I Turned My Passion Into a Career

I never thought to include block printmaking as a job skill.

I worked for the one of the largest vinyl record manufacturers in the US. I was a salesman shepherding musicians through the vinyl pressing process. I witnessed the 2007 resurgence of vinyl and was amazed to see records take off like it was the 60's again. Then everything changed. Digital music sales took over causing CD and vinyl sales to plummet. The music industry went into free fall.

The company where I worked struggled to make payroll. The layoffs began in April, 2014. At first it was a few shipping clerks. By summer, two dozen workers had been let go. The firings always happened on Friday. As we neared the end of each week, everyone held their breath waiting for their name to be called. Mine was called in September. I was given two weeks severance and a thank you for my decade of hard work. The owner had been a friend. This made it even harder.

With little savings, I had to find work fast. I’d last searched for a job in the 90's and had no idea where to start. I made a list of my job skills: advanced sales training, creative writing, marketing, and a good ear for music. The truth was I was tired of sales and marketing and wanted a new direction.

But where? And how?

I woke at dawn each day eager to find work. I did everything an unemployed person is supposed to do. I crafted a new resume, scanned online…