So today was pretty aggravating to say the least. For the past six months I have been working at a small law firm outside of Philadelphia as the executive assistant. As I currently have yet to finish my degree (in part because I can't finance it on my own, and secondly because even if I could afford to take a few classes I'm still not 100% certain what I want to do) this job was a godsend. I had amazing hours, great pay, and my boss was pretty nice.

However, my boss lacks organization more than anyone I have ever met, and no matter how organized I am/try to get him to be things just weren't working out. Getting my boss to sit down and do time or any other relevant administrative tasks is near to impossible, and on top of that he likes to disappear from the office without a word for long hours everyday.

Today, after he failed to show up in the office at all until nearly 4pm (I leave at 4:30) he called me into his office to talk. He started the conversation with, "I'm sure you have seen the recent bank statements..." and I knew where he was going. We haven't had many new clients come in since I started, and the few large clients he did have haven't been replenishing their retainers on a regular basis. Basically he told me that he can't afford to keep me on and that he would have to get himself more organized to be able to justify keeping an assistant in the first place (ya think?!). He paid me thru to January 15th, and apologized again. I feel bad because I know that he is a good guy and that he seems to be struggling right now but I am going crazy!

Every time I feel like I have something good going and like (financially at least) I may be getting back on my feet, something goes wrong. After I packed up my stuff and left I called Dan and started to cry. He told me not to worry (as did my friend that we are renting from now) but I can't help it. I started fixing up my resume and making some phone calls as soon as I got home. I just wish I could afford to go to school like most of my friends so that I would have something that would make me a bit more marketable under my belt. I'm tired of unfulfilling and repetitive work.

Right now I just don't know what to do and I hate that.

I'm sorry doll. That really really sucks! I hope you find a new job soon!
btw you're totally gorgeous!

I will keep you guys updated. I would really like to get into one of the preschool/daycare centers near our new house. I love working with children (I have 4 younger siblings, a niece [a nephew on the way] and Dan has 2 nephews [one, Benton Robert, whom was just born yesterday!]). I feel like I would feel more fulfilled doing something like that than a boring office job.


Thank you, Britney! You are looking great too!

Quote from: Jacquelyn on January 06, 2011, 12:49:25 AM
I will keep you guys updated. I would really like to get into one of the preschool/daycare centers near our new house. I love working with children (I have 4 younger siblings, a niece [a nephew on the way] and Dan has 2 nephews [one, Benton Robert, whom was just born yesterday!]). I feel like I would feel more fulfilled doing something like that than a boring office job.


Thank you, Britney! You are looking great too!

Thanks. If you need someone to talk to you can PM me here <3

I'll keep that in mind.

I should probably try to get some shut eye now... It's a little after 2am. I am usually not up this late anymore... *yawn*


G'night! And thank you again!

Just a thought, but can you talk to the university, explain the situation and ask if they can wait for their payements?

You don't say how long you've been studying nor how much longer you need to. But most universities and colleges are pretty keen to  have people complete courses.

That might help with part of your finances.

Well, i'm not 100% certain how things work for College in the UK, but in the US getting financial aide can be somewhat tricky. The school I was attending for a year and a half was $46,000 a year and I was receiving about $28,000 in scholarships and the rest I had to take out in private and federal loans. To get the federal loans you have to fill out a financial aide worksheet specifically mandated by the government. Because I am not 24, a ward of the state until I was 18, a veteran, or married I am required to provide my parents tax information regardless of the fact that I haven't lived with nor have I been supported by my Mother since I was 17 years old. Even when I lived with her she barely paid to support me, and my dad is a drug addict who has been MIA pretty much all my life.

My freshman year I was able to get a dependency override which gave me access to more federal loan money by my school. They accepted a petition from me along with proof of my situation from my HS guidance counselor and my children and youth social workers. It's really a pain because the next year they wouldn't grant it to me and besides that the federal government refuses to recognize my situation. I have 60 credits, so I only would have to go for another 2.5-3 years to finish a B.A. since I have most of the gen ed credits done.

It also doesn't help that I am a caucasian female from a blue collar middle class area of the state. *shrug* It's just aggravating. 

How much longer till you are 24?

If it helps any, I was made redundant last year with the excuse of 'financial reasons'.
But I managed to find another job within a couple of weeks of my last day and got a higher salary than my previous job.
So don't lose hope 

@Spacial: I will be 21 in 23 days.

@Vexing: I am trying not to get too upset. As long as I find something within a week or so I won't freak out too much. I usually end up finding something that pays more when I change jobs, I just wish that the job sector wasn't so bad right now...

I do have an interview tomorrow at 11. I found a Child Care facility right near my house that is hiring for the Toddler room. They need a full time assistant. It's actually a bit more than I was making before (just slightly, but yay!) and the woman sounded really nice on phone earlier, so fingers crossed! I'm hoping that my monroe piercing doesn't make her think I am a weirdo or incapable of working with kids... If it is something that they don't accept I guess I will have to say RIP to it if I do get the position. That makes me sad, but I was able to have it at my last job, and most places don't allow facial piercings.

Hey that's great that you already have an interview lined up! Good luck! I hope it goes well for you I think they won't look at you like a freak about your piercing but it might be a good idea to mention that if you get the job you will take it out if needed. Hopefully that isn't the case. You seem like a very nice person so I hope it goes well for you.

Craigslist is my savior. Hahaha.

And thank you Andrew! I'm hoping they think I am a nice person too. Hehe 

Quote from: Jacquelyn on January 06, 2011, 04:20:50 PM
@Spacial: I will be 21 in 23 days.

Just wondering if your university will allow you a deferrment until you're 24?

Quote from: spacial on January 06, 2011, 06:54:40 PM
Just wondering if your university will allow you a deferrment until you're 24?

They won't. The US higher education system is atrocious.

Good luck with the interview, Be sure to keep us updated!

Quote from: Britney♥Bieber on January 06, 2011, 07:07:14 PM
Good luck with the interview, Be sure to keep us updated!

Thank you! I will!   

For the past six months I have been working at a small law firm outside of Philadelphia as the executive assistant. . . . However, my boss lacks organization more than anyone I have ever met...

That pretty much a double edged sword.  Highly organized people don't need (or even want) executive assistants.  The last general manager of a theater where I work was kinda one of those disorganized types (however he ran a major rock nightclub as good as anyone I've ever seen) and he had two assistants.  The new guy is so hyper organized (and very tech savvy too) he reduced the number of assistants to zero pocketing the reduction in staff as a huge bonus.