Friday, September 30, 2011

Pregnant and jobless!

Dear Readers,
I kind of hate to do this, but I am in a really tough spot.

Yesterday I lost my job suddenly and unexpectedly, after four+ years of glowing reviews. My position was simply 'eliminated' days after my pregnancy was officially announced. I can't go into much more detail, but that is essentially what went down.

I'm shocked and scared and am really not sure what we're going to do. I can't remember if I ever mentioned it here or not, but Andy (my husband) was also laid off (that's what we get for both going into nonprofit careers I guess, right?!) a few months ago. Thankfully, he was able to find a couple part-time jobs working for bicycle programs he really likes, but he is making much less and he lost his insurance coverage. It wasn't ideal, but we were doing alright, mainly because at least I still had my decent-paying, secure job with benefits.

Well, now my benefits are ending at the end of next month. That's right, the benefits that are absolutely essential right now during this high-risk, high-stress pregnancy. It looks like I'll be able to get Cobra insurance, but its super ridiculously expensive. I know, I don't really have a choice. We'll make it, we always do, but this is just really, really horrible timing.

Anyway, the long and short of it is that I really need to find some work. I am not looking for another fulltime 9-5 office-type job right now. That just seems silly, given that I'll be leaving in a few months when Baby E (hopefully) comes, and I don't plan on working fulltime once he/she is here. But I do hope that I can get some part-time, temporary, or freelance/consulting work as soon as possible. I hate to toot my own horn, but I have some pretty strong skills in the areas of writing (grants, web, nonprofit marketing, etc), fundraising, online community-building/social media (think the work I've done with Faces of Loss), event planning (specifically nonprofit volunteer and fundraising events--this was what my job was before I was 'let go'), and photography.

I feel super annoying and lame doing this, but this is the online portfolio I have started, which includes my resume and lots of samples of my work. I am sharing it in hopes that maybe, just maybe, there is someone out there who is looking to hire a totally awesome pregnant girl for the next five months (or knows of someone who is!). Please please please consider passing the link along if you have any contacts who might be interested in my services.

I am trying really hard to view this sucky situation as a potential blessing in disguise. All along my plan has been to try to find something I can do part-time from home once E is here, I just didn't think I'd be looking so soon. I am pretty pissed off about the way I was let go from my job, but I'm choosing to see it as a good thing: see, when I get pissed off, that's when I get things done. This is a challenge. But it's also an opportunity. My dream has always been to be able to be at home with my children while they are young. If I can find a way to actually work from home, that dream of mine just might become a reality.

Anyway, thank you! And thank you, too, for all the supportive comments on my last post. I love that I can be completely honest here and no one judges me for it. I have the best followers ever! :)

Okay, I'm off to look for jobs! Fingers crosses the perfect opportunity falls into my lap one of these days.

Have a great weekend,
Kristin

PS. 14 weeks today! I had an OB appointment this morning and everything continues to look great with little E. Strong heartbeat, and guess what? I've finally gained a couple pounds! I'm so ready to make up for lost time and start packin' 'em on!

23 comments:

LindsayjKing13 said...

I'm sorry Kristin! That is a crappy situation and crappy timing. I have zero connections for you, but I will say a few prayers and think some positive, happy thoughts and hope that the right opportunity presents itself VERY soon! Take care!

Casie said...

I'm sure you already know this, but you should really look into some contract Technical Writing positions. I'm a Technical Writer and get to work from home 2-3 days a week and be with my little one at the same time! There are many contract Technical Writing positions that allow you to do this work full time from home. Not to mention, it pays pretty well! With your obvious talent in writing, you'd probably find something pretty quickly! Check out http://www.stc.org/. They have a job board and will give you more info. Good Luck!!

Glo said...

Sorry about your job....that really sucks. I hope your able to find some interim work before E arrives.

Catie said...

Kristin,

I'm so sorry to read this post. It's been a long time since we chatted (think Baby Center August mommies)... But I still follow your blog! :-)

Have you looked into elance.com, odesk.com or guru.com??? I got a job working for a company in Australia on elance and have been working for them for over 6 months now. There are tons of jobs and it is competitive but with your skills I think you'd have an edge! You should look into it!

I wish you the best (in your job search and your pregnancy) and I hope something comes around soon!

Beryl said...

*hugs* Kristin. We went through something similar (albeit not as scary on the insurance front) when pregnant with our rainbow. And in that time I had to remind myself over and over that I had an angel watching over me and it would be ok. Stevie I am sure is watching over you and the right path is waiting just around the corner. Just keep the mindset that your new chapter decided to be written a few months earlier than expected. I am confident someone is going to snatch you up to work for them right away.

Becky said...

Sorry to hear about the job. I wish there was something I could do to help. The portfolio looks great though:)
Yay 14 weeks!

Angie said...

I wish I could help in some way, but being 5,000 miles away, broke and in a completely unrelated field with my own job I'm useless. I had to get cobra after I left my previous job when Aiden died, and now that I am self employed i don't exactly get benefit coverage, so I'm stuck paying nearly $300 a month. It's totally worth it, but it's also really freakin expensive.

I'm so sorry you and Andy are in such a tight spot right now. All I can offer are words of comfort and as always allllll my love. xo

gomillion and one... said...

Crappy situation but I understand since the same thing happened to me. I told my boss I was pregnant and the following Friday I was laid of for violating company policy....UGH! Stupid people!
As for finding work....I wish you the world of luck. Seeing that Im in Ca Im not too sure I could be any help but you never know. Fingers and toes are crossed and Ill keep you and baby E in my thoughts and prayers!

Crystal said...

Sending prayers that this will be a wonderful thing... in the long run. I lost my job when my first child was 8 weeks old, ironically 2 days after I had returned from maternity leave. (I also worked for a non-profit.) The timing allowed me to be home for the first 6 months of my son's life, while I was looking for a new job. We were beyond broke but somehow we managed. I wouldn't trade that time for the world!

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear that!
Please file for unemployment ASAP. Hope you can get it.

B. Wilson @ Windy {City} Wilsons said...

Oh, Kristen. This sucks! I know it's not much... but have you considered Starbucks? If you can't get a job and only work freelance anyway (which seems like what you're after for only 5 months more), then that might be a good option. I just know they have benefits because a good friend of mine worked there after just having a newborn and having no other means of health insurance as a single mom. It could at least take the edge off and give you a chance to find jobs you really enjoy. I know that's probably not what you want to hear since you're FAR more qualified than that, but I'm just throwing out ideas since I have no leads for you myself. As is, I am a MA educated teacher who is working as a substitute aide and getting paid pennies. Thankfully my husband has full benefits, but it's really humbling to be working a job I'm way overqualified for. But like you, it's just temporary and the extra cash will help us a ton... so I suck it up and do it.

Hoping you can find something soon and feel valuable. Too much stress, especially for a BLM and all those Lovenox shots you have to take!

B. Wilson @ Windy {City} Wilsons said...

Damn. I spelled your name wrong. Kristin. I hate that. Argh. ;)

Harlowe said...

I'll keep my ears to the ground, Kristen!

Anonymous said...

Contact your local county agency. Because you are pregnant, your will likely qualify for medical assistance and other benefits.

Nika M. said...

Praying for you.

Dannii said...

oh Kristin that is so crazy! i wish i could do something from here :( sending all the good sunny vibes from melbourne in hope that you'll find something soon!
love you, andy, stevie and baby E so much! xx

Emily said...

Don't feel bad about advertising yourself on your blog. It's called networking!!! I don't have any great ideas but I hope you find something really soon!

mrshughes said...

First-have you applied for unemployment? Usually, if you are laid off, you are eligible for unemployment.

Second-have you applied for medicaid? You are pregnant and if you don't have a job, and your husband is not working full time either, you might qualify.

Third-I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. I've been there. I was fired from a job a week before I found out I was pregnant with my youngest. That was rough, but we got through it. You will too!!

Anonymous said...

Dear Kristin,

That just really really sucks. I can't help you in any way, since all the jobs I hear of are in Europe... I really hope you'll find something soon.
And maybe this is the wrong thing to say right now and not the time for you to think about this at all, but I know you were working on making a book out of your blog. You are a good writer and I just know that a book about you and your family would be really helpful and comforting to lots of people.
Good luck with finding work and mostly with not stressing too much about it and focusing on the little life that is growing inside of you.

Merel

Ashley said...

So sorry to hear about your job! I was laid off too when I was 6 months pregnant, but I tried to look at the positive side!

Holly said...

I'm sorry about your job! What horrible timing :( I really, really am hoping that something comes along!

erin said...

I am being the creepy commenter today, but i'm just catching up on your blog for the first time in a couple of weeks. I have four sisters and one of them had her job eliminated while she was pregnant. She spoke to an employement attorney and her employer settled out of court with a years salary. Another sister was hired at her current job when she was five months pregnant and that was 6 years ago! You are incredibly taltented so it will all work out! Have you check out momcorps.com

Anonymous said...

So happy you are pregnant! So sorry about the job. Check out craig's list and mom corps.com. Take care.

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