A UC Berkeley graduate reports being laid off shortly after graduation despite having a job lined up. The person says the unexpected layoff left them feeling unmoored and prompted a change in approach. Rather than waiting for referrals or formal applications, they pivot to directly contacting companies. According to the account, they begin cold emailing potential employers as a way to broaden opportunities and accelerate the job search. The graduate frames cold emailing as a practical strategy to reach out to companies proactively after the initial setback. While the sources focus on the individual experience rather than broader labor market trends, they describe a sequence of events: graduation with an employment commitment, rapid job loss, followed by a shift in job-search tactics. The reports emphasize the graduate’s decision to adjust their career direction and use direct outreach to secure the next position.