{
  "id": 5957366,
  "title": "I got laid off from my corporate job, and it pushed me to pursue my dream of working at Spirit Halloween",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/i-got-laid-off-from-my-corporate-job-and-it-pushed-me-to-pursue-my",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-06T09:52:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/laid-off-corporate-worker-job-spirit-halloween-2026-9"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Maggie Bodner, a 28-year-old assistant manager at Spirit Halloween, was laid off from her previous corporate job and decided to pursue her dream of working at the Halloween store. As a Halloween enthusiast, Bodner feels energized after long shifts at Spirit Halloween. She applied for both an assistant manager and sales associate position, and landed the job three weeks after submitting her application. Bodner suggests that individuals in similar situations should focus on the present and do what they enjoy.\n\nBodner's love for Halloween began with the Twilight series, and she enjoys the thrill of Halloween horror nights and haunted houses. She volunteered to work a 10-hour shift and returned feeling energized and excited. Bodner praises her store manager for being a great teacher, and the in-store experience, which includes a haunted house, attracts customers of all ages. She also appreciates the benefits of working at Spirit Halloween, such as receiving 30% off merchandise.\n\nBodner emphasized that Spirit Halloween hires people who genuinely love Halloween, and the company's benefits make it an attractive place to work. She empathizes with those who have gone through layoffs, as she had initially underestimated the frequency of such events. Bodner's experience at Spirit Halloween has given her a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by job seekers. She remains open to applying for other jobs but hopes to extend her tenure at Spirit during the Halloween season.",
  "summary": "Maggie Bodner is a Halloween enthusiast who said she comes back from long shifts feeling energized.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}