Ken just asked me to guess what the topic of the meeting might be that was suddenly called for noon today. I declined, though I know exactly what it is -- because I'm one of thirteen people across CIT being told today that we're being laid off. I "go on layoff status" on January 16th, unless I choose to leave earlier or accept another position. If I go on layoff status, I'll get a lump sum of a week's pay per year of service (I've worked eleven and a half years), and my health insurance continues for a year if I continue to pay the (pretty low) employee contribution portion of the costs. There are also plenty of resources available to help me find a job, answer any questions I have, or provide counseling.

Basically, the user support side of the group I'm in is going away, as part of the shuffling taking place within CIT. I can speculate which other people are affected, but there's not much point.

No, I don't really know how to feel about this yet. Obviously, I'm not thrilled about my job being eliminated, but in a very real sense, I've been in a job I didn't choose to be in for over two years, and this gives me the opportunity to find a job I want. I also know I have other ways of making money besides sitting at a desk at Cornell all day, and I suspect I will start availing myself of some of those.

I also have to figure out who to tell. Guess I'll call my parents, and I should also start putting out feelers to a few folks who might be in a position to help. I suppose I'd better also start paying more attention to LinkedIn.

Two and a half months. I have my work cut out for me.