power_pangolin's journey

I was laid off after five years at my previous job, and while I suspect it was more of a firing than a standard layoff, I managed to find a new position within three months. The new job comes with a $20K salary increase, but I'm already feeling the instability and worry that I might face another layoff soon. I've been thinking a lot about giving back to the community, especially to those looking to switch careers into IT. My background is in Linux System Administration, and I have a soft spot for retail workers since I used to work in that field myself. I want to help them change their situation, but I'm questioning whether it's worth it given the current job market. With so many big companies laying off employees and the rise of AI, is it really feasible to pull people out of their current situations when there seems to be no solid ground? I'm particularly interested in hearing from other retail folks about their thoughts on this.

I’m facing the possibility of getting laid off or fired tomorrow, and honestly, I feel like I’m at my breaking point. It’s been clear for a while now that things aren’t looking good; the company hired someone for the same position I hold, even though there’s no work to justify it. I’ve been getting the cold shoulder from my managers, which only adds to my anxiety about what’s coming. I expect to hear from HR first thing in the morning or early afternoon. I’ve tried my best to make this work. I’ve gained the necessary skills and put in the effort, but it feels like it’s just not enough anymore. The idea of staying in the same job for a long time seems unrealistic now. I’m feeling defeated and uncertain about my future. Every day feels like a struggle, and I don’t know what’s next for me.