Time for Change

Many of you know my job situation and how it has been somewhat lack luster, some know in more detail than others.  I started working at the police department in February 2006 as a Crime Scene Technician.  Loved it.  I mean it’s what I went to school for.  And when I say loved it, I mean the job.  The people and the ridiculous crap that happened within the lab were not so desirable (and this crap has followed me up to this very day).  When I found out I was pregnant I had to be put on light duty from my crime scene gig.  I couldn’t be around prisoners, chemicals or out in the field.  I was transferred to the Training & Personnel office to help with the uniforms and equipment part of the PD.  I did that throughout the time of my pregnancy.  While on maternity leave I was pretty much freaking out about what I was going to do for a job.  Ideally I would go back to the lab.  However, the schedule in the lab paired with Shawn’s schedule and not having any family in NC for help, meant going back to the lab was pretty much impossible (I won’t even begin to go into detail about all the nooks and crannies of the lab schedule – 5 on, 3 off, 4 on, 4 off, holidays, weekends, 1^st, 2^nd & 3^rd, shift, on call, getting called in early, staying late, etc, etc. – all of which was fine with just me and a husband, not so much with a baby thrown in the mix!)  I was fully prepared to have to look for a new job, not at the PD.  Fortunately, they offered to allow me to come back to work doing the equipment & uniforms full time with the possibility of having to go back to the lab if there wasn’t enough work to warrant my position.  Sold.  And enough work there was!  I kept lists of all I was doing throughout each day and eventually the job I was doing became a permanent full time position – Police Equipment Specialist.  That was me.  I’ve been doing that full time since February of 2010.  Needless to say it has had its up and downs.  There has been a lot of internal stuff that I had to go through that was hard and pretty much drained me.  It seemed I couldn’t just come to work, do my job and go home without being drug into something just plain icky.  I felt a little stuck, had looked for other jobs with no success, and considered myself fundamentally un-hirable for having such a specialized degree (criminal justice).  I then decided to just deal with the job I was given and be happy for having a job at all instead of dwelling on the negative. 

As soon as I started doing that and being happy with each day instead of dreading it, a new job came along!  I wasn’t even looking because I had pretty much given up on that endeavor.  Turns out the purchasing department for the city had recently done some changing around, leaving an opening for the position of buyer.  They actually spoke to my boss about me and he told me they were interested in having me work with them.  I was totally taken off guard – I had never really thought about moving within the city.  I figured it wouldn’t hurt to apply and have an interview.  There would be other city employees who would apply so I’d still have to do some impressing!  I had an interview and then 2 days later they called and offered me the job!!  It was such a good feeling to have an option after having thought for so long that I was stuck. 

So now comes the battle of being comfortable and taking a plunge into something totally new, different and challenging.  After many discussions with myself and going back and forth, I ultimately decided to take the new job as Buyer in the purchasing department.  I start May 14.  I am pretty excited and pretty freaked out all at the same time.   I know the PD, I don’t know city hall.  My daily routine will change and my daily interaction with people will change.  I’ve had some rough times and many struggles at the PD so I feel it is time to move on and away from the past demons.  There are things and people I will miss, but I am greatly looking forward to starting new, learning a lot and being an overall happier person!     

Here’s to new beginnings!