Thursday, April 18, 2013

I ain't workin' here no more

Microsoft sign
Photo by JASELabs on Flickr
I sent out my "goodbye email" today at work.  I sent the email to about 75 people I've worked with over 10 years.  10 years! I can't believe that I'm even old enough to have worked somewhere for 10 years.  Sigh.   

It was emotionally harder than I thought, considering I haven't actually been AT work since mid-September.  I've been in limbo for so long with my job - maternity leave, my extended vacation/internal job search, and before that, the never-ending reorganization in my group.

But now it seems real and final, and the checks will stop coming. That's the scary part for me right now, even though I have some good leads on part-time consulting work.  I've been earning at least spending money since I was 15. I've been supporting myself since grad school in 1996 (with a few noteworthy exceptions when I got into some crazy credit card debt in college).

My identity is not tied up in my job. But I do love saying I work for Microsoft.  It's instantly recognizable (good or bad, you decide). It's got prestige. People dig Bill Gates.

I quit because I want more space in my life to do things - work a little, spend lots of unstructured time with the kids, craft a little (ok, a lot), keep our household running, exercise again.

So now I've got to work on my elevator/cocktail party speech. What is it that I do, exactly?  How do I avoid saying "I used to be..." or dismissing what I do - "I'm home with the kids, for now". 

Stay tuned.

14 comments:

  1. Congratulations!!! What a big change!! Very exciting! :) Good luck!!

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  2. I think "home with the kids" is a way harder and more impressive job. I am usually amazed at what Moms do.

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  3. It is so easy to link our identity with our work since the first question when you meet someone is often "What do you do?" I find that such a boring conversation starter because honestly, no one's job is that interesting and I rather find out other things about a person.

    I think you can mention p/t consulting of course when you meet someone new since you never know when you could get leads.

    Anyway, good luck!

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  4. What a big change! It sounds like the right thing for you and I wish you so much luck in the new chapter!

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  5. Good luck! I know this transition is not that easy, but you will get used to it. If it makes you feel any better I am not a huge fan of Bill Gates right now.

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  6. Hooray! You could go for, "I'm into freelance living." :)

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    1. I really, really, like this. I also like "whatever the hell I want to do." :)

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  7. I hate the "what do you do?" question. I do so much more than can be wrapped up in a couple of words, but if I give details, eyes glaze over.

    Maybe you could answer with something like "I am currently focusing on my family and working when I need to."

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  8. What a great change for you! So much exciting possibility ahead of you!

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  9. Hi, long time reader de-lurking...I love your blog!

    I am a SAHM (for now) who previously worked in finance. I usually find the following phrases are helpful. "My field is [finance]. My experience is in [corporate finance] (can add specific company names or types of work)." Since you're going to be doing some work, you could also add something along the lines of "My skills are []" or "I'm a project manager currently looking for x type of project."

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    1. This is good. I also like the idea of "casually" mentioning that I'm looking for work :)

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  10. Wow, so exciting...and scary...and exciting!

    Here's to a new, fulfilling chapter!!

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  11. Agree with the above anonymous that if you're still on the hunt for consulting work, then "what do you do?" is a good opportunity to mention your field and that you're looking.

    I once saw a SAHD blog with a picture of his business card. It said "Gentleman of leisure." Not so much leisure, I imagine, with the little ones, but funny nonetheless.

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