Back in August, I applied for a position in the Division of Institutional Advancement at our local university. Someone told me to give it a shot just to see what was out there - so I did. After a month I realized I wouldn’t be getting a call so I pushed it out of my mind. Then September came along and after an incident at work between two coworkers I was asked if I wanted to take on the position of Executive Assistant. While I didn’t feel like I was qualified, I said that I was open to talking more about it because it is my end goal. Well, I started doing some research on what some of the basic requirements were. I looked into training workshops both in person and virtual. Then after a few texts here and there about the job, and some questions about calendars - everything stalled.
October arrived and with it a phone call from the university to come in and speak with members of the division. After a panel interview, I was contacted a week later and they let me know that I didn’t get the job. I was totally fine with it because after the interview I knew that I couldn’t afford to take the position. The starting pay was too low and I didn’t want to take that big of a pay cut. However, that phone call led to an invitation to meet with the President of a different division. I met with other members and we spoke about my thoughts on the school and being a student. They asked me about my work history, and the role I currently had. They explained that a new position was being created but they weren’t in a huge rush to fill it. Just checking out prospects. I thanked them for their consideration, grabbed some TSU swag, and was on my way.
At the end of October, a coworker of mine suddenly passed away. By this point, all thoughts of the interview that happened earlier in the month went away. This loss was unexpected and we focused on helping the family in whatever way we could. On the business side, as we entered into November we started finalizing the details for the company Christmas party and prepping for all of the end-of-year stuff. I had already put in my time off for the holiday so I wanted to make sure I was on track to wrap up what I needed to by the time we closed for the holidays. I had discussed my Spring class schedule with my boss and I felt good about how we were ending the year. Then I received a phone call with a job offer from the non-profit associated with the university. And while I wouldn’t qualify for the certain benefits that regular employees receive, everything else was included. They told me to think it over, and to give them an answer by the end of the next day. So, what did I do? Well, I went to my boss - who has been a great boss and a really good friend. We've been through a lot in the time I've been there. So, after a discussion with him - then a lot of anxiety, I went home that afternoon and accepted the offer.
My last day was 11.18.22 and with it came a lot of emotions. Sadness, and hope. Excitement for a new adventure. And more sadness. I was in a position where I wouldn't be able to go any further, and I felt like I wanted more. I wanted to give something new a try. This new opportunity would allow me to test out those waters. It would allow me to see if I could handle working in a business professional setting. And to see if it could help me achieve that Executive Assistant dream job. So, on 11.21 I walked through the doors of a new building, wearing some more professional attire than jeans and a t-shirt, and I felt ready to tackle whatever was placed in front of me. Or so I thought...
