Zero to 60 in Just 8 Hours

It's amazing how quickly life can change, how it can go from one extreme to another in the space of a few short hours. As most of you know, at least those that have read my previous posts, follow me on Twitter, or are friends with me on Facebook, I have desperately been applying for work since we moved to Minnesota in June. I have been agonizing over how we will survive without a stable income. Though I had been accepted to substitute teach in two districts in the last few weeks and had gotten a job teaching keyboarding skills on Saturdays, I was still worried. Even with these jobs lined up, it meant no pay until September 15th at the earliest. The stress level has been high with no income for several months.

I have been eagerly awaiting an IT position that I applied for, and was told that there would be no word about until the end of September. Being told that you are first in line for a job that won't be available for another month is both flattering and terrifying. You can't just stop looking, the family must eat until October.

Yesterday, I received an email that lifted my spirits, I am being hired on a two month trial basis. If they are pleased with my performance I will be given a full contract with full salary and benefits starting in November. I am thrilled to have this opportunity, though I will be working 6 days a week. I will only be planning lessons for one day, admittedly for K-8th grade. During the week, I will be trouble shooting technical hiccups, learning all about servers, and help teachers incorporate technology into the classroom.

You may be thinking, "Wow! That'll keep you busy!", you are right indeed. But this isn't all that's new. I am short 6-7 classes (15-17 credit hours) of having my Minnesota Media/Library Specialist Masters degree. I must have this degree to be able to take any IT Specialist job in Minnesota. I called today to start the ball rolling on getting enrolled in St. Cloud University to take these class. I applied as a "non-degree seeking" student until I can get approved for the Masters program (I missed the deadline for this semester). I will also be applying for further financial aid to take these classes (to be done tomorrow).

It's a good thing I'm ahead on my reading goal for the year and that I have an hour drive to work because I don't think there will be much time to do any reading except for audio books for the next 6 months. I may have become the "Queen of Overbooking My Time", but it will be worth it. I will be successful in this job.