Alright, a forum search didn't dredge up any appropriate thread to resurrect... so here's a new one!

I've seen quite a few posters comment on their employment status being non-certain, non-existing, or newly non-typical. Let's hear it, what is your work status? Any thoughts on a new field or different lines of work because of the economy?

The important part- How has this impacted your cycling?

Just graduated College, and no job yet. I rode 500 miles last week,my mileage has gone up quite a bit with tons of free time.

what a great thread idea! I'll bite!

I'm unemployed - have been for 5 months now. I keep thinking a new job in my field will start in the next few days, and the company keeps bumping it back. I really want this job, but if it doesn't come through in the next week or so I'll be working whatever job I can get.
I'm looking at some interesting opportunities in related disciplines, stuff that I've always wanted to do but never made the jump. At this point though it is just needing to pay the bills and not living on credit anymore.

Cycling impact? I've sold off all my bikes and wheels but one, PT is parted out, all my spare parts but a pair of plastic flat pedals are gone through a combination of CL/BF/&slowtwitch, and I'm not racing until I get back on my feet.

but hey- I've still got one bike, and I intend to go ride it up some silly looking grades this afternoon.

Loosing my job and breaking up with my gf the same week last summer really improved my fitness.

I just started working today; my cycling should improve, since I plan to commute three or four days a week there.

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I did my stint at unemployment before it struck most of the economy. I did get in a lot better shape as I rode a lot more. Then I rejoined the workforce - employment in a "survival" job. (~1/6 of what I used to make). Retail, and the hours sucked. Rode probably 10 good rides all of 2008. Life is on the upswing, still way underpaid, but better, and I have been able to get back on the bike again. Hooray!

Had the same job for 23 years as a company VP, then a new CEO came in and out-sourced my entire department. That was a year ago and I've had lots more time to ride and am now in pretty good cycling shape. However the world of free-lance has it's pros and cons and I'm really hoping to find a full-time job back in broadcasting and/or audio-video production.

I could ride a bit more than I am, but frankly with my wife earning most of the money, I feel a bit guilty out riding my bike and when I'm riding I'm always thinking about finding a job.

So...everyone hang in there, don't get discouraged and see this time as an opportunity for maybe doing something you never would have had the courage to do before.

I have to take 1 day off without pay each week = 20% unemployed. I actually am able to file for unemployment compensation so I'm part of the statistic. It has helped to increase my training.

This is my situation exactly. Unemployed for 7+ months now.

I just graduated with my Bachelor of Education and I am packing for a move in just over 2 weeks time.

So, no ... I'm not working just now. Not too many people hire for just a few weeks I'm way too busy with the packing, sorting, disposing process ... I'd be going insane if I had to work too.

And all this packing, sorting, and disposing has also eaten into my cycling time so I haven't been riding as much as I would like. But that's OK, I'll ride more when I get there.

I've been off an on unemployed since last August. It's had some interesting effects. First, I used to delivery pizza...so when I stopped doing that, I really had no need for my vehicles, so I started going car free (and sold 2 of my 3 cars, the 3rd is a long-term project car).

Secondly, I got on as a casual in November. Unfortunately where I work is being impacted by the economy. It was ok over Christmas but was haven't been called in for weeks. Starting to contemplate a second job...ideally at a bike shop. :-)

All I do now is cycle (for transit and fun) and orienteer.

BTW - what's with this? Split personality? Two people using the same user name?

That's not all bad as selling cycling stuff is often difficult. I've got stuff I've been sitting on for months .

Yeah WTF, Is there an echo?

Been working in soccer management for the past 16 years, sales, marketing, management, player repping, scouting, general "fussball genius" as my Swiss friend calls me.

Well last team I was working for turned out to be a killer. I was working about 80 hours a week from February till August, gained 17 lbs, developed high blood pressure, exhaustion and then got the flu, followed by pneumonia. Was borderline diabetic as well - and with the pneumonia, couldn't do any exercise.

In February I was finally cleared to exercise, started shooting hoops and weights, and then a ride on the trainer, then another, then I hit the street. In March I was laid off by mutual consent. I couldn't stay working there and the team couldn't afford me.

So now I'm trying to get my riding up, was at 75 miles before the dog incident and hope to get back to 100+ a week in the next couple of weeks.

Job hunting since November, but seriously since February - hard to job hunt when you have laryngitis and can't speak for than a few words. Met with a couple of recruiters - basically I'm old, HR departments see soccer and do not comprehend what I can do or have done (if I can sell soccer in the US, I can sell ice to eskimos).

Also have the guilty feelings of exercising when wife is working. Doing some freelance scouting work, but unless the player signs with the team, I get diddly squat for my time and efforts and expenses.

Ive been unemployed for 9+ months. I had to sell the fixed gear I had built up to pay for the bills.

Either that or the OP has some serious memory issues.

I am just about to leave (another) college and am looking for work. Wow, it sucks. I have exams next week so not much cycling for me and then there's a big ride right in the middle I need to prep for. It's all fun though.

My god, woman... how much stuff do you have?! You've been working on this for weeks!

Between 2003 and 2005, my wife and I moved from California to Brooklyn to Philadelphia to Austin (House 1) to Austin (House 2) to Austin (House 3 - where we live now) AND got married AND had twins.

1. Just get rid of everything you haven't used in six months. 2. Label and pack the rest. 3. Move.

Every year, repeat step one, but stop there. Moving all the time sucks.

(Good Luck. )

I am fortunate in that I have work....I'm in the energy efficiency business and honestly I can't get to all the customers who want me to come and visit their facilities. My company, because of the economy, will not hire anyone else to help but want me to move forward with everything. So with a shortage of engineers, project managers and designers we are all stressed out trying to get to everything. I have had my vacation cancelled twice, this month, in order to meet with clients. So I'm kinda edgy at home but I try to realize I should be more thankful and not complain.

I will be officially unemployed as of June 3. I fully expect my time in the saddle to increase dramatically over the summer.

Oh, and as time goes on, I suspect I'll be selling a few cycling related things....

55/Rad

I'm on the recently not unemployed, thank goodness. However, in that stint, I lost a bit of weight (not eating enough) and put off the bike that was being built up for the girlfriend (losing access to a club road bike she has been able to borrow for several years). Rode less, worked and searched for odd jobs more. Also briefly considered moving back home until I realized that I'd be happier living in a small apartment asking "Would you like fries with that" than being cooped up with my parents. End result though is a decent 3 month job in the field of my choice(Not fast food), so hang in there guys.

Incorrect,split identity crisis syndrome.
The second poster has no idea that he/she is the original poster.Listen to Chairman Nancy Pelosi sometime..

It's a little bit more complicated than that. My stuff has been in storage for almost 5 years while I've been living in very small, temporary accommodations ... so of course I haven't used it in six month ... I haven't even laid eyes on most of it in almost 5 years.

My original plan was to find my own place somewhere around here this year, and set it up with the stuff out of storage. But that plan has changed a bit now, and I need to decide if these things are worth shipping or not.

And yes, there is a lot of it ... or was. I haven't kept an exact count but I believe I've hauled away at least 24 large garbage bags of stuff already, and I've got probably another 6 or more to haul away on Thursday.

Best of luck to all of you.

Not unemployed but with a major change coming soon (moving to New Zealand at least for 6 months).

As Chris Carmichael says, "let cycling be your anchor"....it does help greatly with the stress that comes with all major changes.

"Whats all the fuss about,it,s only a soccer game?"
Arliss (HBO)