Upside to Layoffs? Former Whirlpool Worker Says Yes
By: Andy Schroeder
Updated: December 20, 2007
Former Whirlpool worker Roger Conrad is assembling his criminal justice credentials instead of building refrigerators. Conrad lost his job in December, 2006 when the Evansville plant downsized and cut 500 jobs. Since then, hes returned to school and is now pursuing a degree in criminal justice at Ivy Tech.
"You got to take advantage of the doors that open up, this was a door," says Conrad of losing his job. It was the third time in 10 years that hed been laid off. Without the layoff, he wouldnt have had the time or inclination to pursue this degree. Now, he says hes preparing to enter an exciting and very different career field.
"Im doing fairly well if I can say so," Conrad said.
He hopes the experiences of the last year will help him teach those recently downsized, like the 260 laid off this week by Masterbrand in Dubois County, that there is hope after losing your job.
"You really cant feel happy about being laid off," says Conrad. But he says you cant focus on things which are out of your control. "What I do with my life, I can do something about it."
