Well, after about 8.5 months, I am going back to work

It's only temporary - a 9-month job to fill in for someone on leave. But it is a union job -- with benefits -- doing PR for a local community college. It's not a dream job. But it's pretty good and it is a relief.



This has been a heck of a five years.

I had a fairly high-paying (by my standards) job at a news radio station, when I was laid off. I was out of work for almost a year and ended up working as communications manager (at a huge reduction in salary) for a local nonprofit or just over three years.

When the nonprofit had an easily avoidable cash crunch (due to some horrendous planning and fantasy budgeting by the board and CEO), I paid the price, along with one employee in another office. That happened in mid-November and it took me this long to get the current job.

All I can say is that I hope this turns into something permanent or helps me get a permanent job. I don't think I could handle another long stint of unemployment -- not financially and not mentally.