A Linchpin's Journey

I am deeply saddened by the news about the recent layoffs happening in Oracle worldwide. I know what it feels like to unexpectedly lose a job. I even know the heartbreak of giving your all just to get fired, and even unpaid, after all your effort. I know the shame and disrespect of an angry boss (after my Oracle experience) that extorts you for their self-interest. In fact, I myself was fired from my previous employment. I held back from sharing this because I feared sharing this wouldn't inspire people to become linchpins if they'd get fired anyway. But I have come to realize why this story may be worth sharing. I left Oracle early this year as I would be taking up a NetSuite Admin role for a NetSuite partner. The company would be setting up operations in the Philippines, and the owner and CEO of the partner company saw my application. He proceeded to interview me and said he was very impressed with my profile. He told me that it was not easy to impress him. I thought to mys...

If you've read my previous posts, you may be aware that I've been complaining about the low salary I've been getting in Oracle. It's just really enough for our family. But it definitely is not going to be enough in case of emergencies or sudden expenses, like a car battery replacement, a rise in amortization costs, or  inflation. As much as I have loved my experience in Oracle, the recognitions, achievements, and of course, the people, I have other goals in life. There's more to it than just work. Financial goals, in particular, are what I needed to work on. And ultimately, the decision to leave Oracle seemed to be for the best. I've recently finished reading The Dip , by Seth Godin. I knew it would be a source of comfort as I enter this liminal space of unemployment. The book reaffirmed that my decision to leave was the right one, and that I had been in a cul-de-sac in Oracle all along. Oracle was truly a happy place. There was a lot of space to grow, but only ...