So, things have reached a point in worky-work land that necessitates updating the resume and commencing a casual yet concentrated search for something new. Which sucks for so many reasons, but mainly the new and exciting opportunities for rejection; writing the dreaded cover letter, over and over again, with just the right mix of enthusiasm and professionalism, warmth and distance, generality and specificity; realizing I have absolutely nothing appropriate to wear to interviews (I don't do suits, pantyhose, or heels--never have, and never will if I can help it. Well, maybe for six figures. Maybe); realizing that I'm maybe on a career track that is leading nowhere, or at least certainly not toward financial security and perhaps not toward sustained job satisfaction, and wondering what the hell I should do about that. Which makes me question MY ENTIRE EXISTENCE and REASON FOR BEING. Buh.
Seriously, I am starting to wonder whether publishing is for me. It's kind of a bitchy-backstabby business, the job security is pretty shaky, and they pay you absolute crap. I love books, and I love helping to create them (well, theoretically anyway), but maybe that's not enough. Money is not exceedingly important to me--I don't need to be raking it in to feel fulfilled, certainly, and doing something I love and am excited about is more important than dollars. However, the fact that I have 7+ years experience in this business and just last year my income finally nudged above the de facto poverty line for Metro Boston is just a wee bit depressing. I want to be able to save money, buy a house someday, pay off my student loan and credit card debt, maybe eventually buy a car that's not at least 10 years old...these aren't extravagant goals, you know?
But what else would I do? I have no fucking clue, even though I've spent the whole morning obsessing about it. So I turn to you. Tell me what I might be good at, might enjoy, might make some decent money doing. Or tell me what you think my skills are--maybe I'm overlooking something. (I already know I'm good at obsessing over minutiae, worrying, procrastinating, and eating snacks, so, you know, something other than those things.) I'm being a little silly here, but I really do need some help, so please send me your ideas if you got 'em.
Thanks in advance for your time and consideration. I look forward to further discussion regarding this matter.
Sincerely,
vv