Friday, August 24, 2007

Official Damper

I am a real employee again, sort of. I was contacted about a secret shopper job but this job isn't as an independent contractor. Instead, I am working directly for the company and receiving a real paycheck with taxes taken out and everything. I spent a day in paid training and have about another 2 weeks before I am "certified" but I get paid for every minute of training and that pay goes up once I'm done with the formalities. I'll only be getting about 10 hours a week but it's better than nothing. Plus, they pay on a normal pay schedule, unlike most secret shopping companies that make you wait 30 to 60 days for the money.

As for school, my dad went into jackass mode and put a damper on my plans. Just once I'd like for him to say, "Hey, that sounds like a good idea." or "I'm proud of you for making this decision." Instead he has to pick it apart and tell me what he thinks I should be doing. No wonder I'm always depressed. I will give him some credit though as he has a higher opinion of my abilities than I do, it's his delivery of the information that sucks.

Well, it's late and I was up at an ungodly hour this morning for my 8 hours of training so I am off to sleep.

Monday, August 20, 2007

Again

I just got accepted at the local Community College, again. Every couple of years I go back with the intention of getting a Certificate or another Associates Degree but I usually stop just short of the final goal. Usually it's a realization that, while I enjoyed the classes, the actual application of knowledge is boring as hell. In other words, the career sounds good in theory but in reality, not so much. So far I've been through the Paralegal program and the Medical Transcription/Billing programs. Now I'm going for Business Management.

What it really boils down to is I have lots of skills but no framework. I should be managing a department in some corporation by now instead of taking jobs as a lowly peon. And, while I may not completely enjoy the grind of a "real" job, I know that I can be really good at anything I set my mind to. So why Business Management? Like I said, I have the practical skills, now I just need the principles to go with them.

The next thing I need to do is find a part time job before classes start. I plan on taking online classes so my schedule should remain flexible for the time being and, although I enjoy Secret Shopping, it's not exactly paying me on a regular basis. Yes, I'm getting by but I need something a little more solid for a few hours a week. In case you haven't guessed, I did not take the low paying job I mentioned in my last post and, right after I submitted my application to be rehired at the hospital, they instituted a hiring freeze. With those options gone I've been trying to figure out what I want to do and today is when this whole Business Management plan hit me. I can't guarantee it's going to work out but at least its something.