If you’re wondering why 10 million Americans are without jobs, it’s because I’m hogging them all. Somehow I got another job last week, which means I have either three or four jobs now, depending on how you count. I’ll call this #3.
At the end of last May (the exact time I started this blog), I was working on a grant proposal for one of my professors. It was extremely stressful, because I was basically doing it on my own, I knew it was for a lot of money, and I had zero experience writing grants. In September, we found out that we got the grant!
The proposal was for a series of conferences the details of which I won’t bore you with, but the relevant part is that I’ve been named the travel coordinator for the first conference. It’s nice to have a title, but the job itself sounds not fun at all. I’ll be booking individual flights for over 30 participants coming from all over the country. At least I get paid for this.
But, to be honest, I’d do it even if I had to volunteer. Succeeding in the academy is all about making connections. I never thought to say no to this job offer, because working with my professors means excellent recommendation letters and more opportunities. These relationships have to last me a long time. It’s a really small, very competitive academic world, and being a good student is not nearly enough. At least, these are the things I tell myself when I’m making copies in the only non-air conditioned room on campus, or summarizing a 500 page book into three pages.
Speaking of work, next week I have my first big girl performance review for my real job. It seems weird to call it my real job, because even though it pays most of my bills and provides we with health insurance, it’s the least stressful of them all and has the least to do with my career goals. The review should go well. My boss is insanely nice to me, and gives me more positive feedback than I even know what to do with. I love and hate being evaluated.
I’m going to be honest, and say that I feel totally ridiculous talking about things like career goals. I should leave such things to the adults.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Congrats on the grant! that’s huge!! and good luck with the review, I’m sure it’ll go well!
Hey! That’s awesome to hear! I despise my current job. Well, I can’t say that, I like the job, hate the people.Wanna give me one of yours? Let me have the Travel Coordinator. I’d like that.
Congratulations, chick. :)
Oh I feel ya! I once did 3 jobs, but couldn’t handle it for a prolonged period of time. i was just too god damn tired. you know?
either way, ‘grats!
Congrats on the new job offer (as well as all the others)! And I’m sure that the performance review will go great!
Good luck!
Yes, you apparently are hogging them all. Save some jobs for me, please.
Thanks everyone!