"And this one time...at band camp..."

I was very lucky to have the opportunity to serve as a staff member at a high school marching band camp again this year.  Although it requires being out in the sun and on my feet for 8-10 hours/day for 5-7 days, I absolutely love working with the students and learning new things.  This year was somewhat different from years past, though...and I liked it.  

Here's a quick list of the differences:


1)  I was referred to as "Mrs. Glosson" instead of "Megan."
This may seem silly, but I felt more like an adult and less like a child/college kid.  Go figure.


2)  I actually contributed to musical changes/additions and drill writing.
Not only did I feel able to contribute suggestions, but I was actually consulted for my opinion on more than one occasion.  I felt more like part of the team and useful, plus I was pretty pleased that I seemed to remember so much from methods classes, etc.  I also owe some thanks to my cooperating teachers during student teaching for pushing me so much and really educating me.


3)  There was no drama or under qualified staff members.
Something I have observed over the years is that asking alumni back to work as staff members is not always the best idea.  This year there was a lot less of that and it seemed to work well.  Although we ended up with a lot less staff, the people that were there really seemed to be there to work and not make friends with the students or complained about everything.  I will probably not ask alumni back if I get a high school gig of my own, nor will I ask people who are not qualified.

4)  I absolutely loved working with the students, seeing the progress, and feeling a passion for what I was doing.
I have spent the past 6 months doing nothing but working in retail.  I have felt a giant hole and complete lack of interest in anything.  Quitting my job and getting back into teaching, if even for a brief week, has me fired up again.  I feel amazing!

I had an amazing week and can't wait to get a job!  Now to get back to job hunting and fixing up my resume some more...

Goodbye to an Old Friend

Wednesday was my last day at OfficeMax.  It was a day of mixed feelings, but overall good.  After 4 years and many days of anger and exhaustion later, I'm free.

Me working at OfficeMax

OfficeMax was the first real job I ever had.  It paid my bills every month while I was in college.  It was there when my husband lost his job and we needed money.  It gave several of my friends employment, and I made several new friends while being there.

Tiffany with an interesting eye patch...

 I also made many enemies.  I discovered how horrible some consumers can be over the silliest things.  I learned to treat people with great respect while shopping and to always front face items while making a last minute purchase late at night.  I discovered how much of humanity has no respect for the general public and the property of others.  I discovered how lazy people can be and still get promotions while others work hard and get nothing.  I learned the world is not a fair place, but you just have to go with the flow and hope some luck comes your way.  You also have to learn how to have fun even when you feel like you are having the worst day ever.

Grace hiding in "Narnia."

 I can honestly say I have no clue what my future holds at this point, but I do know that it does not involve working at OfficeMax.  Although the pay may have been nice, it wasn't worth the headache and it wasn't getting me where I want to be in life.  And with that, I say goodbye to my old friend OfficeMax.

Fail.

As far back as I can remember, I have always made choices based on feelings.  I pick the clothes I wear each day based on how I feel or what I want to feel on that particular day.  I once chose to go to school instead of going to the mall with my mother and grandmother because, "It just doesn't feel right to skip school."  I married the love of my life while we were both in college and broke because being with him makes me feel amazing.  The list goes on and on...

It was in this same fashion that I chose my college major and future career.  I have always loved music and felt that teaching was "in my bones"...so why not be a music teacher?  I picked the best school my limited money could buy and worked hard.  Now, nearly 7 months after walking across the stage and shaking the university president's hand, I'm still unemployed.

Sure, I've applied for jobs...38 to be exact.  I have also had a fairly good number of interviews:  13.  Yet, month after month, job after job, I still find myself working a horrible retail job and expanding my search even wider.  I have applied for jobs in 4 states.  I have interviewed for jobs outside my focus area.  And.  Still.  I.  Have.  NOTHING.

People keep saying things like, "It has to be the right fit," or "The job market is tough right now, especially for teachers."  Regardless, I can't help but feeling that I have failed.  I have failed at making myself a worthy candidate; I have failed at really impressing someone.  Is it more than that, though?  Maybe, just maybe, I failed in my choice.  Maybe, just this once, making a choice based on feelings has left me in a horrible, expensive, nasty mess....and failure.