Feb 09, 2012 20:21
A mix of nervousness, great worry, and excitement--be still, my heart.
Today was the last day of my job, as I was contracted until this coming Monday but not scheduled to work then. I served nearly two years as a student employee of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, one of the all-around best gigs I’ve ever had and my first truly great resume-builder. When I arrived at the compound this morning, I felt much the same as I did on my first real day of work there-tingling with excitement over the opportunity to start something new and significant. As troubled as I am to be unemployed when I already live so close to the bone, the days ahead are full of potential and opportunity. I’m hoping that being so much better-connected in the natural resources community, it won’t be too long before I’m employed again in the field, and that my rudimentary government experience and GIS skills will give me that much more of a competitive edge.
That optimistic, thrilling feeling of thirty-two-ness returned today as I anticipated the free days ahead to be the time for getting my head together and launching a proper job search. The possibilities have been swirling in my head all day: I desperately need a steady job, but now I have more time for homework. I could spend hours a day reading for my literature class. I could crank out as many craft projects as I could stand, list them on Etsy, and hope that people buy them. I could work random temporary gigs for fun and cash while I search for “real” work (scooping ice cream at the 2009 county fair was pretty fun!). I could catch up on a self-paced online course that needs attention. I could volunteer for an environmental or agricultural entity to get some experience and get my name out there. I have time now for yoga and other earthy activities, or volunteering at church. Ah, the possibilities!
I promise you that the stress over not having a paycheck will probably override any ideas to make plans for more “creative” endeavors, but for the moment, I think I will just enjoy this blank new chapter in the Story of Beth’s Reinvention. Perhaps there will be some more blogging during this free time, too, and I will share my musings on these matters with everybody and nobody.