Well, my work situation seems be developing quite interestingly:
About two months ago, I went back to Erlanger to return some things I had not yet returned from when I was volunteering as an interpreter. I did this hoping that my visit might spark some momentum towards a job – and it did! Currently, I am already practically hired to work part-time/as-needed as a “clinical interpreter.” I applied, finished the paperwork, was interviewed, did a physical exam yesterday, and visited the HR department. All that’s left is to hear back from the HR with an official “everything is in order and the job is yours,” and then attending orientation (for which I am already scheduled to attend May 7-8 🙂 ). This part-time/as-needed job could potentially become a full-time job in July pending budget approval in June.
Also, I met last week with the pastor I work for, Eric Youngblood, and one of the elders. Over lunch we discussed my performance over the past year — with which they were very pleased 😀 — and future possibilities. They officially offered for me to work full-time at the church, which would obviously entail a broadening of my responsibilities. My extra responsibilities (and this is very general and in my own words) would basically entail becoming increasingly the administrative hub of the church. The way it was described, it made room for more creative activity and increasing interaction with the members of the church. Eric and the elder left the ball in my court, so to speak, saying that I could think over the offer and get back to them. I didn’t get the impression that they were trying to rush a decision from me, but said I could start working full-time tomorrow!
Please pray for me. I need wisdom to know what to do because I’m faced with two good choices. Administration doesn’t come naturally to me and, on the one hand, I’m getting weary of it. On the other hand, I’m learning a lot (I think) from working at Rock Creek Fellowship and I would surely be stretched and grow if I were to work there full-time. The interpreter job should be challenging and fun, but I have yet to see whether it would be something I would enjoy full-time.
To make things ever more confusing, I’ve recently felt a very strong urge to be creative: in music, in web design, and especially in ecology and landscaping (i.e. wholistic gardenging-bird-watching-horticulture-what-cha-ma-call-it). Oh, and playing professional soccer would be fun, too, but that’s only a dream 😀
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Lots of exciting options! I have been and will now very specifically pray. I’ll think about it more and give you some thoughts.
Which one will provide the best Health Insurance or other benefits? I know that is a concern for you. On the one hand, the Translation position would lead to greater opportunities and greater earnings potential in the future (if that is important). On the other hand, the position at the church will require less of a commute and perhaps less stress overall, leaving you with more opportunity to pursue your hobbies and creative passions. One of the most important points about this position is how this will position you for where you want to be in the future. In the Career Development part of my role at The Bank, we call this Zig-Zagging. Making horizontal moves that position oneself for the right vertical move in the future. Bottom Lines: (1) How Important are the benefits to you and who offers them, (2)Which one will best help you get to where you want to ultimately be (Music, in the garden, and the like), and (3) Which one might you most enjoy doing?
Uncle David
Hmm!! Another thought. Now is the time to think about making your passion your vocation. By Now, I mean… young age, no family to support, living at home, etc. I would love to go do something different, but it’s hard once you’ve reached a certain income level and are supporting a family, etc.
So, for example, (and building on what I said on my previous post), do the one that provides the most (1) income, (2) flexibility to pursue your passion, (3) insurance, etc. Then, give yourself a defined time period and set a goal (hard for a P, I know). E.g., “take some practical Community College classes to become a certified horticulturist within two years”, or “be prepared to launch your own photography/web-design business within 18 months”, etc.
Thus, the principle of Zig-Zagging allows you to view the next Chapter in your life as a necessary (if not a glove fit) step in your Journey toward becoming and doing that for which God has made you. If neither of these two choices leaps off the page and screams out to you, then it is very likely that you do, in fact, need to view the next step as only that, one more step toward turning your passion into your vocation, through which you can be both fulfilled and prepared to support a family with. In other words, give yourself permission to see this decision as temporal in nature. Hope this helps, rather than confuses. I get excited to see people in a position to make a passion a vocation. I wish I had. And speaking from experience, it’s much easier to do from where you are sitting than from where I am sitting. Although, I am now seeing more clearly that, even though I am getting closer to 50 each year, my present situation is one that I am praying will prepare me to do my passion in my semi-retirement. An occupation in which I can be gainfully employed for 20 years or more after I finish with Corporate America in the next 10 years or so.
Uncle David
Thank you for your prayers, Aunt Janice!
Uncle David, I think point number (2) is what is currently giving me the most “trouble” because if I had a thousand years, I would do everything. But, alas, I only have about a fraction of that (and I don’t want to be a jack of all trades but a master of none)!
Your advice is insightful, Uncle David, and will help focus my thoughts – thank you!
I’ll be prayin’ round the mornin’, I’ll be prayin’ round the mornin’, I’ll be prayin’ round the mornin’ when I’s up!
is that a song?
Yeah, don’t you know “Comin’ ‘Round The Mount’n”?
David
I’ll be praying
I am getting confused, because Aunt Janice, you are answering your own comment, so that means that someone is commenting when you are logged in…who is who? 🙂
Sorry! I (and someone else) went back and changed the commentors so they are correct now.
Thanks for fixing that! Hee, hee.