Craig Holman did what he was supposed to do.
"I went to college in Cleveland. I got an engineering degree in metallurgy, and went right into the steel mill at Bethlehem Steel," Holman said.
That was in 1977, but in January of 2008, Holman had the rug pulled out from under him.
"They saw fit to relieve me of my duties after almost 32 years. So, I wasn't laid off, I wasn't down-sized, I was fired."
Holman had survived downturns in the economy before, even in the turbulent steel industry, but this time was different.
There was a time when a worker could begin and end his career at the same steel mill in America, but the face of the steel industry is changing even faster than the economy.
Licking County Department of Job and Family Services Administrator Deb Cole said that at one time Holman's case would have been unique, but not anymore.
"We're seeing people we've never seen before, people that have had good-paying jobs that are now going to be making some tough choices, because they're probably not going to be making $25 dollars an hour in this market," said Cole.
Cole said the challenge in Licking County is changing the mindset.
Workers must come to the realization they may have to take a job making a quarter of their former salary.
Holman has already realized his future, leaving behind the ailing steel industry to start his own business in the fast-growing "green" sector.
"It's a company that specializes in home environmental improvement," said Holman.
Securing himself, and his family a greener, brighter future.
