My alley

[saanen]

I've started a new temp job at an office in downtown Knoxville. It's a rotten, stressful job (well, not too bad, but not any fun either) but I can't afford to be picky. And it has the benefit of windows looking out onto an alley

Comments

[lertulo]

But, but... you hate temping. Temping pays so little, and that so irregularly. Temping does not provide health care benefits. Temping does not allow you to grow into a position and learn new skills. Temping will not give you a chance to improve your career. You've written about how much you hate
temping for a decade now.

Why are you temping, again?

[saanen]

This is a short-term solution to the cash-flow problem! In other words, I'm temping because the #*@& library system is slower than Christmas when it comes to filling its positions. I've applied as Children's Room Assistant and as Assistant Archivist and I've made the first cut on both (which is a pretty big deal, actually), but they have yet to start the interview process for either.

This weekend I'm going to look into other library systems in the area. Problem is, smaller systems don't need full-time assistants and I'm not qualified for a full-blown librarian position. But there's bound to be a library system somewhere in East Tennessee that needs me! Man oh man, if they only knew what a treasure I am!

[lertulo]

So the job you want isn't available to you yet. That doesn't really explain temping, though, does it? I mean, let's say the job you want opens tomorrow and they want you. You'll quit your current job in order to take this new one, right? So why does the "current job" have to be from a temp agency? If it's a full-time job working for twice as much money and full health benefits, you're still able to quit and take your dream job when it appears.

Or, let's take the other side of that coin. Let's say, just for fun, that they still haven't called you next month. Not a big surprise: this position hasn't made progress for how long? So now, you've been temping for another month. Have you made progress--more money, new skills, a future career, health benefits, a place to live on your own? Nope. Just temping, and still hating every minute of it. Except, perhaps, when you're staring out the window at the alley

[saanen]

Yeah, but I actually don't think it's professional to take a job and quit it as soon as one I like better comes along--not when it may very well come along in a matter of weeks.

You know my education and experience. What sort of job do you suggest I look for?