When I was laid off from Meta 4 years ago, I didn't know what would come next. But then I pivoted to my dream career.

The author was laid off from Meta.

Courtesy of Tom Gilmartin

I spent over 10 years at Meta, joining in 2012 when the company was still called Facebook and the newly acquired Instagram team occupied just two rows of stand-up desks in a half-filled Menlo Park campus.As a global director, I helped lead a creative group launching campaigns with Marvel, Disney, Mini, Lexus, Wendy's, Activision, and a fleet of innovative agencies and brands that trusted us to bring their stories to life on our platforms. I loved my job.My team became my work family, Meta's hallways became my work home, and the security badge hanging from my belt became a big part of how I saw myself.Then, at 3 a.m., that all changed.I saw an email from the Meta Leadership Team addressed to Thomas (uh-oh, that formality must mean trouble). I opened it and read, "We've made the hard, but necessary decision to lay off 13% of the company. Unfortunately, you've been included in the layoff."Gulp. I was on the list. I was laid off from my job.I was hit with a few realizations later that morningMy first thought after absorbing the news was, "Who else on my team was affected? How can I help? Who needed to talk? Who is taking it the hardest?"