A new start

A few days ago I completed my last exam. I sent off my graduation application which has been approved. Now I am patiently awaiting the paper in which my accounting degree is written. It will sit neatly next to my previous bachelors that has been collecting dust for the past five or so years.

I guess first a little bit about myself. I'm a twenty something (I can still claim that) stay at home mother and former Navy wife trying to get out and start working for the first time. That is doing "real work". For some reason gestating, birthing, nursing, wiping noses and behinds, and all the other joys of motherhood don't really amount to much on a resume. Mix that in to an economy where unemployment is over 10%, well, things are very slow going right now.

I'm trying to keep my chin up. I've been quite frustrated, to say the least. My family is depending on me to support them and so far I'm coming up with nothing.

Yesterday I went to my first job fair. I drove the hour into Nashville, canceling previous plans that I had made. What I found there was less than impressive. For $399 I could purchase a starter kit for Proactive and run my own business- money back guarantee! There was also the opportunity to sell insurance which quickly turned into a sales pitch to sell me insurance. I can afford $20 a month, right? I mean, what would happen to my children if something were to happen to me?

Of the legitimate jobs there, one was more interested in knowing about my husband. Another told me that the accounting department was just streamlined last year and the two ladies in front of me were what was left. One kept a smile on her face as she talked of being overworked.

There was one place looking for a staff accountant. Perfect! I'll just go submit my resume. I mean, job fairs are looking for resumes, right? It was refused and I was told to go to their website to submit an application. No personality, no networking, no speaking with the people who work there. How is anyone starting out supposed to get a chance?

I left feeling so deflated. I came home, picked up my boys from the daycare that I have no idea how I'm going to afford, and went to the store and spent more than I probably should have on things that we needed. Just another day on my journey into accountancy.