I was laid off from my banking job at 55 and left corporate America to build my own AI consultancy. Here's what I learned in the process.

Tech Insider : Business, Technology
Kristina Martinelli headshot.

Photo courtesy of Kristina Martinelli

A year ago, I was laid off from my job abroad. Being an unemployed foreigner has been hard, but also exciting.

Tech Insider : Business
The writer wearing a white dress with blurry trees in the background.
Losing my job in Germany brought on an identity crisis.

Anna Dodd

I'm turning 40, and people keep asking why I don't have children. I have a lot of reasons.

Tech Insider : Business
The author poses on a vista overlooking a city.
Victoria Peel Yates

Courtesy of Victoria Peel Yates.

I was laid off from Oracle after almost 10 years. It felt cold, but it taught me an important lesson about priorities.

Tech Insider : Business
Pamela Price smiling in a headshot with a tan background, a dark navy blue blazer, a white blouse, and pearls.
Pamela Price heard rumors about possible layoffs at Oracle, but didn't think she would be affected.

Courtesy of Pamela Price

I was a laid-off software engineer who pivoted into blue-collar work because of AI. One year in, I couldn't be happier.

Tech Insider : Business
Tabby Toney's headshot after work and an image of her in uniform welding.
Tabby Toney was laid off from her tech role and started her welding job immediately after completing her certification.

Courtesy of Tabby Toney

I was a Meta HR manager before getting laid off. If I could speak to my younger self, here's what I'd tell her.

Tech Insider : Business
Chikara Kennedy, headshot in a business dress suit.
Chikara Kennedy founded her own company after being laid off from Meta.

Courtesy Chikara Kennedy

I've applied to over 500 jobs in the 11 months since my layoff. I lost hot water and started a GoFundMe.

Tech Insider : Business
Valerie Lockhart
Valerie Lockhart

Valerie Lockhart

I moved my family to Korea for a job. Then I got laid off — and I'm still glad we came.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Man wearing a backback with his daughter being carried.
Bart Schaneman accepted a job in Seoul, and mad the move with his wife and daughter.

Provided by Bart Schaneman

I want a prenup, but my fiancée won't even discuss it. How do I get her to sign the papers?

Tech Insider : Business

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hands signing a piece of paper

skynesher/Getty Images

My husband was laid off almost a year ago, so I'm now both the breadwinner and default parent. I sometimes resent him.

Tech Insider : Economy, Business, Travel
a distraught couple looking at their finances at the kitchen table
The author (not pictured) is now the breadwinner after her husband was laid off.

Jacob Wackerhausen/Getty Images

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