Yes, welcome to hard times. Here is what the US recession looks like at the end of November:

http://www.philadelphiafed.org/research-and-data/regional-economy/indexes/coincident/2008/CoincidentIndexes1108.pdf

The darker the red, the worse it is. So, yes the SE is being hit hard. The green areas are being supported by oil/gas drilling/refining. The bubble has burst there too with prices plunging to low levels, which destroys supply production.

The US is contracting in terms of GDP and labor (rising unemplyment). Expect CRM to do the same.

moorele: Thanks for sharing this. I would love to be told that CRM must continue, no matter what (!) Do any of you old-timers believe that, or are you expecting cuts too? A lot of us need to plan for we can do, in case of lack of jobs, so if anybody has any info, please share it. I contacted a couple of fairly big CRM companies on this topic, but didn't get any useful response.

i can't really say that I have a lot of knowledge in the area, but hopefully the new focus on infrastructure will be something positive for CRM?

Good point Bob, everyone should bone up on the historicity of the post-war built environment, as those things have or are reaching the review threshold. Those things will have to be considered just as much as the really old junk.

David,

CRM is a cyclical industry which means it responds directly to the health of the US economy; it is also overly dependent on government spending. In other words, CRM is not a "growth" industry (it does not internally create its own business & market place).

Our economy is tanking because of too much debt; the US government is technically bankrupt; its liabilities far exceed its revenues. US debt outstanding is currently 300% of GDP; in the Great Depression that ratio peaked near 125%. The government is trying to solve the problem by printing more money and spend spend spend. But that only escalates the problem (and the spending hasn't been aimed at projects that help CRM). 2009 will be a pivotal year for the US and CRM. Hopefully money will be aimed at infrastructure projects (but it may not if debt has to be paid down).

CRMers do need a backup plan; get ready to transform archaeology into another work relief program.

Good luck.

Things are definitely slowing down in my neck of the woods. The majority of our work has always been energy and transportation. Hopefully, these things will be able to withstand the recession. We also never did much in the way of housing developments, which is definitely a plus now.


At my company, we never felt the post 9/11 recession but we had layoffs in 2003. I'm not entirely sure what to make of it.

This year was still pretty rough at my company. We had small bonuses & profit sharing, no standard pay raises, and health insurance premiums that went up 20%. I suspect we'll have layoffs in 2009 but I don't know for sure...

I guess only time will tell.

If, as, and when, the economy genuinely starts to slow down, you are likely to see a lot of projects put on hold, or at the least, scaled back. This will indeed have a serious effect on CRM. However, it is not likely to be really felt for at least 6 months, giving everyone time to make contingency plans, and get good jobs as insurance sales people and waiters/waitresses. But seriously, we all need to look at where we stand, and decide if a career change, or a shift of emphasis, might not be a bad idea. The slowdown of 2003 was mentioned, which was a near disaster for those of us who were shovelbumming at the time. If this one is as bad as it is being hyped, it could be several years before things get back to the current levles of employment, if ever. Reality can be harsh, but if you are flexible, and willing to adapt to conditions as you find them, you can survive anything. But it is always good to remember the saying: If you want to make God laugh, just tell him your plans... 8-)

My guess is that the next 16 months are going to be harsh. I agree with Ryeko and FireArch. The upcoming infrastructure and green programs like solar and wind fields will likely be our saving grace, but at the same time, I've started the process of a teacher credentialing program as a plan B and any plan B that suits you is probably worth looking into for the time being. I have a somewhat secured job but have faced two meetings discussing potential layoffs thus far. It would be naive to assume that our field will not be affected negatively. It is unfortunate, but as with anything, temporary.

[quote:="Histarcher711"]I've started the process of a teacher credentialing program as a plan B and any plan B that suits you is probably worth looking into for the time being.

And remember, as the former Dictator Pancho Hernando Gonzales Enrico Rodriguez, the exiled President of the Republic of Equarico quipped, "Jyou cannot have a revolution without a Plan B!"

Gilligan's Island episode 39 "The Little Dictator."