Update

Updates on the job-hunting front.

After I met with a person inside my organization to talk about my job prospects, I've had some developments, both good and maybe not so helpful. Since the beginning of March, I've been assigned a weekly creative project that I really enjoy. That's been fun.

I also was asked to pitch in on another project in our department - I met with my colleague and have just begun working on the project.

On the maybe not so helpful front - I also volunteered to help out in another department where there may be an opening soon. There are some staff shortages, and I offered my help. But the amount of time I could offer was not what they needed, so they referred my offer to another division.

Yesterday I reported to work at the other division, and found out that what they wanted me to do was basic data entry as they implement a new software system. Not very challenging, and it's really not a potential transfer opportunity, But my colleagues there are super nice, and it's a chance to learn about the software they are adopting.

In my own department, I filed the paperwork for four of my colleagues to move to other jobs in our organization. Congratulations to them! But it's bittersweet. Today I just learned that another colleague, who was hopeful about a transfer opportunity, was not chosen. He and I both commiserated together. He said to me, "I really hope you get something, but on the other hand, if you weren't here I wouldn't know how to get through this." I told him the same thing.

Yesterday, I was asked to a meeting to help set the policy adapting my work after I am gone. Apparently, my "expertise" is valuable enough that they want me to advise them. But then today I met with the person who will be writing the policy, and it was pretty clear that she wants me to tell her what to write in the report that will be presented under her name.

Amid this, I'm trying to steer the remnants of my department into its final dry dock. Attitudes are bad, people are demoralized, and I can't allow myself to give in to negative feelings, because we have to make sure our remaining clients are properly provided for.

This evening, I got an email from a former colleague, still in the organization, with whom I had clashed in the past. She forwarded me a job posting that she'd found, and kindly asked me if there was anything she could do for me.

Losing your job sucks. Job hunting is painful. People can be kind. Whatever happens will be okay.