I am employed full time. Woah is me.

There is no way to express my thoughts on the matter without sounding ungrateful. I am by no means ungrateful. I am so unbelievably appreciative for the stability in my life and every opportunity that I am able to seize. Including working a full time job that consists of me spending hours on end behind a desk and computer while taking me away from the human interaction, among other things, that I once enjoyed. Welcome to the dreaded monotony of adulthood.

It is no wonder so many people get depressed by their jobs. I have only been at my new job for a week and I am having deep, meaning of life contemplations. It boggles my mind that the majority of people, at least in north American society, willfully slave away most of their time.. and for so many people, they slave away at jobs that don't make them happy, don't pay them enough to live, and don't contribute to their growth within the company or as a person. The more I think about it the more it seems like a pandemic. But I digress.

On my way to work the other day I was walking through the parking lot thinking to myself "Here I go again... time to get use to being an adult and serving my time Monday through Friday, nine to five... Time to face reality. Time to get use to this mind numbing, daily-grind-bullshit. It is my future after all."

Then it hit me. No it isn't and no I don't. No I don't have to conform to society and its standards of living. Isn't that the reason I decided to continue my education to begin with? So I don't have to work retail, food services, or be caged in an office building? So I don't have to give up who I am and what makes me happy just so I can live another day of being unhappy and not doing what I love? I decided to pursue an education so I could study what makes me happy, gain experience within that medium, network with others involved in my field of interest, and then become employed doing a non traditional job. A job that allows creativity; offers variety, such as interacting with many different people, performing various tasks, or working in different locations; an environment where close supervision is not necessary and I am free to make decisions on my own; and most importantly a job that benefits the community and enriches society.

Granted, I still have a ways to go before I reach that point. I am only working a "summer job" before I transfer to Emerson. That isn't to say that my current position isn't important. Instead of working with students directly I am now responsible for playing a role in the development of the new department created specifically for student success.  It was over a year ago that I sat in meetings with the Dean and other student leaders discussing what needs to be included in the new philosophy and department. Now, here I am fortunate enough to be employed by that department helping continue with the growth of the foundation. I am also thankful that during a time where securing a job is scarce and many people are out of work-- I have a place that is creating work for me. I am expanding upon the experience I already have and becoming a more valuable person because of it.

Someday I will do what makes me happy and get paid for it.