Have we made it?

Almost three years ago I was laid off from my job as a copy editor at the Wisconsin State Journal. It was a job I loved, though maybe I never really appreciated it until it was too late. Not everyone can say they worked in a career they loved. But things changed and I was let go from the newspaper. I decided right away there wasn't much, if any reason to pursue another newspaper job. We didn't want to move and while there are other media outlets in Madison, who knows if they would have the same fate?

I was unemployed a full year. Eleven months into my unemployment I had a job interview at the state Department of Workforce Development in Unemployment Insurance. I wasn't even that sure what the job was. It was a job I'd applied for one week in order to fulfill my two required applications for that week. The interview was on my birthday (Dec. 8). I left it sad and frustrated because I didn't think I did too well and was wondering if I'd find a new job.

Well, I got the job. I started on Jan. 19, one year to the day that I was laid off. The in the fact that I became employed in unemployment insurance and started on the anniversary of my layoff was not lost on me. I think of it often.

This year on my birthday, I will still be working in unemployment insurance, but in a new unit! Since late August I've been interviewing and waiting and I've finally obtained a new position and advanced my career in unemployment. It is still a project position... I'll be working in tax collections as an entry level collection specialist. They were going to hire four permanents, but then someone said they couldn't. While this is still a project, its set to go almost three years to July 2014. And I think there is a lot of opportunity for advancement in this work, including getting hired permanent whenever they can hire permanents.

Project or not, I'm thrilled! There's a nice raise included and I think it will be interesting work. I question "have we made it?" because I think this new position makes it a lot more likely that I've found my new career path... putting us one stop closer to the new normal. Three years ago I was in the midst of just trying to find some kind of job. I needed to get paid. I had no idea what I watned to do for the rest of my life. I took the CNA class thinking I'd like to get started on a nursing career path and that didn't pan out. I started the job I have now and was still puzzling over what I'd do for the rest of my life. But now I'm feeling a lot more settled. I'm feeling a lot more confident that I'm set. Thats a nice feeling.

I'm nervous about the job itself though. I've never done any kind of work like this before. I suppose I wonder how I got the job. But I think I will enjoy this work. I'll be collecting on employers who don't pay their unemployment taxes. It sounds intimidating but also fulfilling. I'm really looking forward to it.

I have plenty to be thankful for on this Thanksgiving day for sure. I have a great family. I have a great house. We can live a pretty comfortable lifestyle. Even though I'm dealing with my sprained ankle, I can run (eventually) and work out. I have my health. And now I have my career.