New York City is My City.
Big sloppy kisses to those who left suggestions, advice, and words of encouragement on my late-day post yesterday. I was frustrated, annoyed, and pissed off that I didn’t get hired by the company that I wanted to hire me. Eventually, a moment of clarity hit me. I asked myself, “What’s really important? What do you want to do?” The answer was easy. I want to stay in New York. I’m supposed to be here. New York City is my city. So, I start to think … “Okay, woman, if that’s what you want, you need a plan because what you’re doing now — part-time tempting, part-time MA program, and full-time jobsearching — isn’t going to work in the long run.” By my calculations, at this rate, I’ll be forced to leave New York by mid-September. So, I start thinking …
Then, I receive two emails.
The first email is from an anonymous reader in Vancouver. You know who you are. I’ll call you The Genius because you gave me a genius plan for earning money in the short term. The second email was from … drum roll please … a prospective employer. They want me to come in for an interview next week. Now, now, let’s not get too excited. It’s just a first interview. I’ve certainly had plenty of those over the past four months. And, so far, they’ve resulted in nothing. Nada. Zilch. Helemaal nix. Nevertheless, I’m trying to stay positive. Hmmm … I’ll keep you posted about the interview. In the meantime, I’ve come up with a couple of really juicy plans for ensuring that I can stay in New York past September. I’ll hammer away at them over the next day or so and, of course, I’ll keep you posted …
June 2nd, 2006 at 11:22 am
Just wanted to say that y’all are great! Stolie often says she has the best readers ever, and I must concur! You really help brighten her days! I hope that if I ever start a blog one day (highly unlikely!), I have readers half as cool as you guys. :)
ps — Stolie, you’re not going anywhere. You’re gonna make it work, woman!
June 2nd, 2006 at 11:36 am
That’s excellent news. Believing in something and then having it work out is a very good approach and ending. Goodluck on the job interview!
And thanks for asking me to come to NY:) I was actually considering doing my GREs next year so I can apply to the US if I wanted to if I couldn’t find a decently funded position on this end. I definetely do want to live in America again at some point, if not for my phd then for a post-doc.
June 2nd, 2006 at 11:52 am
Ooo! Ooo! Squeal! I’m so excited! I think I just peed in my pants a little.
(Not the kind of support you want?)
I hope your new “second” job works out and you can stay as long as you want!
June 2nd, 2006 at 12:05 pm
Yay! So glad you got some sunshine in your in=box yesterday!! I didn’t see yesterday’s post until today, so I wasn’t much help, I know. Probably still wasn’t, anyway, but at least you know I’m pulling for ya!! Ha!
Please keep us posted and stay positive. Someone as fan-fucking-tastic as you can’t be down for much longer. You got skills, kid. :o)
June 2nd, 2006 at 3:20 pm
I am so proud of you that you are going to stick it out in “your town”. If NYC is where you feel at home, then it is where you are *meant* to be. Hang in there and I’m curious to hear about your short-term money-making endeavors…
June 2nd, 2006 at 4:38 pm
Lotsa’ luck Stolie!
June 2nd, 2006 at 8:12 pm
Hi! First off, I wanted to say that I came to NYC with no job, friends, place to live etc. and I really struggled before things started to work out for me. I think it was my absolute determination to stay in NYC that enabled me to make it happen. So, I have a great deal of respect for your attitude and I’m confident that you’ll get there!!
Second, what type of work are u looking for? If you would like, you can send me your resume and I could pass it along. I’m an attorney but I have many client contacts etc. and I could ask around. Let me know, k? Oh, and congrats on the email from the potential employer!!
June 2nd, 2006 at 8:24 pm
P.S. Mitch’s advice is so spot on. Every interview I went on, I emailed within 2 hours of leaving the firm and wrote to say a) thank you b) why I think it would be a great place to work and c) I literally state: I just wanted to express my great interest in working for your firm. I would be absolutely thrilled if you offered me the position. d) I ask them to contact me if there is any additional information they may need to assist them in reaching their decision-that way, if there’s something they’re not sure about, it’ll give u a chance to further persuade them. e) If they rejected me, I followed up to say that I was disappointed to hear that they decided against hiring me and I ask them to contact me if something changes. You never know, right?
NY is such a competitive market that I think showing that you really want the job makes a big difference.
Anyway, I’m babbling so I’ll shut up now. :) Seriously let me know if you need anything.
June 3rd, 2006 at 7:51 am
The Original Bro!: I’m lucky. I’ve got great readers, and great friends, and a few great readers who have become friends. I love you guys.
Darwin: Thanks! I’ll definitely let you know how it goes. Oh, and, by the way … most (or at the very least, a large number) of PhD programs in the US actually fund their students’ participation. You’d teach a couple of entry-level courses for the department. In return, they wave tuition and/or provide a stipend. I don’t know any PhD students or candidates that didn’t get this deal. And, the US has somewhat of a shortage of scientists. We need you. Check into it. COME TO NEW YORK!! :)
Howard: I know, I know. I’m REALLY excited about the interview. At the same time, I don’t want to get *too* excited, because then I’ll get really sad if I don’t get the job … By the way, I think it’s pretty cool that you peed your pants a bit. THAT’S excitement. :)
AmyD: No, really, I appreciate your comment. It’s good to know that I’ve got a team of people pulling for me. And, I’m serious about the starting-or-own-businesses stuff. I think all of the talented, educated, funny, attractive people of the world should consider starting their own businesses. You got skills, too, kid! :)
MamaChristy: I’m hanging in there. And, I’ll probably put up a full post about the money-making endeavors. :)
AWE: THANKS!!! :)
Jill: Thanks for the offer to help. And, yeah, everyone seems to say that the first year in New York is the hardest and that everyone struggles a bit. By the way, I might borrow your sentences for my next thank you letter: “I just wanted to express my great interest in working for ___ . I would be absolutely thrilled if you offered me the position.” VERY positive; it’s great. :)
June 3rd, 2006 at 9:45 am
Good luck!
June 3rd, 2006 at 4:00 pm
Sorry to read you got rejected, but that means faith has better plans for you and chosend to give you a different path.
June 3rd, 2006 at 5:27 pm
Another vote for luck on the job interview! here’s to better tidings ahead.
June 3rd, 2006 at 5:36 pm
I’m so glad to hear about the good news!!! Can’t wait to hear more about it. I know you’re going to make it
June 4th, 2006 at 4:40 am
Glad you’ve decided to stay in the fray….
June 4th, 2006 at 11:10 pm
I think you’ve just “made” your New Home Town…. good going. That sounds like a NYC state of mind to me.
Keeping my fingers crossed for ya!
E
June 5th, 2006 at 7:49 am
Hanuman1960: THANKS!!
Papigiulio: I really believe that. Let’s just hope that path doesn’t lead to a cardboard box and a brown-bagged bottle of beer in the middle of Central Park. :)
belledame222: I certainly hope so!!
Mags: I’ll tell you all about it. And, again, I MISS YOU!!!
lala: I’m trying to hanging in there. Now, if life would only cooperate with me …
E: THANKS! :)