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I’m here because I got fired: A Six-Word Memoir

I’m here because I got fired

   Before I started my path toward earning a degree, I was a construction worker. My father and his father were union construction workers. To be more specific, we were all union sheet metal workers; sheet metal workers design, build and install various types of sheet metal products. In San Diego, where we all worked, sheet metal workers mainly build and install air conditioning duct and architectural components. I started this type of work as soon as I graduated high school because I had no idea or plan for my future and my dad could help me join his union. I worked in this industry for 11 years and went through a five-year apprenticeship and night school. I worked hard.
   I found a union company that valued loyal employees and worked for them for 5 years. Some small jobs were made my responsibility and I started to expect an official promotion to Foreman. Unfortunately, my expectations for the future did not become a reality. I was laid off to make room for a current Foreman that had just finished at a site and wanted my take over my job. He had seniority and was given my job.
   At this point in life I had been married for a few years, had some savings in the bank, and my wife had graduated with a Ph.D. in Pharmacology. The circumstances felt adequate and I made the choice to give college a shot while I sat on the union out-of-work list. A few years have passed and now I am a transfer student in my senior year at SDSU, majoring in Management Information Systems.
   I do not know if I made the right decision to change my career path this late in life, but I will be proud to have graduated from college and would not have done so if I did not get fired.


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Comments

  1. Jina ChungJanuary 31, 2019 at 2:53 PM

    Hi Ryan,
    First of all I read your Blog title and I thought "I love this man's honesty" and then I read your blog title and I thought "hey, this entry is about to get real." I'm glad I read this! If I did not go into my current major fields, I would definitely have liked to get more into MIS because there is always a demand for individuals who have MIS expertise. I hope that after you finish with school, you follow through with your future plans because your family sounds very important to you. Wish you all the best!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kat CurryFebruary 2, 2019 at 2:19 PM

    Hi Ryan,

    First off, I thoroughly enjoy your humor. Second, I can 'somewhat' relate to the struggle of career change. I have changed career paths 3 times in the past 4 years . I started off in nursing school, graduated from an American Sign Language interpreting program, and now back at SDSU for Child Family Development. Why? I have no idea. Still trying to figure out what I'm doing at this school. Truly I am not even an university person. Sometimes reality is silly like that, though. Try not to stress on the future but focus on the now. Congrats on getting into SDSU. You got this!

    Kat

    ReplyDelete
  3. Gary TongFebruary 4, 2019 at 12:41 PM

    Hey Ryan!

    I don't think it's ever too late to change your career. Life always finds a way to knock us down, but it's how we choose to get up is what counts. If you're enjoying life and like what you're doing right now, I don't think you should regret any decisions you've made. Have fun your senior year at State! I hope it treats you well!

    - Gary T.

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownFebruary 4, 2019 at 5:00 PM

    Stories like these always motivate me! Next year I'll be considered a super super senior and although timelines shouldn't matter in college, it's always an insecurity of mine. It's always comforting to know that others who are older than me have not given up on getting a degree. I appreciate your story and congratulations Ryan! I'm sure your future will be bright.





    ReplyDelete
  5. Monica CarterFebruary 4, 2019 at 5:58 PM

    Hey Ryan,
    First off I definitely checked out your blog first because of the title, and the title of your six word memoir definitely made me more interested because of the blatant honesty. I'm very sorry to hear about what happened with your previous job, but it is amazing that you were willing to go back to school even though it is out of your comfort zone. Especially considering you chose such a difficult major. Good luck with your schooling this year!
    - Monica

    ReplyDelete

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