That’s right, folks; as of Friday afternoon, it’s the unemployment line for mizerle06.  No, I haven’t been laid off from Sparty & Friends; instead, I’ve been given the ol’ heave-ho out the door at my Clark-Kent-job…the one that pays the bills (S&F is my Superman-job).  Luckily for me and Mrs. Mizerle06, we’ve got this stellar, shiny blogging career of mine to fall back on.  So, keep reading so I can continue to have this stellar, shiny blogging career for us to fall back on.

There’s not much that’s more American than blogging.  Unfortunately, in the currect national economic situation, it’s also very American to be laid off.  So, what could be more American than blogging about being laid off!?  That’s what I’m going to be doing for a while – here’s to hoping it’s a short while - until I find a new job.  It’ll be a laid-off-live-blog of sorts.  I pledge to use this forum to give you a fascinating insight into the events of my involuntary vacation along with some shameless self-promotion to wrap up each post; you know, just in case a prospective future employer is reading my drivel.  Oh yeah, since this here site is a sports site first, I’ll tie some sort of sports-related opinion into these posts.

First, in all seriousness, I’m proud to say that the split with my previous employer was professional and amicable, and I hold no lingering bitterness towards them.  The job I held was an interesting and compelling one, while the company I performed my duties for was a great company with great people.  I understand that it’s hard for most good people in upper-management positions to reach a point where they must determine the professional and financial fates of their staff.  I imagine it’s a gutwrenching process for many in that position, as I believe it was for my former employer in determining my fate.  I was very fortunate, and am sincerely grateful, that unlike many people in a similar situation, I was given advance warning.  I knew for almost three weeks that Friday, Feb. 27 would be my last day to punch the time clock.  It was a very discouraging and humbling reality to find out that I would be jobless soon, but I think the stress level that could have been created had I been given no prior notice and coldly told one day that I would be jobless the next would have been about 10x higher than it ultimately was.   

With all of that being considered, I can understand Jay Cutler’s frustration with the Denver Broncos, especially his new head coach, Josh McDaniels.  What I don’t understand is Cutler’s public reaction:

“They want me to come in and talk to ‘em but I’m not doing it right now; I’m going to lay low,” said Cutler. “The [Broncos] deny everything. That’s a problem. We know for a fact they tried to trade me.”

“I’m upset. I mean, I’m really shocked at this point,” Cutler told The Post. “I could see why they want Cassel. I don’t know if they think I can’t run the system or I don’t have the skills for it. Or if they don’t think they can sign me with my next contract. I just don’t know what it is. I’ve heard I’m still on the trading block.”

When factoring in my own current professional situation, who better to offer an opinion – that no one asked for – about an athlete’s reaction to a potentially forced job change than me!?  My view of my understanding of Cutler’s frustration extends to my recent experience of running what is likely a similar gauntlet of emotions that Cutler is likely currently feeling: shock, disappointment, betrayal, anger, fear, humility, helplessness, etc.  His public reaction reeks of unprofessionalism and immaturity in his attempt to magnify what he perceives as a slight from the organization considering him as trade bait.  In my own situation, my goal was to leave an impression on my former employer as being the most professional layoff they’ve ever experienced.  Because, even when dealing with a former or soon-to-be-former employer, I’m still always interviewing for a job.  I want my former employers to be able to give me an excellent reference; and, if I had made a big stink about being let go, that would have been the final mark I would have left on them. 

For a guy in the public eye such as Cutler, every promotional appearance, charitable act, interview, quote, and soundbite he gives should be considered as part of a future job interview.  Now, when his contract is up and he becomes a free agent in 2012, this reaction will stick with him and be remembered and considered by any team looking to acquire his services.

So Jay, here’s some advice from an elder (albeit by only 1.5 years) - when faced with job insecurity due to Broncos business decisions, smile and be professional; handle your business behind closed doors and not in front of the cameras and tape recorders.  Oh yeah, and stop being a Vandy douchebag!

Shameless self-promotion:
I’m now a free agent structural engineer in the Jacksonville, FL-area and willing to commute as far away as the Gainesville and Daytona areas.  I have 2 years and 10 months of experience and a MS; and, provided I can find work in a relatively quick time period, I will be eligible this May to apply for, and sit for, the October PE licensing exam.  Also, I’m actively searching for any civil engineering position that my degrees will qualify me for: structural (buildings, bridges, etc.), civil, geotechnical, transportation, etc.  So, if you’ve got a contact or would like to legitimately take a gander at my incredibly awesome resume, give me a shout at mizerle06(at)gmail(dot)com.

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