The recent economic troubles have caused a few of us communications veterans to think back on a similar time. Remember the oil bust of the 1980s? I was newly married and freshly graduated from the University of Houston, working for The Fort Bend Mirror, a twice-weekly newspaper in Missouri City, and excited about this new financing product that could help first-time homebuyers, called an adjustable rate mortgage.
Luckily, when the mortgage adjusted, the going rate at the time was reasonable and we kept the home for 20 years. I had great fun working at the newspaper, but made no money. I then went to work for a real estate marketing firm. Not a good choice once people started losing their jobs at oil companies. Luckily, I joined IABC and checked out the Job Bank. I was only out of work for a couple of months before I landed by first corporate job at Houston Lighting & Power at the end of the decade. We all still need electricity, right?
I asked some other communicators to recall their work life in the ’80s–April Canik, ABC; Alice Brink, ABC, APR; Tracy Torma; Robin Leeder; Mark Schumann, ABC; and Karin Knapp. Here’s a look at our email conversation.
Where were you in ‘82?
April: I graduated from college in 1980 and, by 1988, had been laid off three times, from three different oil-related companies–public and private! The first layoff was a shock, but the next two were giant nudges to get out there and see what else I could learn in a different environment. After the third one, I opted to work for the Houston Chamber of Commerce, figuring it was not going to go away!
Alice: Although I was in Houston, I was working for the Coca-Cola Company and somewhat insulated from the oil industry. But in 1985, I became president of IABC/Houston. Mike Reynolds, then working for Conoco Chemicals and the IABC district director, took me to lunch and told me that if the price of oil fell below $20, IABC/Houston would fold. His rationale: so many members were employed by oil companies that if they cut staffs, we would lose the bulk of our membership. I was stunned. I went back to work, grabbed a paper and looked up the price of oil. It was in the low $20s. I watched during the next months as the price went down to $13. We lost at least half of our members, but we survived. We simplified our programs, kept things affordable and helped people network.
Tracy: At then end of 1982, I had just given birth to my first son, Thomas, and resigned from my public affairs position at Houston Lighting & Power to start freelance writing. It was at a time when companies were laying off communications staff members, but still needed communications work, so business picked up quickly for me.
Robin: I moved to Houston in 1981 from Washington, D.C. I was working on the production side of graphic design and I did not know any different. I just kept my head down, did not listen to the news and just kept on working. People can smell fear. So, I decided to not be afraid.
Mark: I chuckle when I recall that, when I hit town in 1986, the price of oil fell. Hopefully, it wasn’t in reaction to my arrival. But the next few years were tough for the city and for the profession. From those challenges emerged what is an awesome collection of communication professionals. It is amazing to look at this IABC group today and see the consistency of quality and contribution over so many years.
Karin: I was single, childless and carefree. I didn’t worry about getting laid off from Schlumberger and remember it as an exciting time. We didn’t have computers, much less email or even cell phones, and no one ever worked past 5 p.m. Houston had a huge population of young singles, and to “cope” I went to happy hour buffets.
How did IABC help you cope?
April: Thank goodness I joined IABC in 1981 and jumped in with gusto because I managed to UPGRADE postitions each time I was laid off with severance money to spare! In fact, my job with the company later known as Enron, came as a direct link from IABC as my soon-t0-be-boss was the Job Bank volunteer at that time! I left the working world in 1988 to have my first son and purposely served as the Bronze Quill chairman that year to get my name out in a big way as a foundational move to begin freelancing. I landed my first big client when the baby was four months old. I managed to put on a dress and come back for an IABC meeting at the Houstonian. Just happened to sit next to IABC guru and guest speaker of the day, Joe Williams. He called me with an assignment the next day! I did not have a computer or biz cards or anything! In fact, I went to Office Depot to get faxes for months, making sure I was going to make a “go” of it. Twenty years later, I look back feeling blessed to have an IABC network that has given me lifetime friends and consistent income. I could also add that the layoffs and job changes positioned me very well for freelancing/consulting because I experienced six different business models and industries on a fast track in eight years!
Tracy: IABC was my lifeline as I called on fellow members for freelance writing work. I landed my first big assignment, an employee newsletter, with Karin Knapp, who was over communications for Schlumberger at the time. IABC has continued to be an important lifeline for me. After 25 years in business, I can trace at least 95% of my business to an IABC member or an IABC referral.
Robin: I did not know about IABC at the time. Wish I had.
Mark: IABC was a touchstone for us. We knew that when we came to the meetings, we would see our friends. And we knew our friends would pass along any helpful suggestions or leads. In 1987 and 1988, I clearly recall how just about all my work came from people I met through the chapter. We simply believed in helping each other out.
Karin: I got involved with IABC in the mid-80s. My job was not fulfilling any more and there weren’t a lot of jobs to move to in the mid- to late-80s. I embarked on a freelance career and found a creative outlet and mentors like Tracy Torma, Carole Minor and Anne Feltus at IABC.
Does this economic downturn seem like deja vu?
April: The longer I live, the more I believe it’s WHO you know! Houston is cushioned from the worst of the economic woes, so I know it won’t be long until people flock here AGAIN in droves to access our nice little world.
Alice: It feels like something I know I can survive because I’ve been through tough times before and survived.
Tracy: We’ve weathered economic downturns in the past, so I’m confident that this year will be no exception!
Robin: No, it does not feel the same. I lived on a street where seven out of nine houses were foreclosed on. We learned a lot from the past. And Houston is more balanced in terms of economics than it was back then.
Karin: This downturn seems worse, deeper. For one thing, I’m paying closer attention. For another, I have a mortgage and health care premiums to pay and a son who will want to go to college in a few years. As a freelancer, I’m resourceful and self-reliant, which are good qualities to have when there’s a lot of uncertainty. I’m working on the Southern Region Conference that IABC/Houston is hosting. The prospect of working on a big, creative project with fun, like-minded communicators is just the counterbalance I need to the economic doom and gloom!
Notice a common theme? Now, more than ever, you’ll want to keep that IABC membership current and jump into some volunteer projects. We’re in this together.
Posted by iabchouston2008 