Well, today marked my first day back in the working world as I started my new position at a major university as a staff member. I’ve been a professional staff member at a university before, so I knew a little of what to expect.
The day was pretty uneventful… my boss was out due to a family emergency, so that was a minor setback, but the rest of the staff picked up nicely. I’m still waiting on my phone and my machine. I have been placed in a temp office (they are building a new building and so I have no space until that opens up this summer!) and given a “loaner” machine so I can start being productive.
I met most of my staff today as well. They seem like a nice bunch and I’m looking forward to working with them. One of the nice things about this particular institution is that it’s reputation precedes it… and so far, it’s living up to my expectations. The people here are bright, dedicated and nice. If you’re going to work for someone else, it might as well be in a good environment like this!
Of course, it wouldn’t be a university if there weren’t some issues… namely parking. I had to put my name in a “lottery” for a parking permit today. Otherwise, it’s a “fend for yourself” system, which on campus can be pretty bad. Oh well, I suppose if I can get used to getting up at 7am to come into work, I can get used to hunting for parking. It’s rough giving up the “come and go as I please” atmosphere of working for yourself, but then again, it’s nice not to have all the 24 hour worry and ulcers that come with it!