Friday, May 28, 2010

Livin' on dreams and Spaghettios...

Okay, no I'm not. Though between you and me, I kind of love Spaghettios.

But anyway, there's a Martina McBride song, "This One's for the Girls" that features the line about 25-year-olds, just trying to get by, eating crap food, and "wondering where your life is gonna go."

Well, I'm 2 for 3 on that. Kudos to me for kicking ass on eating well lately. Minus yesterday's chocolate binge. But that doesn't count...I was celebrating, because I GOT A NEW JOB. Celebratory calories don't count, everyone knows that. But about the job...I said I was going to look for full time employment, and that's what I did. I interviewed for a couple of administrative positions, editorial assistant positions, etc. I learned an invaluable lesson in that process: If the job doesn't inspire the crap out of me, I will give a shitty interview, period.

So yesterday, I interviewed for a job that would involve working with kids (and some adults) with learning disabilities and neurological/developmental disorders. The center uses a method that addresses cognitive issues hindering their reading/reading comprehension. The day of a clinician essentially is working one on one with students for an hour at a time...same kids, every day. They WANT you to get attached, they WANT you to get invested, they want you to CARE. During my interview, I drew mostly upon my experience with the little guy I nanny, who is on the autism spectrum. It hit me, as I babbled, all giddy, about how much I adore and have loved working with this awesome kid, that I was NAILING the interview. Not because I'm some amazing interview subject, but because I am PASSIONATE about the job I'm seeking.

Two hours later, the center director called to tell me she was very impressed, and would like to offer me a position. Done and done. The job does not pay well. It does not include benefits for the summer, and I'm not guaranteed (but will probably have) a position in the fall. Benefits kick in then, but it's not glamorous or particularly lucrative. No expense account or business trips, client dinners or health club memberships. And I couldn't be happier or more at peace. I won't be making a lot of money, but I'll be making enough. And I'll be able to go to work each morning and leave work each day knowing I did something GOOD.

Sigh. Love how things turn around. Lest I forget, I will say it now: I am a blessed and grateful woman.

5 comments:

♥ Kathy said...

Congratulations sweetie!! I'm so happy for you ♥

Jess said...

Thank you Kathy!!! I am soooo looking forward to it. Other than the whole 8 full hours of work thing. That's likely to suck.

Unknown said...

Congratulations! That sounds incredible. Good luck.

(Look at me, leaving a comment here!)

Jess said...

Michael, I am thoroughly impressed!!!!!!

Maxine said...

So glad you found a career you can apply your fabulousness to. Enjoy the summer - crossing fingers that it all works out of the fall!