Hail to the Chief (or her Newest Employee...Me!)

Having a bad day? I was, too, but Readers, I'm living proof that things can turn around at any time! I was just hired to work in the office of Purdue University's President, France A. Cordova, as a Graduate Student Assistant for Communication.

Here's how my day was going before I got the news before I was hired: terrible. Some of my earliest readers may remember the insurance debacle I faced this fall. That would be the debacle where I realized I had been going to the doctor, filling prescriptions, etc., for about three months without being insured. Fortunately, I was able to get insurance, and the pharmacy where I'd racked up quite a bill gave me till the end of this semester to pay them back. I've already paid the majority of the bill off, but today when I arrived to pick up some refills, I was reminded three times (once quite loudly for everyone in the entire pharmacy to hear) by three different people that I still had a balance. Hello! By now everyone who works at this pharmacy knows my shame, but conveniently forgets the surrounding circumstances, such as 1) I am a graduate student who makes around $1,200 a month and 2) that I just had to pay for my new insurance- about $1,000- all at once. And it's not like I can actually forget the fact that I owe someone money, not me. It was terribly embarrassing... probably the most embarrassed I've been since I was oh, say, thirteen.

When I got home (nearly crying at this point) I sat down at my desk to call my mom and share my sad story, hoping that she would offer to pay some of my bill. Now I certainly do not like asking my parents for money, especially considering that they know I can't afford, like, anything on a TA's salary so they make up the difference. However, I was feeling majorly desperate. I had gotten about ten words out when I opened the most amazing email telling me I had gotten the job!

On Monday I interviewed for the position with the President's two speechwriters, her chief of staff, and executive assistant. It was super nerve-wracking, but amazing, too, since I was in the inner sanctum (I can't wait to go back!). Not only will this job bring in some extra cash, but it's also an incredible opportunity to observe the administrative side of higher education. And let's face it... even though I love what I'm studying, I can only write so much about it without hating my work, my topic, and myself. That's just the life of a graduate student. This job will be a way to do something I love--writing--without all of the emotional involvement/angst.

So, what does my new job entail besides hobnobbing around the inner sanctum (ha ha)? Well, according to the job description, I get to "research for and/or write speeches, briefings, and other documents for key executive positions; assist in the planning and editing of communication vehicles; and may be responsible for editorials, press releases, articles or correspondence, as needed."

And that's how my day turned around. Just like that! Now, onto the really important stuff like what should I wear my first day of work?!