Take a bow @John Borum ! Congratulations on your new role! Someone got an awesome professional! Here’s the chat so had recently with John! https://www.linkedin.com/posts/teja-mcdaniel_he-used-linkedin-to-land-a-financial-advisor-activity-7450324500455493632-EjMX?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&rcm=ACoAAALd_ioBH44URohXjkWieY_qu0WPgmdlqS8

Someone snagged a fantastic Brand and Marketing Leader! They got a great one! Congratulations @Deborah Zahm on your new Vice President role!

A month ago, I recently got back into game development after a year hiatus. The hiatus was largely do to burn out from lack of momentum from being able to find a job or finishing any of my personal projects. After speaking to a few of my newly formed connections and Teja, I decided to enter the Bad Ideas Game Jam that began on March 1st. The theme of the Jam was Outside the Box. Now without ado, I bring you the results of a month of labor and love. Introducing Vacation Hours! In Vacation Hours, you play as disgruntled employee sick of working in your cubical, aka your box, and you’re desperate for a vacation. However, this workspace has unique barriers when it comes to taking time off. After all sometimes to get your vacation time, you’ll have to fight for it! Below are link to the itch.io page. Please repost and share with your friends. Also please go vote and help my team and I get to 1st place! Environmental Art and Level Design done by Kathryn Ollmann and Character and Props 3D models done by Simon Li. Player functionality and UI were created by Lucv7. Sound Design was done by Pavlo Treba. I myself was responsible for making three types of Enemy AI: Melee, Ranged, and a Enemy that switches between melee and ranged states with a homing ranged attack as well as level streaming. Thank you to everyone who gave their advice, encouragement, and support during this experience. I really appreciate and I hope to be making posts like this one more often. https://kat-rat-a-tat.itch.io/vacation-hours #badideasjam #vacationhours

So, I reposted a post from NYSDOL about workshops on my LinkedIn page. Keep networking even if scammers respond to you!

I received an exciting invitation to attend an in-person interview working for the State next week. I do have have some reservations about it though. The interview will be a group interview. I despise group interviews, as I feel it does not pay the proper respect to the individual who makes efforts and pays for transportation to attend an interview. Group interviews also do not allow for the candidate to to ask questions in private that should not be heard by a room full of strangers. Group interviews also do not allow for the candidate to really stand out and be their best self. Another point: They are distracting. Of course I will still attend the interview. If I am offered a position, there are pros and cons as well. PRO: 1.Secure income, after the long training period, 2. I can apply for accommodations to work from home. 3.Securing a State Pension and State health benefits are also a plus. 4. It can be a good opportunity to lead into something else. 1. It is better than sitting and not working.... I really need to work, I generally love working. Cons: 1.The Biggest hurdle - there is a 6 week delay in receiving the first paycheck for NYS Jobs. Being unemployed and no savings left to survive on; I absolutely cannot keep a roof over my head or pay to get to training with NO income for 6 weeks. 1. The job pays a considerable amount less than what I have made previously. 2. No flexibility with my work schedule. 3. The population I would be working with will be bad for my overall mental health.... but at least I would have state benefits to afford the psych appointments and what ever meds I'll need to put up with the stress. If offered, I would have to take the risk of the job. Like, under NYSDOL UI regulations to remain in compliance of the UI Benefits I would have to accept the job.