New job

I have been in my new position as Training Coordinator (Personnel) for about three weeks (full time) now.  My training has been rather sketchy as our store scrambles to take on a couple hundred new employees to work in our new super center that is due to open in late October.

My main role right now is leading the new hire orientations... a task I really enjoy.  It's very much like being in the classroom again.. only I'm not a substitute... it's my class.  :)  I have a lengthy guide (lesson plan) to follow, and I am slowly making it my own as I get more comfortable and familiar with the material contained within.  Though I am still learning how to process all the paperwork that goes along with these orientations, I very much enjoy working and interacting with our new hires.. each group brings something new to the table.

I've also been helping schedule interviews as well as inputting data into our antiquated computer systems.  Sadly, my numerous other job functions and training have taken a back seat to our mass hiring project.. but this is teaching me at least one aspect of my job in great detail.

Unfortunately, with mass hiring comes mass chaos.  Paperwork is every where.. people just plopping things on my desk... asking random questions as if personnel knows everything about everything all the time... and of course, we always end up with too many cooks in the kitchen as they say.  Everyone wants to be the boss, but not many want to roll up their sleeves and get the job done.  I have been impressed and inspired by a core group of co-workers who have been diligently working to make this process work and are ALWAYS there to lend me a hand and help answer my questions.

It's now beginning to sink in that this is my new job (rather than just a temporary thing) - especially as I begin to forge a new routine to follow.  For me routine is very important as I'm a creature of habit. 

Despite still working in a retail setting, I no longer feel like a store employee.. I feel more like an office worker, and it's a very positive transition.  Though it certainly has it's share of stresses.. especially now.. I find the work more rewarding and have a greater sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.  Not dealing with the customers is also a great blessing and a welcomed change.. though I am quickly learning that working closely with management is not always an "easier" alternative. hahaha!

Though this is not my dream job, I am thankful for a positive step forward (especially now being full time permanently) and for the chance to use my skills as a teacher on a regular basis.  The skills I am now learning from this experience will also transfer very well into the classroom should I ever be fortunate enough to land that ever illusive full time teaching position. 

Even baby steps forward are steps in the right direction.  Now if you'll excuse me, I need to crash from utter paperwork exhaustion.

Catching Up

It's been quite a while since my last posting.  I wish I could say I've been off on wonderful adventures or on an amazing vacation, but that's sooooo not the truth.  Dare to dream though!

I recently transferred from my job in the Photo Center at my store to a position as Training Coordinator in personnel.  It was a very slight pay increase, but it promised me full time hours.  I would love to tell you what my new job functions are, but to be honest, after a little over two weeks of working in the office (though some of that time I was covering in my old department) I don't feel much closer to knowing my position.

Our store is in the process of moving as well as taking on over 200 new employees over the next two months.  Naturally, personnel is right in the middle of all this.  Talk about trial by fire!  Some times I get so overwhelmed by people walking into the office and telling me what they need done that I feel like my head is going to explode.  Not exactly the best time to learn whole new job functions - computer systems (which are archaic... one program is DOS based.. DOS BASED!! Who uses DOS anymore???) - and routine.  My "training" has consisted of learning on the go and trying to take massive amounts of notes to try and get me by.

So far, I've been helping input information into the computer for new hires, calling applicants and setting up appointments for interviews.  That's what my day to day job has consisted of - that and being a personal secretary to a new manager with the company who seems to think I work only for them.  So basically when our personnel director (who is AMAZING) goes out of town soon for a week and I go to take over for her.. I'll know how to make phone calls.

It tickles me when managers ask me a question about how to do something and I have to tell them "I don't know".  They look at me like I'm nuts.. like when my job code changed, I magically absorbed all the knowledge of a person doing this job for years.  Granted, I'm learning from asking my NUMEROUS questions and attempting to learn the tasks asked of me... but it's not a practical or comfortable learning process.

I'm extremely thankful for many of my knowledgeable co-workers who have been helping me out, and taking time from their chaotic work loads to help show me the ropes and answer my questions.  It's so un-nerving not to know my routine and have all the answers.  I went from a job I could do in my sleep to finding myself asking for help every five minutes.  Thank God I have friends there!!  They've been wonderful and supportive!

Another job duty that I HAVE actually done is conducting new hire orientations.  These typically last about 7 hours per orientation.  It's set up very similar to following a classroom lesson plan.. something my teaching background has helped prepare me for - and is a job function that I'm hoping will look much better on my resume.

While doing the same lesson over and over again can get tedious, I do look forward to meeting and working with our new hires.  I know how intimidating it can be starting a new job (and I'm getting a dose of that again with this position) in a new place.. so I want to make their first day on the job as pleasant as possible.  What happens to them after orientation... that I'm a little concerned about.  I'm nervous they are going to get lost in the craziness of the move and hiring focus.

I've also been trying to keep in touch with my friend Anne who is suffering from brain cancer.  I went to see her for a brief visit last week and she looked horrible.  I can't believe all the weight she's lost... and her energy is all but gone.  It's so hard for me to watch her fade away like this - and know how much it hurts her to not be able to keep going.  She's a person who has always needed to be busy.. needed to be "doing", and now that's all gone.

As we were talking, she told me how worried she is about leaving her husband (who suffers from Alzheimer's) behind.  Through the 14 years I've known Anne.. and all the tragedy we've been through, I've never seen/heard her cry until now.  Her wish is not to miraculously get better and live forever, but to simply be able to care for her husband so he won't have to be alone - and live in a nursing home.  Even now, her main concern is the well being of those she loves.

Anne has always been a person who had such an enormous light inside her.. an incredible force of good in the world.  While she never went to college or had a profession as we know it today, she made a remarkable impact on the lives of everyone she has come into contact with.  There are often times I have wished I could give the energy and years I have left to people like that.. people who make a difference and have a light to share with others.  It almost seems wasted on me.

Tempus Fugit!

Time does indeed fly.  I can't believe it's August already!!  Soon, my favorite season of the year will be here... FALL!!  Crisp air, hay rides, apple cider, pumpkins, Halloween.... all right around the corner.

For those that haven't yet heard, I did indeed interview for a year long term teaching position at the middle school I have been subbing at over the past school year.  I thought the interview went very well.. I was comfortable, my answers were all well thought out.  I did not make it to a second interview however.  It was none-the-less a learning experience.. I can now be a little more comfortable and prepared for any other future interviews -- but I am disappointed.  This position was the only real hope I had at getting a job away from retail in the near future.. my only real hope of moving forward with my life... and in a school environment I loved and had made friends in.  I just keep telling myself it was not my time.  Patience was always a virtue I lacked!

I've been picking up more hours at the retail hell I've been employed at for the past 9 1/2 years.  Slowly, I've been paying money towards bills that I have accumulated... looking forward to operating in the black for a change, and starting to pay off my massive amounts of student loans.  The idea of having a savings account again is a nice thought.

Since the likely hood of finding a full time teaching position for the fall is slim, I debated doing the retail gig full time.  Even working over 30 hours a week (not that I would be guaranteed that many hours), I'd still be making under $20,000 a year.  That wouldn't help me much in my goal to get an apartment of my own.  Sigh....

Anyway... I just figured it was time for me to update this blog and let people in cyberspace know I am still alive.  I'm still puttering around, searching for a new career, eagerly awaiting the results of my masters portfolio project so I can say I am done with grad school.  Though I have been frustrated with the current job situation, my heart is gladdened by the many family and friends in my life who let me know daily that I am loved.  Sometimes we need to look at what we do have, instead of what we don't have.  A lesson I am trying hard to learn.

Couldn't help but notice.....

The Introit of today's Mass (3rd Sunday of Lent) seemed to be speaking directly to me:

My eyes are ever towards the Lord: for He shall pluck my feet out of the snare: look Thou upon me, and have mercy on me; for I am alone and poor. -- (Ps. 24. 1, 2). To Thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul: in Thee, O my God, I put my trust; let me be not ashamed.

Being single for a number of years takes its toll... as well as not finding a job in your field (like so many others in this Great Recession).

It is hitting me harder and harder that my life has not progressed much at all since I graduated High School 10 years ago. I am still a college student.. still work retail.. still live at home... and am still single. None of this seems like it will change any time soon. ---> especially with all the budget cuts in education. Even the dreaded idea of moving to another state does not look promising as education cuts and budget cuts are sweeping the nation.

I'm grumpy and admit it. I feel as if the world is passing me by while I've been standing still. I check the online teacher employment system everyday.. and there is nothing posted for jobs in any of the major academic subjects.. let alone Social Studies. When a job does become available, there are thousands of applicants for one position... and I'm not exaggerating.

Where do I go from here?

Just for Fun

Today was my first day back to subbing after the Christmas break... and it was nice to be back in a classroom again. Although the kids really like to test a substitute, they can be a lot of fun too!

I survived!

Yes, I made it through the blackest Friday of the year unscathed. It was not easy getting up at 3am to be to work at 4am, but I managed... and thanks to some green tea pills, I got a boost of energy with which to confront the onslaught of customers I knew awaited me.

I was stationed outside my little world in the Photo Lab to sell laptops in Lawn and Garden. I had no idea how this whole thing was going to work.. few of us did. To my relief, I found some of my good friends were stationed back there with me.. safety in numbers!

Since the store was open for 24 hours to avoid the massive rush of people at 5am which resulted in the death of a NYC employee last year, shoppers were able to line up in the store for their designated big sale item, and were given tickets to ensure them they would be getting said product. I had the distinct pleasure of cashing out laptops and various other items they had picked up in their many hours in the store waiting for the magical moment of the 5am sale time... I cashed for over an hour. Yea, good times.

Thankfully, I spent the rest of my shift in Lawn and Garden, directing customers and making sure no one escaped through our back doors.. with unpaid merchandise. It was fairly quiet back there.. especially in comparison to the insanity of the rest of the store. Since there were SO many associates scheduled to work from 4am to 1pm, I was not in danger of being pulled from my black Friday sanctuary.

The worst part for me was how cold and damp it was in that department, especially with the freight doors open. It ended up really messing up my lower back (I have sciatica)... and by the time I got home, I needed my Mom to bring my cane out to me so I could get out of my car. I still get shooting pains every now and then... but that should pass.

Thankfully, I survived yet another black Friday!

Respect

What gives anyone the right to talk to strangers the way they do? When did society become so uncharitable as to act like it does on an everyday basis? "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" seems to be nothing more than a cliche.

Maybe it's road rage, a death in the family, loss of a job or sickness that has people in such a foul mood... giving them the excuse to curse and hollar at the cashier who is only trying to do his or her job and make a living. Maybe that person feels powerless in their own life and needs to dominate someone else, and put them down so that he or she can feel in control of life.... if only for a moment. Is this right? No.. it's not.

For all of societies advances in science and technology, our morality and compassion has taken a collective leap backwards. Perhaps someone, somewhere, will read this post or something like it in Dear Abby, and stop to give pause to reflect on their own actions. I hope that reflection is more than just a passing thought before returning to the callous world of human interaction.

Job Search

I have sent out numerous resumes to local districts, both electronically and through the mail. I haven't received so much as a "thanks but no thanks" form letter. I often wonder if the districts are even getting my electronic applications that they INSIST we use instead of sending through the mail or inquiring over the phone.

I'm starting to think I have a better chance of winning the lottery than I do getting a teaching job here in the area. SOMEONE HIRE ME!!!

Tuesday begins my summer course as I continue working for my graduate degree, part time. Whoop-de-freakin-do.

Life as a substitute

Last week I began substitute teaching. It can be a bit overwhelming, especially being the new kid. There was no orientation, no tour of the buildings, just a call at 6:20 in the morning telling me where to report, and what subject and grade I was teaching.

I have to say it's been an interesting experience so far, having only subbed three times. The faculty and staff have been wonderful, and more than friendly, which is a huge plus. It's awkward walking into someone else's classroom, trying to implement their plans and classwork when you don't know the students, the sources you are using, and much of the time, don't even know the subject matter. Part of being a substitute teacher is making things up on the go, and just surviving the day without total chaos erupting in your classes. So far, I've done that.

I guess the biggest obstacle for me is not having a routine. I'm very much a creature of habit, and breaking into something new was never easy for me. At Walmart, I know the ins and outs of my job well, and can fill in at a moment's notice and not bat an eye. Now, I get lost in the building I'm working in, let alone my lack of confidence in what I am doing in the classroom. I will learn the ins and outs of the school and how the kids operate, but like all things, it will take time. Until then, I will keep puttering along and praying for the best.