On a Louisville Safari: Hunting for Job

Getting a little disgruntled because I have a bachelor's and almost a Masters and no "real" job. By "real" I mean something professional in and office, university, library, or museum--those are my preferences (though by no means in any particular order).

I figured this semster would allow me to finally get a chance at having a "real" job. Always I placed school first. I never worked while in college til my senior year, and it was rough because I was working like 30 hours a week in addition to class. I have to work in grad school now because my parents agreed to fund undergrad, and once I hit grad I was on my own. Fair enough. I didn't get a teaching assistantship my first or second (current) year, so I had to look for an outside job and take out a loan. I always had some class in the middle of the day at least once a week. So I couldn't get a regular 9-5 job in an office or something like that.

This semester I have only one class that's on Thursdays 4-6:45. I thought surely I'd be able to find a job, and that having to take off early one day a week wouldn't be a problem. Went to the temp agency today and told that with my schedule there was nothing available. ARJGHJKFHJFDH!!!! The lady told me I should consider substitute teaching--which I have thought of, but am a little scared to do.

So now my current employment options are retail, restaurant, or substitute teaching. Those are the only jobs that allow enough "flexibility" to accommodate my one day a week a class. Sheesh.

Subbing wouldn't be so bad, except I'm nervous I can't manage a classroom or that I'll end up having to teach a subject I'm terrible at. I know 9 times out 10, it's just take attendance and pop in a DVD, but still. Kids can be vicious and will exploit any weakness. I'm short, really short and look like I'm still in middle school or a freshman in high school. I have a friend who is short in stature too though, and she handled subbing really well even when a major fight broke out in the class. She became a preferred sub and actually got a job for one of the teachers who went on maternity leave early. However, in being a sub, you have to spend money to take a TB test, get a physical, and get a criminal background check. That can cost quite a lot, especially since I don't have insurance (though I will be looking into it soon). I'm not sure I want to spend the money, when I may not fare well in the job and am not looking into going into education.

Restaurant work isn't too bad because there generally aren't blackout dates, and there's lots of flexibility. Plus free or discounted food. If I'm a waitress, I could make tips; though I'd have to work at a place where I didn't have to carry a ton of heavy stuff at once. Hostessing could work out maybe. If I have to work retail, I'd like it to be at least in a bookstore, which I've never worked in, but always wanted to. Of course that's like putting a kid in a candy store. I'd imagine I'd spend quite a portion of my check on books, though apparently you can check out new releases free for a week so long as you don't bend the spine. I've read a hell of a lot of books and can recommend plenty for a variety of age groups and genres.

I applied at the university library, but man I'd be taking a pay cut from my last job. Granted I would still be making around $7.25 if I didn't apply for lead sales of the ladies' shoe department which boosted me up to $8.25. I didn't apply to work the check out desk, but in a specific department like reference and technical and rare books. If I worked at a regular public library, I'm sure I'd be paid less and have less hours, since the libraries in Louisville have had to cut back operating hours because of lack of funds.

I'm really hoping to find something as a freelance or regular writer for an anime or gaming website. Or even a localizing job for anime/manga/gaming--localizing for those of you who don't know is kind of like editing. You take the words that have been literally translated from one language to English, and put them in modern English idiom a.k.a. comprehensible form. I know you don't make bank on that, but it'd be nice to be able to put my writing skills and English degree to some use.

Just gotta keep looking and for now apply for retail job so I can pay rent. Maybe something will pop up.