This is the second in a series of articles showing the impact of the nation's job crisis on the people of the North Country.
Tomorrow: Recent graduate can't find work in his field.
ROUSES POINT — Maria Boyer has been through a wide range of emotions since being told she would be laid off by Pfizer.
The Rouses Point resident was informed two weeks before Christmas that her last day would be March 12, which is six days after her 26th anniversary as a Wyeth/Pfizer employee.
"Even though I knew it was coming, it was still hard to hear. There's always that hope that they would keep you."
'SOME ANGER'
She's ridden the wave but is still on somewhat of an emotional roller-coaster. The days she spends training someone to do her job are especially difficult.
Boyer even had to take a brief break to compose herself during one training session.
"It's hard. I take a lot of pride in what I do. There is some anger, but I try not to show it in front of the people I'm training."
Boyer doesn't blame Pfizer. She thinks the pharmaceutical industry is, by its very nature, unstable.
"It's not the company. It's the state of the economy."
PLANNED AHEAD
Because she saw the writing on the wall when Pfizer acquired Wyeth, Boyer starting taking online courses last September.
She is studying medical coding and billing and expects to graduate July 2.
"It's a field that's exploding right now. I wanted to do something where I will, hopefully, have stability."
Boyer hopes to find a job in the North Country and is buoyed by the number of hospitals and medical offices in the region.
STAYING OPTIMISTIC
She was laid off by Wyeth in 1987, but that was only for one month. This is really the first time she will be without a job. Looking for a silver lining, she said she'll be able to study during the day.
"It's hard taking courses and working," she said, noting she is also president of the North Country Skating Club.
Boyer will be able to collect unemployment along with the Pfizer severance package. She said that should be enough to tide her over until she graduates and finds a job.
As a Quality Assurance Analyst 3, Boyer tracks materials received, enters information into a database, brings samples to the labs and maintains records on the whole process. There is some similarity with her new field of study.
DAUGHTERS' CONCERN
She and her husband are separated, and jointly continue to raise their two daughters: Megan, 17, and Emily, 14.
Boyer said her daughters' biggest concern was they would have to move away from friends and family.
Knowing their mother has a plan has helped them adjust, she said.
MOVING ON
She hopes Akrimax can pull off its plan to employ the remaining workforce when it takes control of the Rouses Point manufacturing facility.
That's vitally important for the workers and village, she said.
"I just hope Akrimax takes off. That would be a big boost for the region. It's a good workforce."
She's going to miss the people, likening Pfizer (formerly Wyeth) to a home away from home. Still, it's time to move on.
"There's life after Wyeth. That's what all my friends who have already left say."
E-mail Dan Heath at: dheath@pressrepublican.com
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