Movin' on up...Finally

After many years of trying to figure out what I want to do with my life, followed by several years of complaining about how much I hate my job and how there is nowhere for me to go in the administrative field, followed by my finally taking some action to make a change in my life, I am now seeing the rewards for my efforts.

I have always enjoyed writing and have done lots of fiction writing, including writing a couple of novels. My current position as an Administrative Assistant at a software company has introduced me to the field of Technical Writing. I have done a fair amount of work helping out the Communications department at my workplace and felt that it was something I would like to pursue as a career. During the spring of this year, I took a few Technical Writing courses with the University of Waterloo. I have been working on getting some writing samples together for a portfolio and I have written an instructional manual for my current position (and of course there was that article published in the Record - that still kind of seems unreal).

When I returned from my holidays in July, I was told by a friend in the Communications department that she had accepted another job outside the company. The panic bells went off in my head. This was the opportunity I had been preparing for, but I wasn't sure I was really ready. In my mind the plan had been approach the Communications manager and talk to her about what I had been doing and discuss future possibilities. But now the opportunity was here. It was now or never. I couldn't let this opportunity pass by without at least letting her know I was interested in the position. SOOOOO, I submitted my resume and sent an email to my boss telling him that it was my intention to apply for the technical writing position that was posted in the company.

Then I waited... and watched... as the resumes poured in.

Finally, I was granted my interview, which I felt had gone quite well. But I was afraid to let myself really believe that it could happen. It would be such a disappointment if it didn't.

Yesterday, I finally got the news. THEY WANTED TO HIRE ME!!!! I am still trying to get over the shock of it. It hardly feels real. I have wanted something like this for so long, I was starting to think it would never happen. Finally, a job that I can call a career. Finally, the chance to learn some new skills and an opportunity for professional development. Finally, a chance to actually get paid to write, paid to do something I enjoy (even if it is not writing fiction).

I am excited about the doors that this will open for me. AND I am excited about being able to leave my present job behind me. As I go about my tasks throughout the day, I can't help but think about what I am doing (purchasing, accounts payable, answering the phones -quite possibly the most hated thing about my job) and tell myself that soon I won't have to do this any more. It will be somebody else's responsibility. I look forward to the day I can walk through the door and walk past the reception area to my new desk in the Documentation area.

The news has not been made public at work yet because my boss in on vacation this week. SO, until he is back and has the official news, it is being kept somewhat quiet. It has been very hard not to tell people about it (a couple of people that knew I had applied know I got it - I mean I had to tell SOMEBODY).

I guess I will also have to change my profile to say that I am a Technical Writer and not an Administrative Assistant (but maybe I should wait until it is official-wink).