Exit, pursued by student loans (a small plea for help) 10

As of yesterday, I no longer have a job. I wish I could say this is because I’ve spontaneously become independently wealthy, but that’s not the case. I worked in the petroleum industry, and all you have to do is take a look at the per-barrel price of oil over the last year to understand why I’m suddenly without employment.

I’m doing my best to be positive about this. I’m not in a bad place financially, I’ve been unemployed before and I know what I need to do. And I’m going to take this as an opportunity to move back to Colorado and start my life back up there. So hey, you don’t have to listen to me bitch about how I’m Not The Target Audience for Texas any more, and that’s a good thing too. It’s a chance to move into a new phase of life and career, it just would have been kind of nice if I’d taken the leap myself instead of being, you know, pushed.

And this is why I’m writing this blog post. I need your help. Like I said, financial situation isn’t dire, this isn’t an emergency plea, but I also no longer have an income as such. If you like what I do as a writer, please consider supporting me via Patreon, or tip me to the tune of a coffee:
Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com

I’m going to have a lot more time to write now, so if there’s stuff you’d like to see on the Patreon other than my incoherent movie notes, I’m very open to suggestions. I have netflix, a will to live blog, and an unending well of sarcasm.

Beyond that, I’m really looking to pick up freelance work. Obviously I’ve mostly written short stories, but I’ve also got a little screenwriting under my belt (including a year worth of courses at the UCLA extension) and am looking to pick up some more experience there. I can write reviews, and I promise I can adhere to house style just fine and refrain from dropping f-bombs as necessary. If you hear about anyone [who PAYS] looking for writers, please tell me.

I am also still applying for geoscience jobs, though those are hard to come by right now because there are a lot of geologists like me out of work. If you live in Colorado and hear about any jobs, please let me know so I can apply. I can even do field geology or mud logging, I’m totally fine with those things.

This is honestly pretty scary for me, and asking for help like this isn’t something I wanted to do. I’m really sad to have lost a job that I frankly loved (and coworkers that I adored), but I’m going to do my best to keep a positive attitude and move forward. Thank you, everyone. <3

(PS: Adorable cat gifs appreciated as well.)

10 thoughts on “Exit, pursued by student loans (a small plea for help)

  1. Reply JohnD Mar 23,2016 17:07

    Crap. Crappy crap crap.

    I can definitely sympathize; I officially get laid off in three weeks (I’ve been on terminal leave for five weeks thus far). And it is scary hard to find a job in the oil patch right now. But you have a secret weapon – actually, you have two.

    One, you are very good at your job and are reasonably well-known in the field. That will help you find a job, sure as shooting.

    Two, you are an excellent communicator. Not only does this make you more desirable in the oil patch, but it opens up a second career opportunity in academia. There are probably positions open for folks like you in the local community colleges (I’ve been looking at some in OKC). In addition, you could jump to the NSF; they are looking for folks with your practical background to help run projects.

    In any case, I am sorry that this has happened to you but I know that you will land on your feet because you are simply that darn good.

  2. Reply Paul Weimer Mar 23,2016 17:34

    Crappity Crap Crap. I’m sorry, Rachael.

  3. Reply Chris M Mar 23,2016 18:16

    Sometimes a push is a good thing. It was for me… Embrace it and enjoy it!

  4. Reply trishmatson Mar 23,2016 21:30

    Oh, no, I’m sorry to hear this. Good luck.

  5. Reply decayingorbits Mar 26,2016 18:32

    Sorry to hear about this bump in the road, but know this: you are going to be fine. And I applaud your decision to return to Colorado. Begin again.

    Rebuild, Reinvent.

    Re-You.

  6. Reply mCw Mar 27,2016 23:33

    Try scripted.com for freelance writing in many fields. Scope out freedomwithwriting.com, you never know what you’ll find there.

    Write on,

    M

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