- Sarah Whiteman, 26, volunteered to be laid off at Amazon in January as a part of its mass job cuts.
- She felt it was time to maneuver on to one thing else: standup comedy.
- Whiteman described what it has been like since taking the leap from desk to stage.
This as-told-to article is predicated on a transcribed dialog with Sarah Whiteman, a 26-year-old former Amazon worker who volunteered to be laid off. Insider has verified her former employment. The next has been edited for size and readability.
I joined Amazon Internet Providers as a recruiter in April 2020, after being laid off from Nordstrom’s finance division after the pandemic struck.
I completely cherished working at Amazon, and I moved into totally different roles earlier than turning into a program supervisor for a brand new group dealing with onboarding throughout all of Amazon.
I used to be requested to affix the group and I felt a bit bit out of my consolation zone initially because it was totally different to what I might finished earlier than. My annual wage was shut to 6 figures, together with shares and bonuses.
Despite the fact that it was an amazing function and I cherished the group, I volunteered to be laid off as a part of Amazon’s January 2023 layoffs. I knew it wasn’t for me and I used to be prepared to maneuver on.
I bought an elevated severance bundle that allowed me to concentrate on my ardour – comedy – till the top of March.
I feel I am humorous
Being a comic has all the time been on my bucket checklist, however it was by no means my dream job — I truly needed to be an FBI agent.
However after my pal Ashley N-G supplied me a beginner spot on her comedy present, it was time to tear the Band-Help off.
My first present, on March 6 at Rise Comedy in Denver, bought out, with about 85 official tickets bought. Since then, I’ve finished 5 exhibits and each has been totally different, however the first was essentially the most thrilling.
Performing in entrance of an viewers was thrilling, however nerve-wracking. I’ve left every present feeling both extraordinarily proud or regretting my errors: it is by no means uneventful. Whereas I might love to achieve the business, I do see it as a facet hustle.
Being a comic made me really feel extra acknowledged
I had a lot respect for comedians who frequently put themselves in entrance of strangers to be scrutinized whereas honing their abilities.
So I posted on LinkedIn about how I selected bravery following the layoffs, making an attempt out standup whereas searching for one other function. My submit went viral and issues have already modified for me since.
I went to see the comic Heather McMahon the night time after my submit, and there have been individuals who acknowledged me and needed to come back to my present.
I really feel much more acknowledged for my expertise than I did working for Amazon. I will be the enterprise girl who will get issues finished, however I may also be this complete different particular person: a humorous, charismatic particular person.
However there are additionally some hassles. I dislike how onerous it’s to get a paid gig. To get them you additionally must go to workshops and open mic nights to show you are placing within the work, hoping somebody will discover you.
And as soon as, I picked on a pair within the crowd throughout my set. I sat subsequent to them to observe the following performer and apologized for poking enjoyable at them, however the lady glared at me and mentioned “Oh don’t fret, we had been making enjoyable of you extra,” which was awkward.
It feels nice to be acknowledged for qualities outdoors the everyday enterprise realm, although. It made me understand that you do not have to stay to 1 career.
Whereas I get pleasure from performing, and I see myself doing it long-term, it is not a sensible full-time profession proper now. I am going to most likely have to mix it with a job that provides medical insurance.
