The girl with the thorn in her side
Today marks month 3 of unemployment. Hooray?
But there has been progress! I am actually quite happy (giddy, in fact) to announce that I have returned to school. This was not a decision that I made lightly. As you may or may not know, I finished all the coursework to my Masters degree 3 years ago. I then proceeded to write up a thesis proposal, which was approved…
and then, for a slew of reasons that I will not get into here, I stopped.
I guess the one nice thing about the horrible job economy is these parts (Western New York, an FYI for you newbie readers via NaBloPoMo randomizer - hi!), is that there are a LOT of resources available for people to get back on track. I was quite surprised actually. Here I was thinking that as soon as the State started to send me the weekly check to fund my existence - the pressure would be on to find something, anything, AND quickly.
That is actually not the case at all. I found out that as a “dislocated worker” I am eligible for a sweet discount on tuition at my alma matter, RIT. Before I jumped at the opportunity, I took the time to meet with a career counselor, a rather quirky dude who basically confirmed that I am NOT going to find what I am looking for around this area and agreed that this is the time to finish my master’s. Just what I needed to hear! A completed masters will open more doors for me in terms of going into education or taking on more of a consultant type role. No more 9-5, and no more cubes… please.
The decision was made, I applied, and was accepted to receive the grant. Last week I became reacquainted with my committee chair (who, thankfully, still remembered me!) and decided to trash my old proposal and start from scratch.
With that being said, my time now is being spent on the new proposal. My goal is to have it completed and approved by the end of the month so I can register for Winter quarter in December. Ideally, I would like to have it completed in one quarter… and I hope that since I can work on it fulltime, it will happen. I will not bore you with the details, but my new topic idea excites the hell out of me.
Can I just say that it feels soooooo good to be using my brain again?
Comments
That is great news, Kirsten. I am very proud of you!!
Posted by: Fran | November 4, 2006 12:52 PM
thanks franimal!
Posted by: kir | November 4, 2006 5:34 PM
Congratulations! Leave those cubicles in the dust!
Posted by: Nora (here via the randomizer) | November 4, 2006 6:04 PM
Justin and I are both really happy for you, Kirsten!
Posted by: lex | November 4, 2006 6:31 PM
You are awesome, K- I was just saying today that I missed school and studying. Lucky you!
Posted by: shelley | November 4, 2006 9:06 PM
A Master's oh lucky you!
I hope you enjoy it,
Angela
Posted by: angela | November 5, 2006 4:04 AM
thanks everyone - you put a smile on my face
Posted by: kir | November 5, 2006 9:09 AM
That's awesome news! When I was without employment, I was going to venture down that road back to higher education, but then *luckily* I found a job at (insert name of company where we worked together).
Best of luck to you!
Posted by: Pam | November 6, 2006 8:33 AM
thankfully the grant is still good for 4 consecutive quarters in the "rare" event I find a job... weeeeee unemployment security!
Posted by: kir | November 6, 2006 11:08 PM