An Anniversary today.....

This time last year, I worked a half day at work. I then went with Cookie and Lauren to Projekt Revolution in Raleigh. I learned I do not like Linkin Park....at all. But, the cool part of the story is that before the concert, I received a call while we were tailgating in the parking lot.



That call was one that brought me where I am today.

After working with Ambassador Joseph for six + years, I started looking for a new job. I loved the travel, I loved my bosses, but I just needed a new challenge. It was time to leave South Africa behind. I was in a new phase of my life, and I needed new scenery and new experiences. Therefore, I embarked on the very frustrating and scary process of searching for a new job. I didn't want just any new job - I have my standards. I wanted to work for a company that I believed in - one that was guided by mission and not dollars. I am the forever nonprofit worker, but I also didn't want to be stuck making $28K/year.

I had applied and interviewed for jobs at Self-Help in years prior. Marketing jobs, research jobs, I was even offered one, but the pay was so low I had to say no. But in 2007, another marketing job opened up, and I gave it a shot. After a great phone interview, the woman on the other end of the line said, "You know, I think you are just too over qualified for this job. But we do have another position open that may fit you better." I agreed to let my resume be turned over to someone else, and I was asked in for an interview for a "Lending Project Manager" position. Honestly, I didn't really understand what they were looking for at all. But, I liked the people I met, and the prospect sounded promising. It went well, but then I hear nothing. Zilch. Zero. For about a month and a half.

Then, out of the blue, I get a call from Brian (who is now my boss) asking me if I would be interested in coming in to meet the rest of the staff. I was surprised and said sure. So, I came into the office, met with the legal counsel, the closing team, the marketing director and a loan officer. Then, I had to take a financial analysis test (which to this day I have no idea how I performed). It was a good day, but after my last experience, I figured it would be a while before I heard anything.

That brings us back to Projekt Revolution. As Cookie, Lauren and I downed beers in the parking lot, my phone rang. It was Brian - with a job offer and the salary I had requested. It was too good to be true. It was then on the phone that I said, "I accept the offer." It was very exciting, and it still is. It was terribly difficult to say goodbye to Ambassador Joseph and Lance, but they are both still in my life. They were proud of me and sad to see me go at the same time - but they were beyond supportive.

I didn't start the job at Self-Help until mid September, but we will talk more about that when the anniversary hits. I just wanted to celebrate today, as it put me on an exciting new career path (it's not just a job anymore - I have a CAREER) that I never would have expected. Feel good finance - it's out there, and I love it!!!!!

Lived through the first week

I made it through my first week - wow. I am exhausted. I was so used to being at work and not having to really "think" all that much because I knew everything backwards and forwards. Now, every little thing is mentally challenging. When I get home in the evening, I am absolutely wiped. Last night, Mike and I went to dinner and ran a few errands. We got home, laid down upstairs, and next thing I knew, we were waking up in the morning.

It is all Greek to me right now, but everyone in the office is really supportive. No question is stupid. I was sent to a conference Thursday and Friday, and next Tuesday I get to go on my first site visit. I will learn how to evaluate construction sites! woo hoo!

Okay, I am going to rest some more. More fun stuff coming soon, I promise.

I'm back! (for a minute anyway)

SO sorry I haven’t blogged in a while. The first official day at my new job was this past Monday, September 17^th. Although I have been working rather normal hours, learning all this stuff is quite exhausting. I have been successfully orientated to Self-Help (or as Mike says, I “drank the Kool-Aid.”) During orientation, there was a huge emphasis on the values of the organization, which are:

1) Mission* Before Self

2) Achieve Results, Deflect Credit

3) Celebrate Our Diverse Perspectives

4) Embrace and Promote Change

5) Financial Sustainability Gives Us Strength

* The mission of Self-Help is to create and protect ownership and economic opportunity for people of color; women; rural residents and low-wealth families and communities.

I can 100% commit to those values and that mission. I have found a great organization to work for. As for work though, right now I am just trying to learn the language. I am doing a lot of manual reading and watching other people do stuff. Tomorrow and Friday, I will be attending the NC Charter Schools Conference, and next week I will probably do more reading and more watching other people. We are supposed to close a couple loans next week, so I am hoping I will get to play an active role in the few coming up after those. Next Friday is also moving day on our floor – renovations are just being completed, and we all move into our correct offices next week. I am looking forward to having my own space rather than squatting in someone else’s office (although I will miss this great view of downtown Durham from my current office).

I think Mike and I are off to Charlotte this weekend for a housewarming party, and next weekend is campout for Duke basketball tickets. The week after that is Dad’s visit and BEERFEST! Yay!

Okay, lunch is over and I have a 1pm meeting. Will try to write more soon!

Time Flies When you're Saying Goodbye

It is 6pm the day before my last day at the Center for Leadership and Public Values. It has flown. I looked up this morning and it was noon. I looked up 5 minutes ago, and it was two hours later. How does this happen?

Even as much as one prepares themselves, saying goodbye is difficult to do - even when you know the goodbye is necessary. The is not the first time in my life I have had this feeling. I thought I would be cool and calm all day. In fact, when I left the house this morning, I told Mike, "I often have this problem. A momentous occasion presents itself, and it doesn't phase me. I know I should be emotional, but I am not. Then I feel bad for not being emotional and instead become emotional about not being emotional." Although it makes little sense, I have faced that a lot in my life, too. Graduations, big life events, etc - I know it is a big deal, but it feels so common place to me by that time that I don't get too flustered by the events as they actually happen.

Well, I normally think that anyway. Just like today. Then, this afternoon, Ambassador Joseph got up in front of the Sanford Institute staff and said the nicest things. My throat got that big lump in it, and my eyes started to well up with tears. I had to say thanks to everyone, so I pushed it back down and proceeded to thank everyone for six great years of service. But I can already tell that tomorrow will be emotional. My office is cleared of my personal belongings, my bulletin board is empty except for generic Duke information, and my name won't be on the door after tomorrow.

It's hard to leave something and someone(s) you love - even when you know it's time. Although growth, new opportunities and new happiness are waiting, it is hard to say goodbye to so much that you hold dear.

Awesome

I went by Self-Help this morning and picked out my office. YAY!

UPDATE: If you are curious - it is on the 7th floor of the Self-Help building in downtown Durham. Unfortunately, I don't have any windows (all offices are given based on seniority), but my space is pretty darn spacious. Nice new furniture, away from elevator shafts and front doors - it should be a great place to work. I will need to create my own lighting system (yucky fluorescents), but I can get that done on a weekend! When I get moved in and set up in mid-September, I will share some pictures :-)

A new era

I can't believe I am actually typing this. After five years and 10 months, I will be turning in my resignation at Duke later this week. I have been our center's program manager since the doors opened at the University. As hard as it is to do so, it is time to move on. I do not want to do administrative work as a career, so I need to take a step in another direction. And that direction is Self-Help.


I received the official offer letter today - asking me to join the Charter School Lending Team as a Program Manager. Yeah, I don't know either! This will be my first official "career change." It is a whole new field for me, but I know I can figure it out. I will be learning community development, lending and finance. Who would have ever thought I would be here? Not me! But I think this is an excellent next step in finding my place in trying to make communities stronger. How better to learn about community development than to give people money??

I am nervous - I am leaving a safety zone that has been fantastic. I have worked with some of the most amazing people in the world . Ambassador Joseph has been phenomenal. Lance has been fantastic. I will miss traveling to South Africa. I will miss my friends I work with at the University. There is a lot I will miss.

But I am looking forward to a new change. This is going to be great folks. I will keep you posted!