So as you can see, I did not have as much time as I would have hoped to keep up with this blog throughout my final semester in college. But I guess that's not such a bad thing, that it's a sign that I really did have a good time. I must admit, my final semester was quite a blast. Actually, the entirety of senior year was a blast. While I didn't get to check off all of the items on my list from "It may be the end..." I still got through most of them and had a great time. Senior year was so great, in fact, that I had a much more difficult time leaving college than I always thought I would. The last month of school I was an emotional wreck (I was planning on writing about it, but I got a bit of writer's block...maybe it was God's sign that you all didn't need to hear about the crazy roller coaster). But now, even though I still (and always will) miss my friends and college, I've taken the next step to the real world and just finished my first full week at my new job.
The company I'm working for is basically a government contractor. My official job title? Project Support Specialist (sounds fancy, doesn't it?). I certainly can't say it's my dream job, but it does seem like a good place to start and I feel like I can learn a lot. The only down side as of right now is that it starts as a probationary intern period, so I'm getting paid, but not a full salary and no benefits. Luckily, I'm still living at home so I can manage, and even more luckily, I actually got a job. Every day I try and remember how blessed I am to have gotten something when so many of my friends are still looking.
So far, the first week has gone pretty well. I of course have no idea what's going on, but my colleagues are training me along the way and insist that it won't take long for me to get the hang of it. Everyone seems pretty nice, and I think I'll be able to adjust pretty well. But I must admit, I wasn't without my hesitations the first couple days. I realize there's a lot of work to get done, but no one seemed to say ANYTHING that wasn't work related. Not even "how was your evening yesterday?" And when someone wasn't talking about work, it was silent - no music, no conversation in the larger office that surrounds ours, nothing. Not only that, but no one had any pictures on their desk. We're currently in a square office with a blank wall and a white board with lots of numbers on it. We would have a great view of the city in our corner office with lots of windows, but it gets too hot so we have to keep some of the blinds closed. I thought I was going to lose my mind. Luckily, things turned around. Things got more relaxed with my coworkers and we actually got to talk about a few things other than work, I found out I could bring in pictures, and I may even be able to have a bit of music (final decision TBD). Looks like things are looking up.
For now, it doesn't seem too painful to be stuck in an office all day, but I think it's probably because I still have a lot to learn to keep it interesting. The reality is that this job looks like it'll keep me chained to my desk. I know I'll only be able to handle that short term, but I just have to keep reminding myself that I'll still be able to move on. Even before I started this job, I've been thinking about what I can do next, where I can go. I know I'm lucky to have a job in a crappy economy and we all have to start somewhere, and I'm fine with that. But I'm not going to let that stop me from following my dreams. I still want to see what my other career options are, still want to try living somewhere else. And yet, I'm still excited about this new start right now. I guess the most important thing to remember right now is this: we all have to start somewhere.
