Hi all! Long time no chat!
Almost a year to the day after I started my first full-time position, I am back with another announcement! I have accepted a new job in St. Louis (My old graduate school stomping grounds…or very close!)
This has been a very difficult year for me, both personally and professionally. It felt very permanent when I packed up and left mom and dad’s last July, and I moved to a small(er) town where the closest family was a 4.5 hour drive over the Rocky Mountains and my only friends were those I worked with.
The department was just welcoming a new director who had no Student Affairs experience and had never lived in, whether as an RA, graduate student, or professional (all of which I have.) So that was an extremely difficult transition; unless you’ve done it, it’s really difficult to understand. Almost a full year later, I still don’t know that she really understands what we do or why our work is important.
My anxiety was through the roof almost constantly. I loved my RA staff, but it was a very difficult transition from grad to professional, especially having zero support system (nearby) outside the campus.
My saving grace in all of this was my supervisor; she was experienced, insightful, and challenging; so many of the things that I aspire to be.
In October, I asked (after having a permissive pet policy rejected) if I could get an emotional service animal (due to my anxiety level being so high.) I was told that I didn’t need that accommodation because I didn’t seem to be suffering and was doing great work (or, basically, that I didn’t “look” mentally ill. Whatever that means.)
In January, I found out that my supervisor’s contract was not being renewed–the Student Affairs equivalent of being fired. This was fairly devastating for me.
Fast forward to just a few weeks ago, and we were informed that they were hiring a current undergraduate student to be a Hall Coordinator for this coming year. For context, the last time this department had a student coordinator was in 2008. This is HIGHLY uncommon practice and in fact flies in the face of professional standards and best practice.
Meanwhile, I was interviewing for various positions and trying to find a way out; I couldn’t just be unemployed, with car payments and student loan payments, but I was incredibly unhappy (by this point my supervisor had left) and felt like I would not survive another year in such a toxic department.
Then came a text message from the amazing supervisor: “Hypothetically speaking, if I had a job for you, would you come and work for me?”
After a few weeks of Skype interviews, I received an offer this Wednesday and could not accept fast enough. I leave Colorado on Tuesday and move in on Thursday, and Friday will be my first day. It is a small, private institution, similar to where I did my summer internship between my two years of graduate school (and was blissfully happy.) I will have close friends from graduate school and some extended family within a 2-4 hour drive.
I always feel like I have to share news (good or bad) on CC; you all have been such a huge support to me since I joined in 2007 (almost ten years! Unbelievable!) and have been a huge part of my personal and professional development.
I am so beyond thrilled to go somewhere that I know will support me, care about me as a person and as a professional, and to be near to such amazing family and friends.
Happy belated Independence Day to you all!
