I GOT A JOB…

     during the Pandemic!!

I moved home to Louisville on June 22, and last week, around July 26, I was offered a job! As I was making plans to come back to Louisville, I knew that I would need a job of some sort, but I didn’t really know what it would be…what I wanted and if the truth be told, I had other plans at this point in my life.

Insert “dream mode!”  I pictured myself, leaving Mt. Notre Dame early…maybe officially “retiring early” at the end of this past school year.  Greg would be retiring shortly after that and we’d be able to start doing those things that we had planned.  We’d be hosting more bourbon trail trips, traveling to Pittsburgh for grandparent time, and doing some “just for fun” short trips, maybe even a long trip now and then.  We talked about moving to Louisville or Bardstown, where Greg would get a part-time job with one of the distilleries.  I figured I’d be around to help with my folks, but mostly, I’d be enjoying girlfriends and planning get togethers.  We’d probably have a patio home, giving Greg a small yard allowing him to putz around and I’d have a small house to keep organized (LOL!!).  We’d be enjoying the good life…maybe not rich in money but rich in family and friends.  Yeah…I had it all planned!  

Exit “dream mode!”

Back to reality! I knew a move was important.  It was important to move closer to family for my wellbeing. The memories were a double-edged sword...some so great that they will never be forgotten, but some so difficult to remember.  It meant leaving a job that I really liked, lots of friends that I loved, and the memories of all of those years as a family in Cincinnati.

Then the pandemic hit and I knew that finding a job was not going to be easy.  But finding a job that I liked would surely be really hard…because I just didn’t know what I wanted to do.  So…I stayed open minded to everything I saw online or through messages from friends. 

I truly believe I was very close to getting a job with a national non-profit organization but unfortunately, they shut down all offices in the country and after my interview and and several hopeful follow-up emails, the national hiring manager let me know that they could not promise that the Louisville office would even be able to open again.  With a heavy heart, I realized that my non-profit work may be off the table.  I am heartbroken for my non-profit friends.  This is a terribly difficult time for all of them.  

Then came a job that was for a record keeping position with the Catholic Cemeteries.  I applied, but seems like it was a “dead end” job!  BAHAHAHAHAHA!!  Seriously, I heard nothing, but I’m sure that it is because my desired salary range was out of line with theirs.

I applied with another non-profit for an Administrative Assistant role and after a month, they contacted me for an interview.  This interview took place via Zoom.  It went really well and I really liked the young Executive Director.  This job had potential and sure enough, the next day, I heard that they wanted an in-person interview with a board member and the director.  After determining all of the necessary protective measures, I went for the interview and totally felt at home.  I had a good feeling about this place.

I’m not used to working in a high rise building or fancy office space, but this space was very simple and unassuming, yet it was pleasant and workable.  I left there with pep in my step and thinking, “I could do this!”

I am now officially employed by the Community Catholic Center or CCC.  Its office is located in an old school building, a building that once housed lots of children for their Catholic education.  Due to the decline in enrollment, the school closed many years ago, but a group of people/parents put together an organization to help children in the Portland/West End areas of Louisville, go to Catholic schools outside of the area. 

The organization helps with tuition assistance to over 100 children, or 66 families.  There are five people on staff.  FIVE people!  They run on a very low overhead but the work they do is priceless!  I’m really excited to get in and share any expertise that they may need…but basically, I will provide administrative support. 

This job has all of the ingredients of the kind of job I have been looking for…part-time schedule with 20 hours (Monday/Tuesday/Thursday), no nights or weekends, family first attitude, allowing for flexibility, a small staff with the same goal in mind, busy but not stressful, people who are focused on the mission, and someplace where I believe I can make a difference and get paid to do so!

Yesterday, I went into the office for a staff meeting.  My first day will be Monday, August 10.  This small group was welcoming and instantly, I felt at home.  We completed a short questionnaire where one of my co-workers said her favorite drink was a dirty martini!  I think I have someone from work to enjoy happy hour with!!   When I go into work on Monday, I’ll be ready to learn a new non-profit's ways.  I’ll meet more people, no doubt.  There will be masks and hand sanitizer, and it won’t be a big welcome committee, but I’m ready!  I guess the question really is, "are they ready for me???"

I'd like to thank the many friends who have sent me the connections to various positions, those who forwarded my information to their friends in the non-profit world, and all of those who have prayed for my "perfect" job.

There is a little bit of juggling to do with Mom and Dad and their needs, our schedules, and at the moment, it's a little overwhelming and "up in the air!"  I have no doubt we will make this work as we are a team here at the Marcellino Manor!!  

Who ever would have thought that I’d find a job and start working during a pandemic???  I did it!!