So, I wrote a bit yesterday about going on interviews. I went on one this morning (I was there from 9:30-1!), and they offered me the job!
It's a small supply company. They focus on silk and bamboo cloth apparel (ie, silk boxers, silk robes, bamboo/cotton sweat pants). They sell primarily through amazon (where they're a top seller), but they're expanding to a few other things like sears and ebay soonish. The job title would be "art and communication associate." It's a salaried, full time position, with some benefits. Health insurance, 3 weeks paid leave, normal holidays throughout the year, but no 401k. It would be starting at a fixed salary of 45k, with probable growth. The President of the company seemed very interesting in training me to manage the company. The company has been growing, so I wouldn't be replacing anyone... they're adding people. They said I'd basically be writing my own job description. I've been told that's good, but it really kind of freaks me out. I don't know what I'll be doing day to day, or if I'll even be able to figure it all out!
I'm kind of in shock. It's not AT ALL what I expected to be doing. I graduated from grad school this past May with the intention to teach! And that's all I really have experience in. Teaching, and working at museums. And now... company stuff! I've been telling myself that if I am miserable, I can quit, and get back into teaching later. I hope that's true!
I had another job offer to substitute teach at a private school and be their after school teacher / babysitter everyday. I would have supplemented that with substitute teaching at other schools in the area through a temp agency. I think I'm going to turn that down, since it's hourly pay, with little guarantee. I don't know for sure I'd get subbing jobs everyday.
But... my one quandary is... I have a job teaching on Saturdays and in summers at a fancy boarding school. I really like working there. If I take this job with this small company, and stay with them, I will still be able to teach on Saturdays this year, but I won't be able to teach during the summer. So the boarding school will for sure replace me during next year, since they'll want consistency in their teachers. I loved teaching there, but it was only part time. It was great pay for the summer... but it was only 1 month of full time work. The likelihood of a teaching job opening up there is really slim. I applied for office work there, and didn't get hired.
I don't think I can really afford to say no to this job.If I did the math right, it pays double what I would get from subbing and working after school everyday. I have no idea if I'll like it, or be able to figure it out. I also got a slightly weird vibe from it.... probably because its such a small company. It's a huge office space for just 12 people! It was really quiet. And I was a little taken aback at how much they wanted me. That sounds ridiculous but... the President was saying how great a writer I am right from the start. I went in expecting to sell myself to them... and they were trying to sell TO ME!
So, yeah. I'm in total shock. But this is great. Full time work. A great starting salary. I should definitely be happier right now, but there's so much newness that I just don't know what to expect! I don't like change! I go in to talk to the President tomorrow at 9:30 to finalize/ formally accept or reject the position. Tonight, I need to call the small private school and tell them I got another job. And I need to cancel the Friday interview I had with the temp agency to be a sub.
I hope I'm making the right decision. Am I?
Anyway, just wanted to share/ update with you ladies. Thank you so much for all of your kind words and support! And for those of you looking for work... it happens really quickly! Just keep applying. And look into all avenues, even Craigslist (which is where I found this job. Did I mention that I was originally afraid that it was a murder plot? To capture desperately unemployed people? haha. Thankfully, it is not.) It WILL happen for you. You WILL get a job.