I had wonderful job experiences during my college years. So wonderful, in fact, that I barely planned what kind career I’d have once I graduated. I assumed it would work itself out. During college, I was too busy trying to keep my head afloat with school and personal matters. I graduated with an English degree and career options were never discussed in any course. I was clueless.
Now, let’s go back to 2002 when I entered my freshman year at Drexel University . . .
Adrienne as Work/Study Student
Upon moving to Philadelphia to study music business at Drexel University, I decided that I needed a part-time job. I liked making money and, after my lucrative summer job, I couldn’t imagine not having an income. I qualified for work/study, so I got a job monitoring the practice rooms in the music department.
I soon grew restless and a friend of mine suggested that I work at the library with her as a circulation assistant. I loved this job and a career in librarianship was suggested by my supervisor. I politely declined and thought it sounded like the most boring career ever. I was too busy trying to become a rock star, or, at the very least, manager of a rock band and girlfriend of a rock star. I had no time for libraries.
Ironic, I know. Who could have known that years later I would go to library school.
Adrienne as Lawyer’s Assistant
I left Drexel after my freshman year because I wasn’t happy there and, for me, it was not worth $38,000 (!!!!) per year. I transferred to a community college for a semester while I tried to figure out my next move. I applied to NYU and auditioned for their music business school, but I didn’t get in. If I was smarter, I would have applied to their English department, but I had vague notions of still being involved in the entertainment field. At this point, I wanted to become an entertainment lawyer.
After I didn’t get into NYU, I decided that I’d study English at the University of Maryland. Around that time, I also landed a job as an assistant to a lawyer. I worker with the lawyer for about two or three years. I was good at my job and I really liked my boss. I learned a lot about the legal profession - mainly that I didn’t want to become a lawyer.
I also took care of her dogs. She had two pugs, Mugsy and Buddah, and a cute little white mutt named Gizmo. One day I witnessed a sexual act between the two pugs that resulted in puppies a few months later. It was the most traumatizing/cute thing I’d ever witnessed in my life. Well, the resulting puppies were cute, not the dog sex.
Adrienne as Babysitter
My best friend loves all babies and children. I like babies and children, but not all of them. Actually, I like SOME babies and children. No, more accurately, I like A FEW babies and children. (These include my nieces, nephews, cousins and other random children I’ve encountered.)
Anyway, one day I met my friend for coffee and she brought along two adorable little girls. They had great personalities and were well-behaved. They let us chat about life and boys while listening patiently. The girls told me that their mom had written a book and dedicated it to them. I thought that was super cool. They were pleasant and fun.
A few weeks later, my friend told me that they needed a babysitter during the week. I liked the girls and the pay was decent, so I thought I’d give it a try. It was worth the half hour drive from my apartment. I ended up babysitting for them, off and on, for four or five years.
I learned a lot during this time. I bonded with them and began to think differently about becoming a parent one day. I began to think of my own childhood as well. I babysat for a few other kids in their neighborhood, but I never quite enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed babysitting my two little buddies.
Side note: Taking care of kids is EXHAUSTING. It’s far more tiring than sitting in front of a computer all day. Much respect to caregivers and stay-at-home moms!
I don’t think I was the best babysitter because I’m not that great at discipline and I’m a bit of a pushover. My saving grace, and favorite part of the job, is that I have a vivid imagination and can relate to kids. I enjoy being silly and creative. This experience meant a lot more to me personally than professionally.
Their mother is a writer and has given me great advice about my writing career and other professional decisions. She felt maternal towards me and worried about my plans (or lack thereof) at times. I could sense that she knew how scary post-college life could be and tried to warn me.
Boy, was she right.
Up next: The First Year After College
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