Saturday, February 02, 2008

Speaking of luck...

This is going to be a fairly short post. No photos, no long discussions of yarn or patterns, and no funny stories. OK, well maybe one story.

Once upon a time there was a girl who had just finished grad school. She loved what she had studied, and had really enjoyed the prestigious internship she did while in school. But despite her solid credentials, it took her over 7 months to find a job. When she did find one, it involved a long commute, but she didn't mind because that just meant more knitting time. However, after a few months in this new job, she became very bored and started to realize that there wasn't really very much for a person in that job to do, and definitely no room for taking initiative on new projects. A few months after that, the organization where she worked realized the same thing and decided to lay her off. She was very sad, but with the support of her family and friends, she got back into the job search. This time, it lasted 6 months, and when she did find something, it was only a temporary position. But it was with such a great organization, she decided to accept it anyway, and move several states away to start work.

She tried to view the temporary position as a "foot in the door" at this place she'd always wanted to work. But when the first temporary position was followed by three other temporary positions, she started to feel rather downhearted, wondering if they were just toying with her, and didn't actually like her enough to keep her around long-term. She kept applying to permanent jobs within the organization and kept getting rejected. And each new temporary position was offered just days before the previous one was due to end (or even a few days after), so she was always on edge about whether she'd have to embark on another half-year job search. It was exhausting.

But then one day, she saw an internal posting for a permanent job that really seemed like a great fit. She put a lot of thought into her cover letter, and prepared very thoroughly for her interview. Then she got a second interview, and thought she did pretty well in that. She felt hopeful, but didn't want to get too excited only to be crushed when she didn't get it. And then finally, it happened. She was offered the job. And a raise. And an office with a window, one that she finally felt authorized to decorate and really move into. And best of all, it was at this wonderful place where she'd been for a year and a half and come to love the wonderful people doing their wonderful work. She was so happy she could cry.

16 comments:

jennsquared said...

Well, Congratulations again! I'm super excited for you as well! :) I feel like I was in the search with you along the way (those google talk conversations!!!) It has been a long journey and you deserve to have some joyous tears!

Doris said...

Hooray! I've been seeing in various places about your "dream job". I was wondering where it was and if you were going to move somewhere else before we got to knit together. But I'm ready now to head to late night and you have so much to celebrate and you are staying here! Woo hoo! Email me when you are headed to late night.

Jules said...

Felicidades!!!

I´m very happy for you, that you finally have a window and a desk to decorate, and feel fulfilled at your job. All those temp jobs were just prepping you for the final, permanent, wonderful one.

goodkarma said...

Congratulations! This was meant to be...

more cows than people said...

woohoo!!!! hooray! this is fabulous news... and dear, it is not luck it is well deserved.

peace to you.

WandaWoman said...

Congratulations! That's wonderful news.

Rosemary said...

Congratulations! I can't wait to hear all about it.

Jenn said...

Congrats! That is great news!

Anonymous said...

Marvelous news! Congrats! :-)

claudia said...

Congratulations! You sure worked your butt off for that "luck".

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to that girl! I suspect it had very little to do with luck and a whole lot to do with hard, good work. Congrats!

Jessica said...

I love a happy ending! Congrats!!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!

I, too, did the 'serial temporary positions' thing for a while, and always dreaded the yearly "maybe we renew it, maybe we don't" process. That, and, having 'temporary' as part of the job title is pretty spirit-crushing.

So, again, congratulations! And I agree with claudia -- I doubt luck had much to do with it. :)

Anonymous said...

What a great story! Well written and after the first part I thought for a second it is not about you but somebody with similiar situation. I am so happy for you! Congratulations for the permanent stage of your working life and congratulations for getting a rise-more money for ....yarn perhaps?

Anonymous said...

Oh that is wonderful!! I am so happy for you. I hope to see you our and about knitting soon.

Sunflowerfairy said...

Wow! Congrats!!