One more week

I have one week left at my current job! Unfortunately, I don't get a break before starting my new job. P and I are supposed to be going to visit her family next weekend. I'm debating whether to go with her or not, as it's kind of exhausting - a 5 hour drive each way and I usually end up baby sitting for her sister while we're there. I don't want to be feeling tired and lazy on my first day!

This week has already been exhausting. Between my current job which constantly keeps me running, having my pre-employment physical and HR meeting for the new job, and practicing for my first student performance, I've been insanely busy. I would really like to do nothing this weekend, but I know that won't happen!

Leaving the door open

Yesterday I was talking to my supervisor about my new job and she asked if I would want her to contact me if a similar job opened up at the agency. Of course I said yes! I really would like to come back to this agency again. I've worked there in the past and know quite a few people. It's a really laid-back and friendly atmosphere. Plus, the benefits are the best that I've ever even heard of. I mean, they PAY their employees health care premiums! I'm so glad to know that they would want me to come back. I was scared that I would be burning my bridges by leaving!

I have officially given my notice!

It didn't go as bad as I had feared. In fact, it actually went pretty well. My supervisor was a little surly at first, but then she realized I was giving four weeks notice and she softened up - apparently she had thought I was going to leave immediately. She was actually pretty understanding in light of the fact that this new job will be a step up for me and will be paying me more, which she admitted she wouldn't be able to do. I told her I was worried about burning my bridges at this agency and she told me I wouldn't be, which made me feel much better.

So in four weeks I'll have an AWESOME job! yay!

Taking a new job

I graduated from grad school this May and started my first "real" job in June. Well, the job was not what I had understood it to be during the interview process. Since my first day there, I've been stressed more than I ever was in school (and my school was no walk in the park - it's one of the top 10 in the country). I never even have time to eat lunch when I'm there, and I've come to realize that everyone in my position takes work home with them in order to get everything done. Even if I end up working more than 40 hours a week, I can't get paid over time - despite the fact that the position is hourly. Add that to the fact that the actual work I'm doing is quiet different than what was described to me, and I am not a happy camper.

As I've said before, I work in a field where I don't earn a lot of money, but I choose to do so because the work is rewarding. I wanted to have a job that I enjoyed so that I wouldn't have to dread going to work everyday. I didn't want my life to be like Office Space. Yet my job is currently making me miserable. I've had jobs in my field before - I know it doesn't have to be like this.

Well, yesterday I received a job offer from another agency for a position that is very close to being my dream job. They also offered me $3,000 more a year. Needless to say, I accepted on the spot. Now comes the little problem of informing my current employer. I'm feeling a huge amount of guilt - I'm not a job-jumper and I hate to leave after only one month. I'm afraid of burning my bridges and making the people I work with angry with me. I'll be giving them four weeks notice, so it's not like I'm going to leave them completely high and dry, but I still feel horrible.

My partner keeps telling me that I'm making the right choice - I deserve a job where I'm happy, or at least one that doesn't make me hate my life. I still can't help agonizing over it. I know I'm going to have to tell them when I go in on Monday, and I keep imagining how everyone is going to react. I'm absolutely dreading it. I feel like I'll be letting people down.

I think I'm going to give myself an ulcer...