discovery #5

i may have found the perfect job.

(well, if i have to work an 8-5)

as i was driving home and thinking about which discovery to write about this week, i realized i have officially spent 1/2 my life working. i started at 15, and (according to my social security statement) earned no income in 1998...college summer in europe. so, as i just turned 32, my math puts me at 16 years of employment. let's review:

• lifeguard/swim instructor
• olive garden server
• costume designer (well, i was never paid for it...but damn i love halloween!) and i'm realizing i don't have pictures of myself at work much!
• bar waitress
• advertising agency intern
• Promotions Coordinator - ad agency
• Social Host - norwegian cruise lines (ship: norwegian sky) seriously, can you SEE this outfit???? (i'm in yellow) there are no words for the kind of humiliation i felt the first night i taught line dancing in this thing.
• firefighter okay, that's a lie...but i did train to be a fire squad leader on the ship
• Field Event Coordinator - avon breast cancer 3-day event

• temp (at about 100 companies in chicago)
• Youth Advocate - group home for boys
• Executive Assistant - saks fifth avenue (in chi-town AND houston)
• starbucks barista
• medical social worker

phew...i should have warned you it was a ridiculously long list. i was the queen of i-know-what-i-don't-want, but had no clue what i was looking for in a career. becoming a social worker granted me the wish i had to take all of my volunteer positions (check out bo's place for my favorite) and actually get paid for it. and through my grad school practicum experiences i learned that i didn't want to work for a government system -- and needed the professionalism and multidisciplinary benefits of a large hospital.

top 10 reasons my job is perfect for me:

1. my boss works in a different building and never micromanages
2. my co-workers are supportive and FUN
3. i meet someone new every day
4. i learn something new every day
5. i have balance between patient care and the administrative crap (i secretly kinda like)
6. the opportunity for continuing education (who knew i was a perpetual student)
7. my hospital has a lunchtime scrapbooking club!
8. my hospital has a healing garden!
9. i am paid a fair salary for my experience
10. i am making a difference.

side note: anyone looking for a break from corporate life...working on ships is definitely an experience you will never forget. i have some awesome photos from NCL's gay cruise, but thought they might be a bit inappropriate to post. and for my GLBTQ peeps: those cruises are possibly the craziest fun i've ever had!