Tuesday, November 13, 2007

stop the presses! i quit!

I turned in my notice today. It was a bittersweet experience. I realized a long time ago that this job just wasn’t the job for me. I wasn’t inspired. I didn’t look forward to my job on a daily basis. I did a lot of time-consuming grunt work. But the worst part about my job is that I am stuck at a desk surrounded by 4 walls all day while there is an HIV/AIDS crisis in DC.

I wanted to be out. I wanted to help. I wanted to fuel my passion for this cause. I wanted to be a part of the fight.

And now I am. On Friday I was hired to manage an HIV/AIDS outreach program for a major DC non-profit. I’ve been on cloud 9 all weekend.

Last night, I wrote my resignation letter. This morning, I stuck the letter in my bag and walked out the door. Despite the gloominess outdoors and the rain that made my morning hair straightening process a waste of time, I had a spring in my step. I stepped into the office and I was glowing. I didn’t know I was until someone asked me if I was pregnant. Ummm, no, I replied. Well, you’re glowing, he said. I didn’t know that, I told him.

But I certainly did feel it.

I cannot wait to start my job. Getting to this point in my life has been 5 years in the making. I cannot wait to start making a difference.

Last Wednesday, when the job offer was still in doubt, I talked to my shrink about it. Dr. W was completely informed about my job search. She knew how hard I had been looking. She knew about that 7 part interview with a potential employer who ended up picking someone else (yes, 7 different interviews). She knew about every previous rejection. She knew what kind of job I was looking for and why it would make me happy to finally find that job.

I asked Dr. W what I thought were rhetorical questions, “Is it too much to ask for a job that you look forward to every day? Is it too much to ask for a job that inspires you and motivates you and pushes you? Is it too much to ask for a job that you’re passionate about? All I want to do is help people.”

With all the wisdom of her (old) age and the experience of someone who knows exactly what I’m talking about, Dr. W quietly said, “No, it’s not too much to ask.”

I’m really glad I never stopped asking.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh WOW! Congratulations, Lizzie!!! Holy crap, that's a life-changing wonderful thing! Good for you!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! The new job sounds amazing!

an orange county girl said...

thanks for the support guys! you rock!

Anonymous said...

Liz! That is amazing and I'm so happy for you! Congratulations!!!!

an orange county girl said...

awww...thanks! :)