Hello FurAffinity,

In my last journal I mentioned that I would very likely be unemployed after the end of April. And that happened.

This is how I described my job last time I mentioned it:

I was hired under the title “records manager” and so far it has not been what I was expecting. For one thing, I have no idea what definition of “records” they are using. Somehow I ended up on the HelpDesk answering phones and doing something akin to tech support – which is not what I want to be doing at all, nor what I am qualified for. I’m not even sure who I would air my grievance to, because I was hired by Recruiter A to work for Company B who is actually contracted by Company C to do work for Government Agency D.

After 6 months, my obligation to Recruiter A was up and I was hired directly by Company B. All fine and dandy. In September, Company C (and by extension Company B) lost the government contract and the contract was taken over by Company E. I left Company B to continue doing the same job for Company E. Then in April, Company E was blindsided when Government Agency D told them they would not renew the contract with Company E and they were instead giving the contract to Company F.

I had the choice to continue doing the same job with Company F (same pay but a worse benefits package), continue working for Company E on a different project, or just leave. I was already two employers removed from the ones who originally hired me as a “records manager” and I had no desire to keep going deeper down the rabbit hole of IT. It was an opportunity to make a clean break and I took it.

Smart? I don’t know. But I have time to write again! I’ve completed two stories in the time since I quit. And if I’m being completely honest with myself, not having any time to write is one thing I liked least about that job.

So now I’m looking for a job again. I’d like to get something more in line with what I actually went to college for – I majored in environmental science. My search is complicated by the fact I don’t know what I actually want. Seven years of experience have mainly taught me what I don’t want. I want a job that I actually want to do, and not one that I work simply because they’re the ones who hired me.

I have talked with a career counselor, and probably will again.

I have contemplated going to grad school, but I want to be sure it’s worth it before committing the time and money.

So that’s where I am in life. That’s nothing you need to worry about, I am more or less on top of it. I never moved out of my parents’ house after college, for one thing.

In happier news, let’s talk about my summer plans.

Anthrocon! I will be there this year again, arriving Thursday and leaving Monday. If there’s anyone in the DC area who might be interested in carpooling, I have space in my car.

Immediately after Anthrocon, I will be going to Slovenia again for a week. Longtime followers may recall I went there in 2010. The ancestral homeland is a beautiful place and I’m excited to be going back.

I want to go to What The Fur at the end of July, but given my current situation a weekend trip to Canada may not be the most responsible thing to do.

Summarily yours,
Kinto

P.S. Keep up to date with me on Twitter (at)Kinto_M

P.P.S Audience Participation Round 5 voting is still open on InkBunny through the end of June: https://inkbunny.net/journalview.php?id=277651 If you do not have an InkBunny account I am accepting votes via FA private message.