While many Americans are busy climbing the corporate ladder, there’s one nagging fear that tends to keep them up at night: tumbling right back down.
That’s exactly what happened to Bela Bajaria, now chief content officer at Netflix. Long before she held, arguably, one of the most coveted titles in entertainment, she faced what she called a “big public failure” in a recent interview with CNBC’s Julia Boorstin at the recent 2025 Changemakers Summit in Los Angeles.
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And, in hindsight, it was her “greatest learning lesson.” In other words, she lived out every corporate worker’s worst nightmare: getting fired for all to see.
Before Netflix, Bajaria was president of Universal Television, where she brought in heavyweights like Tina Fey and Mike Schur. But as she told The Cut, rising tensions between the network and the studio led to her unceremonious exit. Turns out, getting fired wasn’t her finish line — it was her new beginning.
Fired but not finished
The months after Bajaria’s firing were anything but easy. She remembers the gut-wrenching moment of coming home and telling her three children she’d lost her job — a moment layered with the sting of personal failure, especially after working so hard to be a role model for them.
While the fallout from losing a high-profile position was heavy, Bajaria didn’t let it define her. Instead, she found space to reflect on her career and take pride in the hard work that had gotten her that far.
“It was a painful period to be fired and own that, but there was lots of growth and learning, which I would not trade,” she told The Cut.
Her story hits close to home for many Americans today. Since the start of 2025, roughly 5 million people have faced layoffs — whether from company downsizing, closures or performance cuts, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But Bajaria’s experience is a reminder that getting fired isn’t just about failure — it can be the first step toward something bigger.
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Learning to lose
Bajaria was understandably shaken after losing her role at Universal, but what surprised her most was the reaction she got afterward.
“I quickly realized, as the phone rang and I got job offers, and everybody reached out, and people were really supportive — it all mattered. The way I treated people, what I had done, the impact I left — it all mattered,” she told Boorstin. In other words: your reputation sticks long after the pink slip lands.
No matter how early you clock in or how many extra projects you take on, some things are simply out of your control. But what’s in your control is how you prepare for and bounce back from that uncertainty.
One of the smartest moves you can make is building a financial safety net.
According to Ramsey Solutions, you should have an emergency fund to cover three to six months of living expenses. You can start by setting aside small amounts — an extra $50 or $100 per paycheck — into a high-yield savings account. Even a modest cushion can keep you afloat during unexpected hardships.
It’s also important to stay in touch with your network. Bajaria’s story proves that relationships matter a lot. Even if you’re not actively job-hunting, make it a habit to check in with former colleagues, attend industry events or shoot off the occasional message on LinkedIn. Your network can be your lifeline when things get rocky — so don’t wait until you’re in crisis mode to start nurturing those connections.
And while you’re at it, consider diversifying your income streams. No matter how stable your nine-to-five feels, having a side hustle or freelance gig can add an extra layer of security. Whether it’s consulting, tutoring or monetizing a hobby, that additional cash flow can help bridge the gap during rough patches.
Bajaria’s experience is proof that while getting fired stings, it doesn’t have to define your career.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
