It’s been 4 weeks. It’s been great, actually. For the most part. As ridiculous as this may sound, I feel as if I’m having a life-changing experience, because I’ve been working so hard for so long that I didn’t think I was capable of stopping. And actually, I can’t stop; not really. I’ve been doing database work for fun, because I miss it. Yeah, I know I’m weird.
I started sending out resumes this week, though just a couple. It was a bit depressing to see so few ads for database administrators and practically nothing for MySQL DBAs, except in Ontario. So I’m applying to Ontario.
I was also applying for software developer positions, since that’s what I started doing before I fell in love with tables and queries, and I can do it, though it’s not my forte. And there were more job ads for coders in Vancouver, but not a lot (damn economy). I got a request for an interview from one company, reread their job ad and realized that it was a junior position for someone just out of university. Um, no. No no no. I’m not that sad.
A friend suggested I apply to his company, and there was a coder job that I’d be perfect for, involving Java development and reporting and some other stuff. The sort of ad where you read the list of required skills and go check check check. And I was interested in applying because the company is good, until I started feeling really sad. Like I was losing something.
It turns out I really just want to be a DBA. Or a DBA/coder combination of awesomeness, but still a DBA. As bad as the job market is, I’m not ready to give that up yet for the sake of money. I never knew how much it meant to me until now. And I didn’t realize how it had become part of my self-image. Though I’m glad there’s more to me than that, because I see eyes glaze over whenever I talk about my work.
So I guess in the meantime I’ll continue to do personal projects and study and learn. People keep saying that something will come up, so I’m trying not to worry and I’m trying to enjoy this rare time to relax and reflect. And that, for me, is work.
It is very hard to relax when you are unemployed. Every one thinks it is so great to have time off but the time flies and the looking is hard. Thankfully we have EI. I have to say they have been great. I have not heard from them at all and the money just keeps coming as long as I fill out those reports. Just do what you can, apply for every job that is right for you then you have done all that you can. I also set myself a deadline of Oct 1 that I would start applying for Executive Assistant like jobs if I had not landed something else…well, this job came in just under the wire! Dodged that bullet!
Psst: http://www1.athabascau.ca/hr/careers/prof/P00175