Thursday, June 21, 2007

Headed South

I know it's been a long time since I last updated this blog, but I wanted to have something meaningful, or at the very least, exciting, to report, therefore the long delay.

For a week before, I received reports from from my spies (AKA friends used as references). Every time one of them chatted with the background officer from Santa Barbara they called me right after to relay the cliff notes version of their conversations. This gave me a general idea of how my chances at future employment were progressing.

June 21st (the summer solstice) at 4:30pm (give or take five minutes), that same background officer called me. A few general pleasantries, butterflies to rival no other, a cracking voice and the question was out and answered: "Why do you think that I'm calling?" "To tell me that I have a job!" "Yep!" So maybe not in those exact words, but that's the gist of the conversation.

So that's it, 9 months of looking at postings, writing out mini-book essay questions, interviews, sleepless nights spent worrying and wondering, excitement, disappointment, more waiting....and finally, a job offer and a potential start date.

July 16th, 2007...the day that I will officially become a Forensic Technician for the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Department. The day I become a government employee and the day that I start my trek into the un-charted territories of real world careers, and staying in one place for a bit. It's going to take some adjustment, but I think that with time, I'll manage.

Today, June 28th, 2007, is my last official day at my old company, Forensic Science Associates. I've been working here on and off for the last two and a half years plus change and now it's time to say goodbye. I wonder if I would even have applied for any Criminalist or Forensic positions if I had never worked here and gotten a taste of the field. So I say thanks to my mentor and my co-workers for everything that they've shared with me and for nurturing my curiosity in this field. Let's see if I can do anything with the seeds that they've planted.

To everyone else out there, you now have a place to stay if you ever make it to beautiful Santa Barbara....that's a hint for you to come visit ;~)