Second Place is Just the First Loser

by blank at 05:49 PM on September 24, 2005

Well, the new job didn't really work out. I was #2 in a group of 200 applicants and the #1 guy beat me out with more experience. It's too bad, but I wasn't really ready to move right now anyway. The place was 100% corporate in a tower full of beige cubicles. Not much fun for a designer. I know I would have felt like Claire in her temp job at the end of Six Feet Under — a creative constrained by pantyhose. On the positive side, I did leave with a good contact and the opportunity to pick up some freelance work in the future which I think would be a better deal.

This whole interviewing process has put a bit of a strain on my relationship with my girlfriend. It's mostly the idea of me moving and her catching up with me after she finishes grad school that doesn't sit well. She's been in a situation like that before and when she "caught up" she was cut out, resulting in a divorce. I can understand her uneasiness, I mean, we aren't even married, but that can't be the only reason for me to not look for greener pastures.

There is never a good time for two people to move. There is always going to be good reasons why one wants to stick around a little longer. It seems like grad school is a never-ending ordeal for her and I have to take advantage of opportunity when I get it because the graphic design job market is competitive. If I get a chance to advance, I better take it.

The whole reason for wanting a new job is to gain the ability to become established, buy a house and have the funds to support a future family. Now it seems like attaining my career goal may end up ruining the chances of finding my future family. Maybe I'm just going about this the wrong way. I should just do what makes me happy now and hope the money is there when I need it.