What Am I Doing?

I am quite the worrier. I worry about everything, big or small, until it has passed and then I worry some more. I've come to accept that this is part of who I am and I work with it. That being said, my worrisomeness has been in overdrive since having my work hours cut in half. And even though I suddenly have more time in my day, I have been feeling largely uninspired and I haven't been writing or reading nearly as much as I would like. But I have accomplished some good things.

I have had a couple of really great interviews. The most recent one, yesterday, was for an HR Assistant position at a good, stable company that is near my home. Obviously it's too soon to say, but based on what I saw, I REALLY want this job. It pays a bit less than my current position, but money is not everything. It is a shorter commute, a much larger company, a better benefits package, and I felt I connected well with my potential boss. So I have my fingers crossed on that one.

I've also been taking a Women's Studies course at the college. My college philosophy at the moment is to take things that seem interesting until I decide what I want to be when I grow up. I am planning to take the math and English assessment tests in April (eek!), at which point I can take some general ed classes as well. Back to the point. I'm taking a women's studies course and so far I'm finding it a bit dull. It seems I don't agree with all feminist concepts. Unfortunately, I think it may have something to do with the writings in the book, as I feel a good portion of it is outdated. But the class just started so perhaps we haven't gotten into the meat of things quite yet.

And I think that's all I've got going on. We (the husband and I) sat down yesterday and reviewed our situation and I feel much less stressed, which has made today an exceptionally good day.

Cross your fingers that I get the HR Assistant position. I want it I want it I want it.

Should I Have to Go to College?

A coworker of mine who is based in San Mateo is down in our home office with us this week for a few days (yay! finally another girl in the office with me). It's a nice change of pace and great to have her energy here. After work yesterday we went out for a much-needed drink and started talking about life and work. I've been with this company for 2-1/2 years and she has been here for about three years. Due to the market, we have gone from a large, flourishing niche recruiting firm to four recruiters. She encouraged me to go to college so that I could continue to progress in my career.

My question to her was, Why? Why is it that I have to go to college in order to make a decent living? I understand that people who go to school for something specific certainly have something I could not get on my own. However, I would make more money right now if I had a degree in . . . well, anything. I see people around my age who have degrees in sociology or communications. No offense, but usually they are not using those degrees for anything specialized. They didn't know what they wanted to do, so they just got a degree. And they will make more than me at my job. I started working here when I was 18. So that means that the four years they spent at college (probably partying) I've been getting real-world experience in learning how to do the job.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not bashing college. College is a good thing and everyone that can go, should. However, I don't feel that just because someone completed a four-year degree, they are smarter than me or automatically more qualified to do my job. And I understand that in this society, you absolutely have to have a degree to get a really good job. I just feel that it is unfair to those that do not have the opportunity to go to college, but have the drive and smarts necessary to do fantastic at a job.

What do you think? How did going to college help you in your career?

Musings and Ramblings of a Tired Gal

So I'm sitting outside at the community college near the cafeteria eating dinner. I'm a people-watcher, so naturally I'm watching people. And much to my surprise, I see a girl wearing short shorts, high heels, and . . . a hoodie. Now, I know that it's a bit nippy. Despite it being spring in San Diego, it's not warm here yet. Knowing this, I completely understand the hoodie. I also understand that sometimes the day will start out warm and then become nippy. So I basically understand the shorts. However, the heels? As my husband quaintly put it, "Unless you're in a rap video, there is no good reason to wear heels with shorts." Enough said.

In the course of my people watching, I began to get more of a sense of the people that attend this particular community college. I feel that community colleges attract a wider range of people - young people out of high school who can't afford a university yet, young people out of high school who don't know which university they want to go to, older people who are seeking to further their education and realize that it's just more affordable to go to community college, etc. But there is one type of person who never ceases to amaze me. There are those (usually younger, 18-21) who are enrolled in school and occasionally show up to class that don't pay attention, don't do the homework, and don't really care how they do on the tests. Why are they even there?! They are wasting their time, the teacher's time, someone's money, and a seat in a class that somebody else probably wants. Stop it! Either pay attention and take advantage of the opportunity you have, or stop wasting space!

And with that, this tired young woman is off to bed. Right after I plan my next post.

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