Graduation Day

Yesterday, April 17th, 2009, I graduated.

Puzzled, you ask yourself, "Didn't he graduate back in '95 at the U of MN?" Maybe you were there and remember the beautiful June day and all the flowers and green on the Twin Cities campus.

Ok, so it wasn't an official graduation---and the cap & gown and diploma existed only in my imagination. But to me, they were very real.

You see, my job at Deloitte ended yesterday, two weeks after it was announced that our entire department nationwide was undergoing a "Corporate Realignment" which would close all "satellite" offices, like ours beginning April 17th.

I am grateful that I was able to work hard, sprinting until the very very end. In fact, I had to turn away work requests that came through just 45 minutes before my scheduled exit-interview where I would turn in my laptop computer. I have nothing to be ashamed about.

And the sendoff was utterly amazing. Such an outpouring of support and encouragement and reassurance that this was in no way performance-related.

Finally, the support that Deloitte offers to its employees in transition also astounds me. I have a job coach who is helping me with my resume and there are countless resources made available.




So...I look at this is graduating, all over again. Deloitte offered me tremendous training opportunities and I have learned much indeed. Now, with cap and gown (imaginary as they are), and diploma in hand, I am not set out into the world to go and make good.

And I'm ready.

Join me on this journey...I'm sure it will prove to be exciting...and challenging.