After my normal gym routine and lunch with some friends, I attended 2 classes and a coaching session provided by the career transition company. The classes I chose were resume writing and interview skills. I know I'm a professional who's applied and interviewed for plenty of jobs in my day - hell, I've even given interviews for my former company for the past 4 years, but I feel like I should take advantage of whatever services are offered while I'm in between jobs. Overall, I'd say the classes were very helpful and a good use of my time. It was nice to get out of the house and focus on something career oriented, even if I'm not quite sure what that career should be.
The strangest part of my day was picking up the boxes of personal items from my former office. The career transition center is staffed with one employee from my former company. They've hired a security guard to protect her from all the crazed, disgruntled former employees trying to learn how to write good cover letters. Since I was on my honeymoon when I was supposed to pick up my personal items, she had offered to have them waiting for me when I attended my classes. There were 4 boxes, and they looked pretty heavy. Luckily, the security guard moonlights as a guy who carries boxes. On the way out to my car, we got to talking about layoffs. He said he had recently completed his master's degree, and was promptly laid off by a local oil and gas company. Somehow, knowing that the best job a highly educated guy could find in this environment was a pseudo security detail where you also had to do heavy lifting, didn't inspire much confidence. In other news, I'm sure the gal in the office would be delighted to know her security guard is ready and willing to defend her with his MBA.
Much like the highly-educated moving guy, I'm experiencing a strange sensation right now. My personality would normally be totally freaked out by my lack of a job. I can't believe I haven't been lying awake at night in a cold sweat, worrying about how many months I have until my husband and I have to sell our house and move in with his parents. For the record, we probably won't have to do that, but still, it's just the kind of irrational worry I would normally have at this stage. But for some reason, I'm feeling pretty significant peace about just existing for a while and enjoying some breathing room.
Part of me says that's really stupid, and I should stop being a hippy and get back to work. The other part, the part I'm going to listen to, says to enjoy this gift, because I've been working full time or going to school or both for the past 13 years, and I need a little break. I feel like if I rushed out and tried to find another job right now, that's exactly what I'd find, just another "job." What I'm looking for is a new career, a new reason to be excited to get up at 5am and go produce work for corporate America. It's kind of a tall order.
Thankfully, my husband is on board with me taking a little break. I'm sure in 4 months he'll feel differently, but hopefully so will I. I'm still going to be working on my resume and researching careers that seem interesting. Currently, I'm open to any path that doesn't involve me selling bodily fluids or hawking fruit at intersections. For the record, the fruit thing was totally on the table, until I figured out you have to grow the fruit yourself. I guess, by extension, that takes farming off the table too. Obviously, if a job opportunity comes my way that seems enticing, I'll pursue it. I'm just not going to panic about finding another "job" right now. And if I'm being honest, way down deep, I'm still hoping I'll win the lottery. A girl's got to have dreams.
Here are my latest updates just to prove I'm still sort of earning my keep:
Yesterday's Accomplishments
- Made the bed.
- Went to the gym and kicked my own butt for 70 minutes.
- Completed my bible study for the day.
- Cleaned the kitchen.
- Got all dressed up.
- Met some former coworkers for lunch.
- Attended 2 career transition classes - resume writing and interview skills.
- Had a meeting with my career coach.
- Made dinner - enchilada lasagna, corn casserole, and pumpkin muffins (yum!!).
- Enjoyed the evening with my husband catching up on our DVR shows.
Today's Accomplishments
- Got up at 7am (still a win even though it's later than I'd like).
- Went to the gym and worked out for 60 minutes (my legs are killing me).
- Got all dressed up.
- Went to a Weight Watchers meeting with a bunch of really old women.
- Got my new driver's license.
- Changed my car title.
- Made lunch.
- Reviewed some career transition documents and information.
- Inquired about a job (not too worried or excited about it, just something that came up).
- Wrote this blog.
- Reviewed wedding pics (Yay!!).
- Handled some budget stuff.
- Watched a movie (stay tuned for a future layoff themed film festival post).
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