I was laid off after 10 years at the same company. My $17-an-hour job at a garden center changed how I think about work.
A marketing professional shares her experience of finding unexpected fulfillment in a part-time garden center job after being laid off from a senior corporate role. The essay explores the emotional toll of job loss and the shift in perspective regarding career identity.
Why it matters
This narrative highlights the psychological impact of layoffs and the growing trend of 'bridge jobs' as professionals navigate an uncertain labor market.
A part time job at a garden center helped Leslie Friday cope with getting laid off. Provided by Leslie Friday Leslie Friday was unexpectedly laid off from a senior director position she loved. As a mom of three, she worked hard to make ends meet while navigating a tough job market. She found unexpected joy and fulfillment working a part-time job at a garden center. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Leslie Friday, 48, a marketing and communications professional who found a "bridge job" at a garden center after getting laid off. It has been edited for length and clarity. I know everyone says this, but I really didn't see it coming. After a decade at the same company , I was laid off. I was in complete shock.
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