A Bi-focal view: Landed a job - finally - February 2010.

13 June update...The following blog from February 2010 has been edited a bit. I wanted to preserve the essence of my feelings when I landed the job at the university. But since I was, as the saying goes, unceremoniously let go less then four months later, I think it best to edit out identifying remarks. The video blog from 12th June conveys my surprise, consternation and ...etc... but I think it best not to be too specific as to department and faculty. But the gist is absolutely honest.

_________________________________________________________________

February 2010

Several months ago, I wrote a dirge about how difficult it was getting a 'decent' job at my age of 57/58. While I don't retract any of that, I have finally succeeded in getting a position that is a good fit for employer and employee.

I've done graduate research into retirement - really I have! - and for several years the business press has almost burst its margins with gloom and doom articles about the coming labour shortage. After some time off work and a move back to my home province (and some static from an insurer re a disability claim), I took early retirement a while back.

My intention was not to return to the same level of employment (nor remuneration, of course), as I was burnt out from the workplace politics and ... well... just burnt out from hearing loss, depression and the usual psychological complications besides the workplace complications. My ultimate plan was to work on my writing, do a lot more reading, rest up and then become a semi- not a full-retiree. I had hoped to get involved again with teaching business management, marketing theory or organizational development/behaviour to adults. But it didn't work out that way when I came up against union seniority lists (and that is not a negative, just a reality).

While occasional or part-time work was my goal, I was open to the correct full-time position, but couldn't land it. My experience and credentials piqued interest but then seemed to scare off recruitment panels - my feeling being that my intention to dial-down my work was suspect - misinterpreted as me hiding something negative rather than offering champagne skills on a beer salary. I have a decent pension and didn't want to build another career, but rather offer good value at a job.
My covering letters were eloquent, passionate and truthful. I started thinking being too truthful was becoming a negative, but integrity finally found someone who listened rather than misjudged. My values, my experience (i.e my age) and my enthusiasm were received as positives and not negatives. The job needed someone who could start and not need a long incubation, and someone familiar with post-secondary politics as well as moving change forward.

My new position in a local university has a lot of clerical work, but I knew that going in. But the job calls for a lot of faculty interaction, needing someone who can work collegially, but also be willing to be firm when necessary - not to disrespect anyone, but to be a departmental champion as well as occasional shield. I am enjoying my job's variety, as I bounce from my office to meetings back to office tasks.

My goal has long been to return to the university of my undergrad days i some capacity, and I've managed to do that. It is exciting, at least to me, to be part of the educational experience, even as a backroom player. But I know that the better and more productive the processes that I administer, the better the faculty and student experience.So, I have moved frombitter to better. And my friends and family have noticed that I seem to be happier than I've been in months. You know... I must have missed being in charge, as that's really all I've been for most of my career. And now I am again, but on a smaller canvas - and I am very pleased about that.