My "Shitty" First Job

A little over a week ago, I started my first job, post grad school. While it will only last a few weeks because it is a temp job, I still thought it was worth a post ;)

I received a call from the staffing agency with some vague details of a job I could start the very next day. I asked for 5 minutes to think it over and she said, "I will give you 3."

Engineering

I told her I would take it, knowing little more than the time I needed to be there the next morning and that I would be headed to the Durham County Department of Engineering.

My family found this hilarious since my twin brother - now an engineer - stole all the math genes from my accountant mom and engineer dad. I've been the liberal artsy type my whole life but, here I was, headed to work with the engineers.

Shit

Turns out, I was actually headed to the Utility Division of the Engineering Department and I would be working at the Triangle Wastewater Treatment Plant.... which I now affectionately refer to as "the poop plant."

That's right. More humble pie as my first job with my masters is working with shit at the poop plant ;)

However, I am happy to say that I have loved the job and everyone there has been incredibly nice and welcoming.

To clarify, I'm not "knee deep in shit" all day as some of my friends and family have asked!

In fact, I stay inside, clean and free from any shit at this huge desk.

I even have two monitors which is magical!

I am filling in for the Senior Administrative Assistant until they can hire a replacement for the lady who used to be in that position.

I have been able to learn a lot about the plant and some accounting and budgeting skills as we have been busy wrapping up the fiscal year and processing all of that paperwork. That has been great since I did not have a ton of experience in that before this job.

Security

In addition to learning that and serving as the receptionist (answering the phone, greeting guests, sending and receiving mail, etc.), I am also part security guard.

This department is tied in with homeland security so people cannot just freely enter the building. I have to buzz them in and get their ID info and sign them in. I also have security camera feeds on my desk. Who'd have thunk it? Sarah the security guard at the poop plant!?!

Makin' Friends

All joking aside, it has been great and I look forward to working there the next couple of weeks. I was suffering from cabin fever being at home too much so it is great to get out of the house to make money and have social interaction.

I have really enjoyed getting to know the people who work there. I've realized that is the unwritten part of my job description: listening and chatting when people stop by my desk. I've especially hit it off with my supervisor, Corinna, who is in the office right beside my desk.

Friday, after she got back from her lunch break, she called me into her office and asked me to shut the door. This had not happened yet so I thought, "Oh no. I must be in trouble! What was it that I did wrong?" and I was slightly panicked.

She said that she did not normally do this but that I was doing a really great job, that she appreciated all my help and liked working with me. At this point, I was starting to relax as I was sensing that I had not been called into her office for a reprimand. She finished by saying that she also knew I was new to the area so she just wanted to get me a little something as a thank you and a housewarming gift!?! Then she pulled this out from behind her desk:

She had been running errands on her break and when she was in the store, she saw some items that she knew I could use from all the conversations we had during the previous work week. How sweet was that?? She got me some flower pots for my patio garden, a journal because I like to write, some battery powered candles since my apartment doesn't allow real ones and a few other very thoughtful gifts.

You can tell she is great at her administrative job because of her attention to detail and her planning - she even got batteries in case I didn't have them. BUT, she also is a pro at putting together thoughtful gifts because she has done this several times before; shout out to her website where you can check out her other crafty and kind work!

I was blown away as she has set the bar high for my next supervisor and job. Everyone there has. I have enjoyed going into work each day and I hope I can say the same for my next job :)

Say a Prayer...

Lastly, some of the guys have promised me a tour of the plant so I can see what all they do. It is way more than you might imagine.  I've been told I have to wear tennis shoes so I can get around better as we explore the plant. However, even in tennis shoes, y'all know my accident-prone self has a tendency to be a bit clumsy. So say a prayer that I don't have a Sarah Grace situation near the shit ;) But if I do, rest assured, there will be another blogpost coming soon after it!