Job Decision

I spoke with the founder of the organization last week, he told me they were leaning toward the other candidate. It has been a great debate, but she has eight years experience with the organization and has gone on international trips with them in the past. To me, it seems like a no-brainer. I'd hire her over the unknown candidate who will also be pursuing their PhD. Duh! I was actually relieved. I will likely coordinate a trip to India for the organization in 2007. They contacted me again today to say they might want to continue negotiations, but I'm done. I'm moving on, and plan to be a student for the next three years.

I am looking forward to being a student and am convinced it's the right time for me to return to school. I have a generous financial aid package - tuition and fees paid, plus a monthly stipend - no family obligations, I'm young enough to benefit from the educational investment, and they are giving me 30 credit hours toward a 75 credit hour PhD for my MPA. If I'm ever going to earn the PhD, the time is now.

My new criteria for the job search is as follows:

• something I will not take home with me or grow to a ridiculous responsibility (can you believe I actually want something with limited responsibility and no opportunity for advancement? That is so unlike me!)
• a job that offers some kind of perk - membership, study time, mileage, things of that nature
• enough compensation to make ends meet, with no more than 20 hours per week

I am applying to be a leasing consultant with the apartment complex I used to live in. The position meets all of my criteria. I would be able to use the gym facilities (no payment on a gym membership), I get an above minimum wage salary plus commission, study time during the lulls, and a great work environment because I like the people I'll be working with. I'll probably start the position in June and will have the two jobs overlap for a little while so I can build a small nest egg for the coming years of financial famine.

Aren't you glad there has been a decision made - I bet the suspense was killing you.