23 years ago I worked for a company with over 220 employees that shuddered it's operations in Western NY. I worked there for a few years, but others were there much longer, some over 25 years. Many were despondent and worried about paying the bills including their mortgage. Other companies were aware of the situation and the quality of our workforce and began reaching out to the displaced workers. Many of those workers found new employment with better working conditions and higher salaries. This often happens when you're "married to the job." You don't realize the grass can be greener outside those walls. I chose a different path. I passed up on a solid good paying job to take advantage of a benefit that was available to the displaced workers. I chose college. Everything was paid in full, my tuition, books, labs, and any fees for two years so long as I was enrolled full time. And, I also received a weekly unemployment check so long as I remained in school with good grades. I took advantage of the situation and went to college year round including winter and summer classes. It truly was the best of times. I believe I was the only former employee who choose that route, but my financial situation at the time allowed it. Some people would tell me "you should have taken that job," but I did what I wanted to do because I felt that opportunity would never come my way again, and I enjoyed every minute of it.
23 years ago I worked for a company with over 220 employees that shuddered it's operations in Western NY. I worked there for a few years, but others were there much longer, some over 25 years. Many were despondent and worried about paying the bills including their mortgage. Other companies were aware of the situation and the quality of our workforce and began reaching out to the displaced workers. Many of those workers found new employment with better working conditions and higher salaries. This often happens when you're "married to the job." You don't realize the grass can be greener outside those walls. I chose a different path. I passed up on a solid good paying job to take advantage of a benefit that was available to the displaced workers. I chose college. Everything was paid in full, my tuition, books, labs, and any fees for two years so long as I was enrolled full time. And, I also received a weekly unemployment check so long as I remained in school with good grades. I took advantage of the situation and went to college year round including winter and summer classes. It truly was the best of times. I believe I was the only former employee who choose that route, but my financial situation at the time allowed it. Some people would tell me "you should have taken that job," but I did what I wanted to do because I felt that opportunity would never come my way again, and I enjoyed every minute of it.