Categories: random
Tags: job
Date: 16 July 2010 19:21:24
When I've posted on here before about w*rk and job-hunting etc, and also when I've mentioned it here or discussed it on Ian's blog (amongst others) I've been fairly adamant that I won't start looking for another job till my thesis is written. This has also been the general tack of conversations about it at my current workplace (they know that health visiting isn't my lifelong ambition and I won't be around for ever). I have let a couple of interesting-looking jobs pass me by, partly as at the time I've been so stressed about thesis writing and partly because I don't want to let my colleagues down. However today I spotted an ad for a full-time job in a field that I would like to get into (my dream job would be part-time, but there aren't that many around so I'll take what comes) and I am seriously thinking about applying. The closing date is next week.
Although I haven't made any concrete commitments to my current employers (other than to work hard and do all my hours and do the job to the best of my ability of course), I had made a sort-of commitment to myself and therefore sort-of informally to them that I'd be unlikely to start looking seriously for a job until later in the year. This is the source of my dilemma. I'm probably going to apply for this job as they don't come along that often - of course there's no guarantee I'll even get shortlisted, it's an academic job and I've not been shortlisted for any others I've applied for - on the logic that if I do get shortlisted the interview experience will be useful, if I get the job it will be a plus of course (!), I am feeling less stressed about the thesis now that I am going to be ditching the Chapter of Doom, and I know that my colleagues will be supportive. The other week my manager pointed out a job that she'd seen advertised that she thought might interest me, and the rest of my team are always asking me how the thesis is going and if I've seen any other jobs (of course they might just be trying to get rid of me, but I don't think so!). They're also very good at saying stuff like I should do the thing that is right and best for my family and me, and that in my position that's what they'd do, so I know that they'd be thrilled for me if I were to get another job in an area that interests me more. I know that applying would have the blessing of my colleagues, but I still feel a little twinge of guilt, particularly for the practice I've recently started working with and the families.
But hey ho. Whether I get this job or not, the world will keep on turning. I'm not that important.