The whole DOGE experience broke me. Went from wanting to work to 65…

Posted by DT on March 16, 2026, 19:19:16, in reply to "I've been through the roller coaster highs and lows big time...hitting 65 in 2+ months"

…to counting the days until I’m 59 1/2 and can start withdrawing from my retirement accounts. I like my new job, but I no longer have the deeper motivation and purpose, and I have a lot of days where I’m wishing I didn’t have to go to work, which hadn’t really been a feeling I had before. Previous Message When my position was eliminated 2 years ago, I wanted to stay right with it for 5 more years, but now with my wife's parents and my parents all gone, the inheritance has certainly helped and I'm good doing part time stuff including baseball umpiring and uber driving. I still feel I could have a lot to give, but I am now past the 50-60+ hours/week grind. I truly hope for the best for all out there, especially those who are early to mid in their careers and have families to support. Keep networking, not only in your career fields, but in the community, youth sports/activities family and other social connections, church, whatever. Some amazing doors could open, and I almost guarantee that your path will not be what you had scripted. Keep the faith.

Hear, hear

Posted by TarheelIllini on March 16, 2026, 19:17:10, in reply to "I've been through the roller coaster highs and lows big time...hitting 65 in 2+ months"

use claude to optimize your resume for anthropic*

Posted by torinese on March 16, 2026, 14:07:45, in reply to "Anyone have any contacts or "in's" at Anthropic?"

Previous Message I just applied to 3 jobs there, but those applications go into the abyss and I'd love to find a backdoor to the inside. Previous Message I recently parted ways with my Company and find myself on the job market for the first time since 2008. Finding the right job is a full time job and that's my mission now. I'm a engineering grad that switched career paths into business development and have had a nearly two decade stint of increasing responsibilities in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, life sciences, and health technology. As one who never asks for help from anyone, writing this message is a challenge for me, but also a sign of my personal growth I enjoy and thrive the most when I'm figuring out how to scale and deliver hyper-growth: be it to a small business looking to ramp up, or, a large business that is struggling with an existing or new offering. This likely will go nowhere, but you miss 100% of the shots you don't take, so if you or someone you know is looking for an Illini that is accustomed to being a road warrior and burning the candle at both ends to grow business, please reply or get into my box. Also - my next gig does not have to be in healthcare. I'm happy and desire to spread my wings. While much of my success has been in that sector, the skills are transferrable.

that is a nice FREEBIRD life. You driving down to Greenville?*

Posted by ArtVandelay on March 16, 2026, 13:14:09, in reply to "Probably joining the FREEBIRD life after next Friday. But we are lucky since I get "

Previous Message a bit in federal retirement and keep my health insurance from that plus we socked stuff away when I got double paid last year (Thanks DOGE!). So we are greatly shielded but I really feel for those of you who've had to go through this without the safety net we are lucky enough to have. Good news is if Illinois is in the East Region, no reason I can't go now. Previous Message I recently parted ways with my Company and find myself on the job market for the first time since 2008. Finding the right job is a full time job and that's my mission now. I'm a engineering grad that switched career paths into business development and have had a nearly two decade stint of increasing responsibilities in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, life sciences, and health technology. As one who never asks for help from anyone, writing this message is a challenge for me, but also a sign of my personal growth I enjoy and thrive the most when I'm figuring out how to scale and deliver hyper-growth: be it to a small business looking to ramp up, or, a large business that is struggling with an existing or new offering. This likely will go nowhere, but you miss 100% of the shots you don't take, so if you or someone you know is looking for an Illini that is accustomed to being a road warrior and burning the candle at both ends to grow business, please reply or get into my box. Also - my next gig does not have to be in healthcare. I'm happy and desire to spread my wings. While much of my success has been in that sector, the skills are transferrable.

Job search environment is absolutely brutal right now, too

Posted by DT on March 13, 2026, 11:34:14, in reply to "One thing I’ll never forget about this board was the FREEBIRD posts during the Great Recession "

AI has definitely made that whole process super-shitty. AI applications spamming every opening with thousands of applicants requiring AI screening tools that will miss anyone who isn’t perfect, or has a slightly non-traditional background. Previous Message Recent market indicators have reminded me lately of that dark time. Good luck, Art. Previous Message I recently parted ways with my Company and find myself on the job market for the first time since 2008. Finding the right job is a full time job and that's my mission now. I'm a engineering grad that switched career paths into business development and have had a nearly two decade stint of increasing responsibilities in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, life sciences, and health technology. As one who never asks for help from anyone, writing this message is a challenge for me, but also a sign of my personal growth I enjoy and thrive the most when I'm figuring out how to scale and deliver hyper-growth: be it to a small business looking to ramp up, or, a large business that is struggling with an existing or new offering. This likely will go nowhere, but you miss 100% of the shots you don't take, so if you or someone you know is looking for an Illini that is accustomed to being a road warrior and burning the candle at both ends to grow business, please reply or get into my box. Also - my next gig does not have to be in healthcare. I'm happy and desire to spread my wings. While much of my success has been in that sector, the skills are transferrable.

Damn*

Posted by EffinIllini on March 13, 2026, 11:57:54, in reply to "I was also freebird'ed the last week of January with my last day being the 1st of March..."

Previous Message ...it is truly terrifying when you're going through it. Best of luck to you all. Previous Message I recently parted ways with my Company and find myself on the job market for the first time since 2008. Finding the right job is a full time job and that's my mission now. I'm a engineering grad that switched career paths into business development and have had a nearly two decade stint of increasing responsibilities in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, life sciences, and health technology. As one who never asks for help from anyone, writing this message is a challenge for me, but also a sign of my personal growth I enjoy and thrive the most when I'm figuring out how to scale and deliver hyper-growth: be it to a small business looking to ramp up, or, a large business that is struggling with an existing or new offering. This likely will go nowhere, but you miss 100% of the shots you don't take, so if you or someone you know is looking for an Illini that is accustomed to being a road warrior and burning the candle at both ends to grow business, please reply or get into my box. Also - my next gig does not have to be in healthcare. I'm happy and desire to spread my wings. While much of my success has been in that sector, the skills are transferrable.

if you want to analyze ticketing data for 65K a year, i'm hiring!

Posted by assassin on March 13, 2026, 11:29:21, in reply to "I was also freebird'ed the last week of January with my last day being the 1st of March..."

bummer man, brutal time for something to happen that sucks to begin with Previous Message ...it is truly terrifying when you're going through it. Best of luck to you all. Previous Message I recently parted ways with my Company and find myself on the job market for the first time since 2008. Finding the right job is a full time job and that's my mission now. I'm a engineering grad that switched career paths into business development and have had a nearly two decade stint of increasing responsibilities in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, life sciences, and health technology. As one who never asks for help from anyone, writing this message is a challenge for me, but also a sign of my personal growth I enjoy and thrive the most when I'm figuring out how to scale and deliver hyper-growth: be it to a small business looking to ramp up, or, a large business that is struggling with an existing or new offering. This likely will go nowhere, but you miss 100% of the shots you don't take, so if you or someone you know is looking for an Illini that is accustomed to being a road warrior and burning the candle at both ends to grow business, please reply or get into my box. Also - my next gig does not have to be in healthcare. I'm happy and desire to spread my wings. While much of my success has been in that sector, the skills are transferrable. Brandon Schrock of Laredo, Texas, told the federal government that his employer was “poop,” and his occupation was “pooper.”

Damn. Good luck, dude.*

Posted by DT on March 13, 2026, 11:25:19, in reply to "I was also freebird'ed the last week of January with my last day being the 1st of March..."

Previous Message ...it is truly terrifying when you're going through it. Best of luck to you all. Previous Message I recently parted ways with my Company and find myself on the job market for the first time since 2008. Finding the right job is a full time job and that's my mission now. I'm a engineering grad that switched career paths into business development and have had a nearly two decade stint of increasing responsibilities in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, life sciences, and health technology. As one who never asks for help from anyone, writing this message is a challenge for me, but also a sign of my personal growth I enjoy and thrive the most when I'm figuring out how to scale and deliver hyper-growth: be it to a small business looking to ramp up, or, a large business that is struggling with an existing or new offering. This likely will go nowhere, but you miss 100% of the shots you don't take, so if you or someone you know is looking for an Illini that is accustomed to being a road warrior and burning the candle at both ends to grow business, please reply or get into my box. Also - my next gig does not have to be in healthcare. I'm happy and desire to spread my wings. While much of my success has been in that sector, the skills are transferrable.

Good luck man. Sorry to hear about it.*

Posted by ATL on March 13, 2026, 11:22:02, in reply to "I was also freebird'ed the last week of January with my last day being the 1st of March..."

Previous Message ...it is truly terrifying when you're going through it. Best of luck to you all. Previous Message I recently parted ways with my Company and find myself on the job market for the first time since 2008. Finding the right job is a full time job and that's my mission now. I'm a engineering grad that switched career paths into business development and have had a nearly two decade stint of increasing responsibilities in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, life sciences, and health technology. As one who never asks for help from anyone, writing this message is a challenge for me, but also a sign of my personal growth I enjoy and thrive the most when I'm figuring out how to scale and deliver hyper-growth: be it to a small business looking to ramp up, or, a large business that is struggling with an existing or new offering. This likely will go nowhere, but you miss 100% of the shots you don't take, so if you or someone you know is looking for an Illini that is accustomed to being a road warrior and burning the candle at both ends to grow business, please reply or get into my box. Also - my next gig does not have to be in healthcare. I'm happy and desire to spread my wings. While much of my success has been in that sector, the skills are transferrable. “We are old and tired and just want to be taken care of.” - Republican voter, Dec. 2024.

Holy shit. Seems like you have been there forever*

Posted by gvibes on March 13, 2026, 11:02:27, in reply to "I was also freebird'ed the last week of January with my last day being the 1st of March..."

Previous Message ...it is truly terrifying when you're going through it. Best of luck to you all. Previous Message I recently parted ways with my Company and find myself on the job market for the first time since 2008. Finding the right job is a full time job and that's my mission now. I'm a engineering grad that switched career paths into business development and have had a nearly two decade stint of increasing responsibilities in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, life sciences, and health technology. As one who never asks for help from anyone, writing this message is a challenge for me, but also a sign of my personal growth I enjoy and thrive the most when I'm figuring out how to scale and deliver hyper-growth: be it to a small business looking to ramp up, or, a large business that is struggling with an existing or new offering. This likely will go nowhere, but you miss 100% of the shots you don't take, so if you or someone you know is looking for an Illini that is accustomed to being a road warrior and burning the candle at both ends to grow business, please reply or get into my box. Also - my next gig does not have to be in healthcare. I'm happy and desire to spread my wings. While much of my success has been in that sector, the skills are transferrable.

oh man, sorry to hear. please do let me know if i can help even in a small way.

Posted by torinese on March 13, 2026, 11:01:14, in reply to "I was also freebird'ed the last week of January with my last day being the 1st of March..."

best of luck on finding your next chapter! Previous Message ...it is truly terrifying when you're going through it. Best of luck to you all. Previous Message I recently parted ways with my Company and find myself on the job market for the first time since 2008. Finding the right job is a full time job and that's my mission now. I'm a engineering grad that switched career paths into business development and have had a nearly two decade stint of increasing responsibilities in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, life sciences, and health technology. As one who never asks for help from anyone, writing this message is a challenge for me, but also a sign of my personal growth I enjoy and thrive the most when I'm figuring out how to scale and deliver hyper-growth: be it to a small business looking to ramp up, or, a large business that is struggling with an existing or new offering. This likely will go nowhere, but you miss 100% of the shots you don't take, so if you or someone you know is looking for an Illini that is accustomed to being a road warrior and burning the candle at both ends to grow business, please reply or get into my box. Also - my next gig does not have to be in healthcare. I'm happy and desire to spread my wings. While much of my success has been in that sector, the skills are transferrable.

replied*

Posted by ArtVandelay on February 27, 2026, 10:55:03, in reply to "best of luck! about to enter month nine of my search, but you already have a better attitude than i "

Previous Message did! also, Q4 of 25 was brutal for job searches. will PM you... Previous Message I recently parted ways with my Company and find myself on the job market for the first time since 2008. Finding the right job is a full time job and that's my mission now. I'm a engineering grad that switched career paths into business development and have had a nearly two decade stint of increasing responsibilities in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, life sciences, and health technology. As one who never asks for help from anyone, writing this message is a challenge for me, but also a sign of my personal growth I enjoy and thrive the most when I'm figuring out how to scale and deliver hyper-growth: be it to a small business looking to ramp up, or, a large business that is struggling with an existing or new offering. This likely will go nowhere, but you miss 100% of the shots you don't take, so if you or someone you know is looking for an Illini that is accustomed to being a road warrior and burning the candle at both ends to grow business, please reply or get into my box. Also - my next gig does not have to be in healthcare. I'm happy and desire to spread my wings. While much of my success has been in that sector, the skills are transferrable.

Speculation I've seen is that this is a move they needed to make anyway, and blaming AI

Posted by doubledown on February 26, 2026, 19:25:56, in reply to "jesus, Square/CashApp parent Block laying off 50% ( 4000 ppl) on a bet on AI "

makes it seem less like they're worried about the risk of a payments business in a slowing economy, and more like they've really got something up their sleeve with their AI tooling. I guess we'll know in a year or two. Previous Message https://www.theverge.com/tech/885710/jack-dorsey-block-layoffs-job-cuts-ai Previous Message I recently parted ways with my Company and find myself on the job market for the first time since 2008. Finding the right job is a full time job and that's my mission now. I'm a engineering grad that switched career paths into business development and have had a nearly two decade stint of increasing responsibilities in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, life sciences, and health technology. As one who never asks for help from anyone, writing this message is a challenge for me, but also a sign of my personal growth I enjoy and thrive the most when I'm figuring out how to scale and deliver hyper-growth: be it to a small business looking to ramp up, or, a large business that is struggling with an existing or new offering. This likely will go nowhere, but you miss 100% of the shots you don't take, so if you or someone you know is looking for an Illini that is accustomed to being a road warrior and burning the candle at both ends to grow business, please reply or get into my box. Also - my next gig does not have to be in healthcare. I'm happy and desire to spread my wings. While much of my success has been in that sector, the skills are transferrable.

Only the beginning. I’d like to see pre and post pandemic employee numbers and

Posted by voiceofreason on February 26, 2026, 19:16:21, in reply to "jesus, Square/CashApp parent Block laying off 50% ( 4000 ppl) on a bet on AI "

see if this is just a return to the “norm” or if AI is taking these places lower than they were previously. Previous Message https://www.theverge.com/tech/885710/jack-dorsey-block-layoffs-job-cuts-ai Previous Message I recently parted ways with my Company and find myself on the job market for the first time since 2008. Finding the right job is a full time job and that's my mission now. I'm a engineering grad that switched career paths into business development and have had a nearly two decade stint of increasing responsibilities in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, life sciences, and health technology. As one who never asks for help from anyone, writing this message is a challenge for me, but also a sign of my personal growth I enjoy and thrive the most when I'm figuring out how to scale and deliver hyper-growth: be it to a small business looking to ramp up, or, a large business that is struggling with an existing or new offering. This likely will go nowhere, but you miss 100% of the shots you don't take, so if you or someone you know is looking for an Illini that is accustomed to being a road warrior and burning the candle at both ends to grow business, please reply or get into my box. Also - my next gig does not have to be in healthcare. I'm happy and desire to spread my wings. While much of my success has been in that sector, the skills are transferrable.

subscription needed ^^^^*

Posted by TarheelIllini on February 26, 2026, 19:00:10, in reply to "jesus, Square/CashApp parent Block laying off 50% ( 4000 ppl) on a bet on AI "

Previous Message https://www.theverge.com/tech/885710/jack-dorsey-block-layoffs-job-cuts-ai Previous Message I recently parted ways with my Company and find myself on the job market for the first time since 2008. Finding the right job is a full time job and that's my mission now. I'm a engineering grad that switched career paths into business development and have had a nearly two decade stint of increasing responsibilities in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, life sciences, and health technology. As one who never asks for help from anyone, writing this message is a challenge for me, but also a sign of my personal growth I enjoy and thrive the most when I'm figuring out how to scale and deliver hyper-growth: be it to a small business looking to ramp up, or, a large business that is struggling with an existing or new offering. This likely will go nowhere, but you miss 100% of the shots you don't take, so if you or someone you know is looking for an Illini that is accustomed to being a road warrior and burning the candle at both ends to grow business, please reply or get into my box. Also - my next gig does not have to be in healthcare. I'm happy and desire to spread my wings. While much of my success has been in that sector, the skills are transferrable. Recrudescence

Or, why not architecture, right?*

Posted by ArtVandelay on February 26, 2026, 12:45:26, in reply to "perhaps something in synthetic rubber materials, instead of the latex industry?*"

Previous Message Previous Message I recently parted ways with my Company and find myself on the job market for the first time since 2008. Finding the right job is a full time job and that's my mission now. I'm a engineering grad that switched career paths into business development and have had a nearly two decade stint of increasing responsibilities in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, life sciences, and health technology. As one who never asks for help from anyone, writing this message is a challenge for me, but also a sign of my personal growth I enjoy and thrive the most when I'm figuring out how to scale and deliver hyper-growth: be it to a small business looking to ramp up, or, a large business that is struggling with an existing or new offering. This likely will go nowhere, but you miss 100% of the shots you don't take, so if you or someone you know is looking for an Illini that is accustomed to being a road warrior and burning the candle at both ends to grow business, please reply or get into my box. Also - my next gig does not have to be in healthcare. I'm happy and desire to spread my wings. While much of my success has been in that sector, the skills are transferrable.

Answers inside

Posted by ArtVandelay on February 26, 2026, 13:00:43, in reply to "Questions inside"

1) Location - East Coast / Northeast but travel anywhere and everywhere extensively 2) My latest gig was bringing a startup healthcare technology from pre-revenue to revenue to growth. We commercialized a cellular-enabled handheld device that physically administered pills directly into patient's mouths and then captures answers answers to clinical questions on the very same device that gave them their dose. The answers the patient's provided enabled pharmacists and care teams to adjust treatments in real time to help patients manage their disease better and stay on drug for longer. This is critical for drugs like oral oncolytics, and it was all done with a self-contained device without the need for a phone app, bluetooth, or anything else. 3) clinical healthcare experience - I am not a clinician, I grew up north of green street with nerds. However, in my career I've had clients that are doctors, surgeons, pharmaceutical manufacturers, specialty pharmacies, and payors. Previous Message Where are you located? What have you done with health technology? Do you have clinical healthcare experience? Previous Message I recently parted ways with my Company and find myself on the job market for the first time since 2008. Finding the right job is a full time job and that's my mission now. I'm a engineering grad that switched career paths into business development and have had a nearly two decade stint of increasing responsibilities in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, life sciences, and health technology. As one who never asks for help from anyone, writing this message is a challenge for me, but also a sign of my personal growth I enjoy and thrive the most when I'm figuring out how to scale and deliver hyper-growth: be it to a small business looking to ramp up, or, a large business that is struggling with an existing or new offering. This likely will go nowhere, but you miss 100% of the shots you don't take, so if you or someone you know is looking for an Illini that is accustomed to being a road warrior and burning the candle at both ends to grow business, please reply or get into my box. Also - my next gig does not have to be in healthcare. I'm happy and desire to spread my wings. While much of my success has been in that sector, the skills are transferrable.

finance department?*

Posted by torinese on February 27, 2026, 8:39:52, in reply to "Pfizer needs help across the board*"

Previous Message Previous Message I recently parted ways with my Company and find myself on the job market for the first time since 2008. Finding the right job is a full time job and that's my mission now. I'm a engineering grad that switched career paths into business development and have had a nearly two decade stint of increasing responsibilities in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, life sciences, and health technology. As one who never asks for help from anyone, writing this message is a challenge for me, but also a sign of my personal growth I enjoy and thrive the most when I'm figuring out how to scale and deliver hyper-growth: be it to a small business looking to ramp up, or, a large business that is struggling with an existing or new offering. This likely will go nowhere, but you miss 100% of the shots you don't take, so if you or someone you know is looking for an Illini that is accustomed to being a road warrior and burning the candle at both ends to grow business, please reply or get into my box. Also - my next gig does not have to be in healthcare. I'm happy and desire to spread my wings. While much of my success has been in that sector, the skills are transferrable.

Nothing on their job boards are a fit for me*

Posted by ArtVandelay on February 26, 2026, 11:34:41, in reply to "Pfizer needs help across the board*"

Previous Message Previous Message I recently parted ways with my Company and find myself on the job market for the first time since 2008. Finding the right job is a full time job and that's my mission now. I'm a engineering grad that switched career paths into business development and have had a nearly two decade stint of increasing responsibilities in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, life sciences, and health technology. As one who never asks for help from anyone, writing this message is a challenge for me, but also a sign of my personal growth I enjoy and thrive the most when I'm figuring out how to scale and deliver hyper-growth: be it to a small business looking to ramp up, or, a large business that is struggling with an existing or new offering. This likely will go nowhere, but you miss 100% of the shots you don't take, so if you or someone you know is looking for an Illini that is accustomed to being a road warrior and burning the candle at both ends to grow business, please reply or get into my box. Also - my next gig does not have to be in healthcare. I'm happy and desire to spread my wings. While much of my success has been in that sector, the skills are transferrable.

Also... I think that canary just died.*

Posted by Chuck Woodaby on February 26, 2026, 11:11:36, in reply to "joining the job market in '08 and '26 is a real "play on Nightmare difficulty" move. Re2pect.*"

* Previous Message Previous Message I recently parted ways with my Company and find myself on the job market for the first time since 2008. Finding the right job is a full time job and that's my mission now. I'm a engineering grad that switched career paths into business development and have had a nearly two decade stint of increasing responsibilities in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, life sciences, and health technology. As one who never asks for help from anyone, writing this message is a challenge for me, but also a sign of my personal growth I enjoy and thrive the most when I'm figuring out how to scale and deliver hyper-growth: be it to a small business looking to ramp up, or, a large business that is struggling with an existing or new offering. This likely will go nowhere, but you miss 100% of the shots you don't take, so if you or someone you know is looking for an Illini that is accustomed to being a road warrior and burning the candle at both ends to grow business, please reply or get into my box. Also - my next gig does not have to be in healthcare. I'm happy and desire to spread my wings. While much of my success has been in that sector, the skills are transferrable.