

If not explore your opportunities else where in the job market. I am in a completely different field from you but I just left the bar I was working at. I was concerned at first that it would be hard to get another gig somewhere else due to the economy. But I came highly recommended to places by a few liquor reps I know and am just floating picking up shifts living the dream.

With your degree you could easily get a position with a large hotel chain and make a package out of that.

[PSUHeckler]

I'm not hugely outspoken or quick thinking, two qualities that seem to be becoming of an officer.

I know I'm going to get a lot of comments in jest and that's to be expected.....

Thanks in advance for your time.

I am kind of surprised, especially from a management position if you're TRUELY not quick thinking or outspoken - two traits I think is necessary for any leadership occupation. Maybe you don't have it, or maybe you do and just don't know it

If you desire to join the military do it. As you, I've had friends both talk about good and bad about their experiences. I would try not to be biased though in taking person #1's opinion of the Navy and person #2's opinion of the Coast. I have friends that could tell you their experiences are visa versa of your friends'.

Do you research, and ask people you don't know, or who AREN'T recruiters what their pros and cons are of their military division. My own :2cents:, no better time than the present (from what you've spoken): no job, have wanted to join for a while, new president.

Choice is your's. Good luck.

[Burgold]

I do believe in following your heart. If you really want to join than that is what you should do. Few jobs are nobler. Make certain it is what you want because it is a commitment that you can't easily change your mind on, but if that's for you then even if you hadn't been laid off I would tell you to pursue it.

[robotfire]

Well, you'll probably be an officer pretty fast because of your degree. Good luck, and if you're a religious person, pray about it.

[stat2883]

I did a stint in the Air Force. While I wasn't too keen on joining up initially, I was in a financial bind after college (similar to your situation actually) and decided to take the plunge. Looking back, its probably the best thing I could have done.

If its something you've wanted to do for a long time, go for it. As someone above me said, just make sure you do your homework.

[DoGood28]

Thanks for sharing your experiences, everyone. In the end, I'm going to make the decision on my own, but given the reputation that recruiters can be less than honest, I thought I'd ask around. When I was 21 I walked into a recruiter in Manassas strickly for information. I sat down and told him exactly that. They jumped all over me trying to get me to join on the spot, but when I got what I came in for I thanked him and left. I want to be prepared when I do go in so that I can tell him exactly what I'm looking for.

I'm holding off on applying for unemployment for at least a week until I figure out what I should do. Thanks for the input guys.

[Chump Bailey]

If the military is not an option for you, I would think your degree would serve you well in the Northern Virginia area. They're good companies that are always looking for HR and/or training help. Look into some of the FFRDC's in the area or places like Lockheed Martin and Northrup Grumman. They might just sponser you for a security clearance also.

[Koolblue13]

If you have the chance to join as an officer, do it. Go talk to people in all 6 branches of the military and see what you think will suit your interests best.

You can talk to and sign anything you want in the recruiters office. You are safe until you are at the MEPS station being sworn in.

I would go talk to them.

(and nobody should be taking a shot at you for thinking of joining the military, we are at war and it's a personal duty)

[NavyDave]

Take a practice ASVAB test see if you qualify for one of several jobs you feel comfortable doing. You do not want to join the military as an undesignated type.

Sea Duty has its positives and negatives. My first cruise was around the world from Norfolk thru Europe to Asia Austrailia San Diego then home. But that was a 7.5 month cruise too.

Depending on the designation you receive, will determine your sea shore rotation.

Sub life in the Navy is the ultimate adventure and not for everyone. It is the one platform out of surface/ air and subsurface I didn't truly experience.

PM me if you want to know about life on small boys, Carriers or trying to get in mobile land units.

[Barney B]

PM me if you want to know about life on small boys...

Out of context gold.

[Koolblue13]

Holy **** was that a good one. Bonus points for it coming from Captain Republican.

[HighOnHendrix]

PM me if you want to know about life on small boys,.

Out of context gold.

That's not fair. We all know the navy guys are into each other; they leave the above to the clergy.

[Koolblue13]

That's not fair. We all know the navy guys are into each other; they leave the above to the clergy.

What branch were you in?

[NavyDave]

For non Navy types, the term smallboys is Old Navy for surface ships with capacity of 550 or less. Generally Cruisers, Destroyers and Frigates.

[joeknows]

i served aboard the uss city of corpus christi ssn 705.... then stationed in groton, ct....... your sub brother is right becareful what youget yourself into...

if i had to do it all over again.....I WOULD GO COAST GUARD

[joeknows]

if you want another perspectice on SILENT SERVICE <subs> hit me up

[Buford T. Justice]

If you join the military as an officer, do people resent you?

Can you get fired from the military? Let say you can't shoot well enough, do they give you the boot? Do they ever shut down units that have been together for years and make you learn a new "job"?

[28rdsknsfn28]

I did 8 years Active Duty and am in my 15th year of the Army Reserves. I think to this day it is the best thing I could have done once I got out ot high school. The best thing I can tell you is pretty much the same thing that has already been said. Go get information on what each branch will offer you then make an informed decision. If you have any questions come here and post them. There are enough of us here that we can give you honest info. Lastly make sure you get any promises IN WRITING. Most recruiters are honest and proffessional but there are some crooked ones.