Came home to some lovely news tonight! I applied for and was accepted to a mentoring program with my company and will be a protege for the next year with a senior technologist mentor. I'm really excited because I think this will really help me clarify some professional goals and spur me along in figuring out my next steps in the career path. It will also allow me to really network across other parts of the huge company I am part of. I will either find a new lease on life for my current job, figure out a new place in this company or figure out where I'm headed from here. Any way it goes, it should be good. I have been looking for a job albeit sort of half-heartedly for a few months and there just isn't a lot cooking out there so maybe this will allow me to bide some time while the economy turns itself around and help me be in a good position for the future.
I have my first exam on Thursday. It will cover 7 chapters of information. I have been reading and will be studying notes, homework, etc for the next 2 nights. I am nervous but hope to be as prepared as possible for the test.
Jill
I have no specific goal(s) right now. I am trying to find the spiritual side of myself that I lost somewhere along the way.
Shame on me for not posting this sooner, but...way to go, Jill! Count me in with everyone else who's proud of you
Work's going well for me. The new director of our area, who's got a lot of pull, has decided he wants me to be a permanent party rather than a contractor. I get to really work my brain cells nearly every day. It's fun.
They're letting me "choose" my next deployment, and I already know the folks there and they're excited I'll be headed that way. It won't be until after the winter, which is fine with me, and will likely be much shorter than the one I just finished. I'm billed as an "emerging authority" now, which is, I think, a way to say, "Yeah, she knows her stuff, you should listen to her."
You sound so happy Jill!!!!! I'm so exicited for you that you have found something to be so passionate about. You are right about the potential opportunities too.
My sil did everything from working on a cruise ship to hospitality consulting.
Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.
Thanks to all for your kind words and well wishes! After just 2 classes I am more relaxed. Sandy-I have to agree that my work/life experience has given me more perspective and I am able to share more. I also feel that being an adult student who has been in an unrewarding career for so many years gives me an edge. I KNOW this is what I want to do, and I am paying out-of-pocket for this class because I procrastinated and did not get my application and FAFSA forms in in time. Penn State charges quite a bit per credit so it is costing me a lot but well worth it! There are mostly 18-20 yr. olds in my class. I get the feeling many of them (as I was in college when I was 18) are irritated and tired at 9:25AM. They look like they could care less. Some are quite interested and interactive, some look like they are in la-la-land. We did some group work today so I did get to know a few people.
I have only been to two classes (I missed the first week because I was not going to take the class) so this weekend will be completing homework I missed from that week.
I have to say though, I LOVE this class! I love reading the textbook, and am trying to read ahead and re-read chapters (Nerd alert!). I also had a revelation today. The job opportunities are wide-open with this degree. I can work for a hotel, hotel chain, restaurant, school district, hospital, nursing home, the FDA, the USDA, own my own Inn or restaurant, etc. My current Associate degree is in dental hygiene. Not a lot of opportunity there. And, with an HRIM degree-I can pretty much work anywhere in the world.
I am pushing out the "negatives" that people are throwing at me. Such things as "OMG-you are going to work every night and weekend", "you are going to have to work so many hours", "you are almost 40, what if you can't find a job?". I have thought about ALL these things. And NONE of them matter to me. I am a hard worker and I can feel my excitement when I think of working in this new career. For so long now I thought that I did not ever want to be in a career where I worked directly with people in a service industry because I am tired of dealing with people. What I'm realizing is that I'm not tired of dealing with people, I'm tired of dealing with people in dentistry and staffing. I actually LOVE to accommodate people, love to entertain, love to make people feel comfortable and welcome.
Sorry I am rambling but I am so excited right now about my future!
Jill
I have no specific goal(s) right now. I am trying to find the spiritual side of myself that I lost somewhere along the way.
Congrats, Jill! I am SO happy for you that you have started your way on a new path that will hopefully lead you to a job you enjoy.
I was one of the oldest in my English Composition class too as I didn't start college until I was 35. I was going at night and I assumed that would mean a lot more adults but there were still a good many younger folks in that particular class. Some of them were jealous of how well I did and the fact that the professor would often use my essays as examples of good writing for the class.
Posts: 7864 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
Jill, Enjoy your coursework! I was the oldest student in all my education/teaching classes. It never bothered me. In fact, I felt I had more perspective to offer because of my life experience. Plus, in spite of the age difference between me and my classmates, we made some wonderful connections.
Originally posted by jillybean: I started a class today towards a degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Industry Management! It is one of many classes I will need to take towards my degree (I already have an Associate's Degree and am hoping a lot of my general classes are accepted for transfer). It is an Intro to Hospitality Management course and I am the oldest person there (except for the guy teaching the class). That was the most intimidating thing for me was the age difference! I am very nervous, but very excited. I'll keep you all posted on my progress!
Jill
Being the oldest in the class is certainly something you need to get used to, especially when an older instructor makes a joke that nobody but you and maybe one or two other people get.
Life is like a roller coaster, with lots of ups and downs, but the curves, spirals, loops and corkscrews are what make life interesting.
