I am between jobs. Anxiety is lurking in the shadows and has prompted me to make a mental inventory of all the jobs I have held since I graduated from High School:
1. Store clerk at a gift shop
2. Spanish instructor
3. Translator
4. Cashier at a jeweler's
5. Cultural Consultant
6. Spanish, English and History Specialist at a Library
7. Magazine Editor
8. Pollster for an advertisement agency
9. Data entry worker
10. English Instructor
11. Special Education teacher
12. Photographer
13. Archivist
14. Legal assistant
15. Hotel concierge for VIP at a major hotel in the Caribbean
16. Hotel Front Desk clerk in a gay hotel
17. Comic book writer
18. Reporter for a Buddhist publication
19. Store manager for a computer business
20. Night manager for Michael's in Florida
21. Hotel concierge in a boutique hotel in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
22. Exam proctor
23. Assistant for an interior design company
Why so many? I don't really know. I have just adapted to the circumstances. But I am getting tired of this. I feel awkward when I realize I have not held a job for more than three years. I hate it when people say the phrase I truly loathe: "this is as good as it gets." I do not conform easily, I know. I am too much of an independent thinker. I mean, I am not extreme when it comes to just shutting up and performing my duty but I am a very critical person, I tend to analyze all situations from different sides. It is my nature. But I am fed up about not having an income also. I live with my brother until I find employment. I am grateful he is both putting me up and putting up with me. But I moved to Texas to improve my lot.
I am always daydreaming about my perfect job. I feel the best job I have done is in editing. Editing is an intense affair. I have to use all my intellect and then some. I think and editor is not only a glorified proofreader. An editor is a guide. At best he or she is an enabler, a coach, a committed assistant that can point to the best a writer can offer. It is not about reading or cutting out writing material. It is about selecting the essential and making it understandable to the general reader. I wish I can find a job as an editor, I do not want to adapt so much to the actual circumstances as to loose sight of my goal. I have done that so often in my life out of necessity and out of insecurities. Now, I am quietly going to send vibes to the universe around me to get an editing job at a magazine or a publisher's.
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4 comments:
What a wonderful list, you could select any number of those jobs and write character sketches about the person you were (or thought you were.)Anything in public relations at a newspaper where you could write, edit, or photo edit seems good. I know of someone who has had at least double the number you mention. Does that make you feel better? (Oh and I don't think you should count the non-career type jobs if you were in school.) I think many people work for a few years and then switch. Maybe its the switching technique that could be improved. Looking for a job, what a drag! How about side-line, number 24.: Blogger (volunteer work)
Hey, I can feel those vibes! You do have some great experience. I am impressed.
I agree with Cynthia. You have a wonderful list here to be proud of. I am like you. I have not held jobs for too long because I get bored easily and I've not met a boss or a company yet that made me want to be devoted to them.
The challenge is always to put your great variety of experience in bite-sized chunks that HR people can understand (they don't always have much vision, and prefer things to be paint-by-number).
People like us are treasure troves of talent. Don't worry, there's a new place out there for you that will be thrilled to have you.
ps. I worked as a proofreader and then a copy editor for several years, and they were two of my favorite jobs. I was never without my Chicago Manual of Style.
tangobaby your kind words inspire me. Thank you. It is time to do some alchemy and paint a collage of transferable skills into a resume.
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