Change of Status (Or, stated as I actually feel about it: "CHANGE OF STATUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!")

My faithful readers know that, since leaving the non-profit health education organization where I was the executive producer of a series of eight videos for teens on topics like media literacy, self-esteem, body image, nutrition, teen activism and teen stress, I have been on a bit of a career roller coaster. I worked in a contract position at Microsoft, as a Program Manager in their Teaching and Learning Technologies group and then I went on to manage the Seattle office for a non-profit that was contracted with the Gates Foundation to do some work around education reform. That organization (or at least their Seattle office) disappeared as soon as the Foundation decided to change direction, putting all of us out of a job. That was 10 months ago.

My quest to find "the perfect job" (now that I'm considered - pfffft! -- an "older worker"... oh god, I hate seeing that in print; surely it refers to someone else!) has been more like a roller coaster, with starts and stops, peaks and valleys -- and moments when I felt like throwing up. I told myself that I would not just accept any job, but that my next position should be one where I hope to stay. And in order to stay, I'd want to work in (or at least towards) a leadership position where I could be both creative and strategic, where I could both plan and execute, and where I both felt valued myself and could contribute to others' sense of purpose and value. I also knew that, in order to feel continually challenged, I'd want to work with a variety of media, with both internal and external partners, and in an environment where growth, change, and flexibility are expected and valued.

So guess what? I found just such a place and accepted a position this morning! I'll start work as a Senior Project Manager on February 28th. And that's all I'll say for now -- though you know that I'll add bits and pieces (short of disclosing the company's identity, of course) as time goes on.

Why is it that all of a sudden, this stuff is going through my head:

• Clean garage
• Organize closets
• Costco run
• Clean fridge
• Fix transmission on Tom's truck

OK, that last one? Not true. But if I could, I would, because he brought me roses last night.