Going In a New Direction - Jobwise.

I was laid-off from my job as an administrative assistant at an oil and gas company on February 13, 2009. At that time, I was also working 5 hours or so a week at a gym which was in the same office complex. The day I was let go, I was scheduled to work an evening shift. I called the manager of the gym and let him know what had happened. He very generously made it possible for me to just head over to the gym a few hours earlier, and later on he added more and more hours for me until I had over 30 hours a week.

The job at the gym was truly a good thing. It gave me something to pay the monthly expenses with until the unemployment money finally came through. Then, once I decided to go back to school, it gave me the perfect job for someone going back to school after being out over 10 years.

However, I have moved twice since being laid-off. The first time was from my apartment and into the home of a divorced mom of two teens where I rented a room from her. (This was after a lot of downsizing on my part.) I was still within a reasonable driving distance of the gym, and actually my tolls cost went down. Unfortunately, the living situation deteriorated rapidly after Christmas, and two-weeks ago I moved again. Again, I am renting a room in someone's home. This time, however, the drive to the gym is 45 minutes when leaving at 5:15 a.m. Double that if you leave at 6:30 a.m. 90% highway and tollway miles.

My mom has a tutoring business, and she was getting to the point where she had more clients than she could handle. So, last week, I started tutoring one of her clients. I also interviewed for a possible job teaching 8th grade keyboarding at a school about a ten minute drive from where I live. I didn't get that job, but starting on Monday, I will be working with an ESL student during the school day for 90 minutes a day. Plus, I have a possible third job opportunity working with a high-functioning autistic boy one or two days a week.

Needless to say, I have given my notice at the gym. This Thursday will be my last day there. I am very excited about the possibilities and opportunities that await me with these new jobs, as well as the chance to make a real difference in someone else's life. I will however miss some of the people I've had the chance to know in this past year working at the gym.

Thanks E for letting me work at the gym, and giving as good as you got. :) I look forward to seeing where this new direction leads me.