I knew when I retired that I would need to work part time for a few years. First, to build up my liquid cash reserves and have money to travel and secondly to get me out of the house and around people. However, I didn't think it would be so long.
It's not like I haven't enjoyed my retirement. I have. And, it would be great not to need this job. But, I do need it on so many different levels besides what I mentioned above.
It took longer to get a job because I needed the time to heal from the turmoil of 2010. Emotionally, I wasn't ready to work, although the last couple of months my bank account was starting to look scary.
I had applied back in February with Kelly Temp Services. Although I did extremely well on both the interview and skill tests, the only two jobs offered me were long term and a long way from my house - equivalent to at least an hour drive to and from work. No thank you. This spring I started applying to local collages. Nada. But, I had a list of websites I checked weekly and bi-weekly and planned to keep trying. I was getting a little concerned, though. I needed a part time job.
I had applied on and off to be a Library Assistant with the Sequoyah Regional Library System, which serves three counties here in Georgia - Cherokee, Pickins and Gilmore. Never got called for an interview. Then, in February they experienced huge budget cuts and lay offs. Oh, well . . .
I still checked out the library website for job openings. And, in late May they had openings for both a Research Assistant and a Library Assistant at a library in my area. I applied for both. I was called to interview for the Research Assistant on Monday, interviewed on Tuesday and was offered the job on Friday! Yippee!
It is the perfect job for me. I work 16-17 hours a week, the pay is more than minimum wage, I work only every 4th Saturday, I never work later than 6pm and I GET TO WORK IN A LIBRARY! I'm learning so much, too. The people I work with are great and I am working with the public, which is fun. Yes, parts of my job are rather tedious, but overall it is a perfect fit. If I wasn't in a library I would be whistling while I work!
I got my first paycheck. hehehehehe It was only for 27 hours, but I was as thrilled as if I made my first million! LOL Another thing I find so rewarding is seeing so many books come across my path that I have read. And, I am starting a list of books/authors I want to read. Plus, learning the ins and outs of helping people do research is very interesting.
I am so fortunate! I'm happy and so is my bank account. Now, I better start researching English gardens, or maybe Tuscany or possibly Paris. Where's my passport?
Sounds great! And, there's nothing better than that first paycheck after not getting one for awhile!
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