I've been placed on waivers

[Baron Scicluna]

Yep, after nearly 15 years in the newspaper business, and 10 at the current place, I've been given my outright release.

I knew it was going to happen. I had been told that my job was being eliminated a while ago. The date hadn't been finalized until a couple of weeks ago.

I'm sad, but at the same time, I'm ready for a new challenge (besides the obvious one of finding employment). I've been in journalism for my entire professional life and I'm curious as to what life is like on the non-newspaper side. And yeah, I'm scared too, that I'll end up hating my next career.

But I took the advice of many on this board, and had a Plan B. I'm going back to school at my local community college for the paralegal program. I'll be looking for jobs in PR, and taking a bunch of Civil Service tests in the meantime. But I figure that my journalism skills will translate pretty well to a paralegal job.

So, right now, it's one step back. Hopefully, it'll turn to two steps forward.

 

[User 1019]

Good luck, Baron.

 

[imjustagirl]

Good luck. And keep us updated. Plenty of people here considering going back to school, I would think.

 

[ArnoldBabar]

Sorry man, but congrats on being prepared and having a plan. Good luck.

 

[BYH]

Not a good day at the top of the AG board.

Good luck to you, and if you find a new job and it's hiring, plz consider me k thx bai!

 

[The Big Ragu]

Sorry to hear that baron. Good luck figuring out the next step. You seem to be going at it the right way.

 

[Rumpleforeskin]

At first I was hopeful it would say "I've been placed on blast," but no such luck. Good luck, Baron.

 

[Birdscribe]

Baron, good luck to you.

And paralegal training is a pretty good avenue to pursue. Good on you for thinking this out to that point.

 

[Just_An_SID]

Good luck Baron. I am sure something good will happen.

I will however disagree with Babar. . . Baron may have thought about the next step, but he wasn't necessarily prepared.

So. . . for all of those wondering what you might do if your job is cut next, get to work. Take the paralegal course or finish the community college work now so that when the time does come (if it does), you don't have to wait six months to get on with your life.

 

[ArnoldBabar]

I will however disagree with Babar. . . Baron may have thought about the next step, but he wasn't necessarily prepared.

You're never emotionally prepared, but logistically, he seems a hell of a lot more prepared than I was. Hopefuly it will serve him well.

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

Good luck, bruddah.

 

[silvershadow1981]

Good luck Baron, sorry to hear that this happened.

 

[forever_town]

Sorry to hear that you've been given your outright release, but I'm glad you had something in the works.

First chance you get, stick it to those bastards!

 

[OTD]

Good luck to you Baron. It sounds like you were mentally ready for it.

You'll make a great paralegal.

 

[shockey]

only the best, baron. there's not a soul here who doesn't fear the same for him/herself. give whatever's next your best shot. and be happy, always.

 

[wannabeu]

Sorry to hear about that Baron. Hopefully, everything works out for you in the future. Good luck.

 

[sportsguydave]

Sending good thoughts your way as well, Baron. Will the last person leaving this dying, once-proud profession please turn off the lights?

 

[Double J]

What do Baron Scicluna and 10,000 millworkers in Charlestown have in common?

Seriously, Baron, best of luck, and thanks for sharing your story and your plan with us. Be sure to let us know how it's going.......news about successful career transitions is always welcome here.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

Thanks to all for your good wishes. I've been trying to keep positive about this. I know I'll have days when I'm sad that my journalism career is essentially done, barring a miracle. But I figure that I'm not alone in this setback. I've been very lucky in my professional life, and I just figure, to borrow a phrase from The Paper, it was my turn.

Just an SID is right in that you should implement your Plan B beforehand. Unfortunately, personal circumstances and an admitted bit of laziness stopped me before. It took a major issue at my job, prior to the layoff notice, to motivate me to sign up for the classes. Between the time I signed up and when classes start was when I found out that I was eventually getting the boot.