New Job
The apprenticeship is over. I had fun and learned a lot. I’m not sure if I will do anything else where the techniques I used will prove useful, but you never know. I’m glad I did it regardless. Just getting there was an adventure.
Now it’s time to move on, though I’m not sure to where exactly. For now it’s to field work. I have a short term job at a wind turbine facility in Churubusco, NY. This consulting firm that had almost hired me at the end of the school year contacted me a few weeks ago and asked if I was now available and it worked out just right this time that I was. I was going to work at a facility in southern PA, but this position opened up in upstate NY, so I am headed there instead. I will be walking 10 to 15 miles a day searching for bats and birds killed by wind turbines. I don’t have many details other than that, but it sounds like relatively easy work and a great way to get in shape (yes, I’m still thin, but I am not very fit anymore); I just need to make sure I eat enough that I don’t shrivel up into nothing. The pay is $15 per hour, 20 to 30 hours per week, but housing and utilities are all paid for. The job lasts through mid November, but there is a possibility of continuing with it next February when the season starts back up if I don’t find anything else in the meantime. It’s not exactly what I was hoping for, but it’s biology at least. Hopefully it works out and will be a good experience. I won’t save much money from it, especially since I’m trying to cover health insurance and slowly pay my mother back for the pre-owned car she got me for the job.
Yes… I now have a 2001 Rav4 (title in my name)! Not my first choice in automobiles, but I was told I should have something 4WD for this job and since I needed a new vehicle anyway… there you go. The mileage is decent. We paid more than we wanted too to get something a little nicer, but we’re hoping that means it won’t be needing to go to the shop every other week for at least a couple years.
Back to the job. I will be sharing a 3 bedroom place with two other girls who have experience with this work already. The place has dial-up internet, so I won’t be online as much as I have been. The area is pretty isolated, but I’m used to that. I’m happy because it is near places I am familiar with (unlike southern PA). It’s about a half hour from Malone, which has some stores and such, about an hour from Plattsburgh, and about an hour and 20 minutes from PSC. I could also foresee-ably meet up with my brother or my friend Emily, both living in Burlington, VT when I have a day off.
I leave on Tuesday for an “interview” slash orientation.