Oh heyyyyyy! I hope this blog post finds you well. The past eight weeks have been interesting for me. I say interesting because I don’t want to come right out and say sucky. Oh wait, I just did…oops! Ah, I’m joking. It hasn’t been all bad. It has a happy ending and that is all that matters.
After ending my time as a long-term substitute school counselor at a school I loved, working with people I loved -I was on the hunt for another job. As you may or may not know (depending on how long you have been reading) I finished my Master’s Degree in May, officially making me a School Guidance Counselor. Pretty much the job I have been working towards since I graduated High School over 10 years ago. Yeah…just typing that made me feel old. I spent the summer working for a program run by Massachusetts General Hospital for teens and young adults with Asperger’s. It was a fun job, but it was a summer job. All summer I applied for School Counseling jobs. Now it is no secret our economy is rough shape and jobs are hard to find and hard to hold on to. This has been especially true in my field for several years. I had been trying to mentally prepare myself for the idea that I:
- Might not get a full-time job as a school counselor this school year.
- Might not get a job as a school counselor AT ALL this school year.
- Might have to take a job back in High Education (where I worked for the past 8 years) for a year or two until I found a School Counselor position.
- Might have to take a job I was grossly over qualified for.
- Might not get a full-time job at all.
- Might have to piece together several part-time jobs to make ends meet.
However, if you have read this blog even once you are well aware that I am an eternal optimist sometimes to a fault. So as I was preparing myself for the several possible realities, I still only half believed them. Then I was informed that I was on the very short list (of 2 people) for a full-time School Counseling position in a district I would LOVE to work in. I tried got to get excited even though things looked great. But try as you might:
the possibility of me getting a job I feel is perfect for me + my natural optimism = EXCITEMENT…and lots of it!
Alas, I got an email one late August afternoon saying that the other candidate was chosen. I think coming in number 2 is worse than coming in dead last, because you know you were so damn close. I think my heart sank to my feet in that moment. It came about 30 minutes before the “girls night” I was hosting was about to start. I let myself be sad, disappointed and cried a little on my husband’s (beautifully broad) shoulder. Before I looked at myself in the mirror and said, “Pour some wine, put on red lipstick and pull yourself together.” No one likes a weepy hostess! If you have a really bad day, a girl’s night is just what the doctor ordered. I sat in my kitchen with 6 of my closest girlfriends. It was the instant anti-depressant. I am a lucky girl. I am also a grateful girl.
So, what did I do? Well, for 8 weeks I did #6. I pieced together several part-time jobs to make ends meet:
- Restaurant hostess: which when you work at a popular restaurant that also happens to be small is A LOT like counseling and my caseload was up for 35 people a night
- “Tutor”: I worked with an incredible young man with Asperber’s as his- homework helper, personal organizer, Facebook tour guide, driver, confidant, sous chef (he is an amazing cook), dog walking assistant and nerf gun target.
- Wedding reception waitress: This only happened once. It was fun.I wore all black and spent the whole time covered in bright red heirloom tomato soup. #Slob
- Psychic Hotline “Psychic”: I could work from home whenever I wanted and was really good I convincing people they were going to win the lottery or should cut thick bangs. #MissCleo
Ok…the last one is not true. I was not a hotline psychic. But I know I would be good at it. Miss Cleo, call me!
I wore a lot of hats. I had a crazy and very undesirable schedule. But I am used to juggling a few different things as I live to have several ball in the air at once. All the while friends and family told me, “It will work out!” “Something will shake loose!” “A year from now you will look back and laugh!” And you know what, I believed it. I really did. I had every reason not to. But somehow I did. It was tough, I had bills to pay and I was stressed. Where there times I was convinced I lived under a black cloud? Yup! But here is what got me through:
- I was determined to be happy. Happiness lies in a place where you count your blessings while everyone else is whining about how they got dealt a sucky hand.
- I worked hard. I sacrificed. I missed several nights with my husband friends and family to work. I took ANY shift I could and any job I got offered. I was not “too good” for anything. I quit crossfit- too pricey. No more shopping, fancy coffee, grabbing a drink with friends, meeting for lunch, going to the movies, registering for races, expensive shampoos, pedicures.
- I prayed.
- I applied every day for as many jobs as I could find.
- I remained optimistic. I knew that if I worked hard, counted my blessings and put positivity out into the universe it would come back to me.
Last week the school I had interviewed with in summer called me offering me a position. They had an unexpected opening. I accepted. I am starting very soon and I am elated. I think I have smiled non-stop since I verbally accepted that offer.
Looking back these last few months have been interesting and humbling. I have learned a lot about disappointment and victory, hard work and sacrifice. I have learned a lot about my friendships, my family and my marriage. I have learned that when it gets tough I have a lot of people around me that will help, understand and keep me positive. I am grateful. I’m not saying I was glad I experienced this. It was not fun. But I have learned to value what I have and who I have in my life. My ego took a hit for a while, but looking back on how I handled it makes me more confident and more proud of who I am.
Oh…and here is my breakfast today
2 kashi waffles, 1 banana sliced, chopped walnuts, natural syrup and pumpkin coffee with half and half.
Thanks for bearing with my weird and sometimes non-existent blogging. Thanks for your emails, tweets and comments.
See ya soon,
Ali xoxox
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A psychic? Really?! Talk about being underemployed! We both know down right well that you’d be a much better rumpologist. Just like Stallone’s mom.
I think I almost passed out laughing after reading this comment. So true…so true!
Congrats, Ali! Excited for you to be doing what you’ve worked so hard to do.
Thanks, Lauren!!!! I appreciate that!
You are my fav! I’m so proud of you, and hope to be as optimistic as you are someday!! You deserve the very best, because you give that, and more, to whomever crosses your path! P.S- make me breakfast!! love you!!!!
I’ll make you breakfast any day!:) Love you
So glad you have found something that you love. It’s scary not knowing your place, mainly because you start to loose a sense of who you are. It sounds like you always stayed focused and kept your goals in mind. So happy for you Allie!
Welcome back pretty lady!
Thanks, Jess
First, this is such a treat to find your post in my news feed Yay! Thanks for sharing your experience and I am smiling ever since you told about ur job too! I really relate to how you went about earning income. I recently took a job I was overqualified for but it turns out, not really. I work with senior citizens teaching them how to use computers, internet, and social media. Its inspiring to sit with a woman in her 90′s who has enthusiasm to learn something new. Its also very exciting to see the seniors build their portfolio of stories and poetry that they have written over a lifetime. I even helped a senior find his son! I think being willing and open to how some thing might add to your life is key too. I am also starting an at home job as you know which is a dream, since I am writing my thesis for for my master program and need the time. Its great pay and 40 hours. It also gave me time to be a Confirmation teacher at my parish. It gets a little chaotic to keep all the balls in the air but a good calendar and commitment to it, makes it all work.
You are such an inspiration to me!
xoxo
Stacey
Stacey- Your comments are always so thoughtful and inspiring. You inspire me everyday! I am so grateful that things are working out for both of us. It has been a hard road for us both of us. I am so excited to hear you will be a confirmation teacher! You will be so good for that role. I wish you were around when I was making my confirmation! I was petrified of our teacher!!!! Can’t wait to hear more about all of the roles you are taking on. You are a Superwoman!!!!
What an experience is right but I love reading your upbeat summary of it–sounds like it really taught you a lot and I am SO glad to read that your prayers and hopes were answered. Congrats on the new job and finally getting into the field you love!
Congratulations! Good for you for sticking with it. I recently moves to Seattle from Boston and I am only working about 10 hours a week for the Boston company I left. I am sending out resumes everyday and have had 5 interviews, but no offers yet. Hopefully something will click soon.
Sending good vibes to you. And something will click soon. I know it is hard to believe that right now, but it will work out. Good Luck!
Hi!
Random blog reader. I just loved this post. Definitely gave me hope. I’m currently doing any random part time job that I can right now still looking for a full time position. I’m going to have to write down some of your optimistic pointers. So happy for you! 
I am sending good vibes your way! Something will work out! Trust that.
Congrats!! You must be so relieved. I recently graduated as well and got my first job (mental health counselor in a high school). For me it is overwhelming at times – so if you ever want to chat about cases let me know! Congrats again and good luck!
Michelle- Thanks for the offer! I am sure it will be helpful to have someone to collaborate with/bounce ideas off of. Let’s stay in touch
OMG congrats on getting a new position! I’m sure you will totally rock it. Staying faithful and positive is key. Good for you!
It makes me so happy that you are taking this as a learning experience. 2 years ago my husband graduated with a masters and was unable to find a steady income for about a year. It was tough for him, and me, but I think it made us a stronger couple. So glad you are able to come up for air now!
Cara- Coming up for air is a GREAT way to put it. That is exactly how it feels. And yes, I think it has made us a stronger couple too! Thanks for sharing your experience
Good to know we are not alone!
Glad to see that you are back. You totally had me with the part-time psychic job!
Hahaha! Really? You weren’t the only one. I got emails asking me how I got into tele-psychicing. People might have missed that it was a joke!
I am glad you are back
Congrats on the job!
Thanks, Lindsey! Glad to be back
What an inspirational post!
Your post just made me cry! I am going through a frustrating/unhappy time with my career as well, being a newly registered nurse, yet still working as a nursing assisstant and feeling slightly taken advantage of. I have always waitressed/bartended on the side and at present, would sooner do that than be unhappy where I am. It is nice to hear you picked up a similar part time jobs to fill your time and keep occupied! Many of my friends and family are encouraging believing “something will give”, optimisim is key for me, regardless of how down you may feel about the present. Thank you for this inspiring post!
And regarding your most recent post, I hope Steve was your bartender at Oye’s cause he’s hilarious! haha
Jackie- I totally understand how you feel! Something will work out, just stay positive. I am sending good vibes and prayers your way!!!
Thank you for sharing your story. I can relate so much to what you said b/c I’m going through the same thing myself. For 6 weeks now I have beenpounding the pavement looking for a job and things look absolutely glim. It’s truly a humbling experience. I miss the shear idea of getting up in the morning and having a purpose. My job doesn’t define me but it is a huge piece of my life. Thanks again!