For the first time in my life I have experienced a rare form of awkward: the happy awkward.
My current job was not my dream job by any means when it was offered to me but it had a price tag on it that attracted me like a fat kid to Isgro’s bakery (if you haven’t been there, get to south philly immediately). Amazing salary, complete benefits, Philly location….and this was all attached to a job description I had zero experience with since I just graduated a few months ago. I left a major publication for this job- it was the scariest and most ballsy move I have made so far in my life.
As the months went by I realized that working with high school students really was not my scene but being the respectful employee that I am, I kept my mouth shut. Since the economy is falling and all that shit, I figured “suck it up…the only way you are getting out of here is if you fuck up and get fired or quit”. My boss is an incredible person and friend so as much as I was yearning for another Center City dream job like I used to have I kept a smile from behind my clunky metal desk.
Then suddenly fortune smiled…fortune being the most ironic word to use…
“In 6 months we have to make some cuts…I hate to do this to you….but you were one of the last people hired…”
As my boss squeezed his hands together from behind his desk and regretfully held my fate in that grip, I felt my eyes peel back from its morning crust and soon after, a smile that I had to tensely pull inward formed on my lips.
“You will be laid off in June…”
We discussed the next few months and the incredible “take any time you need to find a new job” statement was made during it. I practically beamed out of his office and felt like I had just won the destitute lottery. Keep in mind that months prior I cried about this job because I felt like I “wasn’t using my talents or brain”. Now, I was as perky as after a bikini wax. I had that awkward happiness of being beach ready but with the tingly pain of ripping skin lingering.
So now as I am on the job hunt during what is being called “the second Great Depression” I have a somewhat nervous demeanor with an ecstatic exterior. I may be the only excited person at a job fair or interview because I finally have my ticket to start over without having to burn any bridges in the process. Even though my parents always say “in college they made you think there was more opportunity than there really is” I am proving them wrong and finding a ton of opportunities.
If I actually land a job it will be a miracle since I am now a high salary snob, but I am pretty optimistic that I will not be a telemarketer or retail sales associate for the rest of my adult life. Stay tuned.
~ G.I.
tua04031@temple.edu
