Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 533
Came across this again and thought I'd put in a quick update. A LOT has happened.
I searched tirelessly for a job after graduating college in May 2019 and ended up taking a position in insurance sales at the start of 2020. I had my doubts about the job but I was desperate to find something new and it was the first position I was offered, so I jumped on it. It was terrible. Cold-calling endlessly, encouraged to utilize every shady tactic I could to make a sale, low pay and zero benefits. I held on to the previous job and put in some extra hours there on the weekends.
Then the CoronaVirus took off. I went on leave at the previous job and continued to hate the insurance role. Tried to quit once with the security of having my old job as an option. The agency owner talked me into sticking it out a while (he was in sales after all). Lasted another couple weeks before having the awkward quitting conversation all over again. After a grueling three months, I was out of there. I was still on leave at the old job, and really wanted to find something new before having to return there. And then . . . . .
We got pregnant. Afte a long discussion, we decided it was best for me to stay out of work for a bit. The CoronaVirus was still new and we knew little about it, if I was home I could help with the baby, and if I accepted a different position I wouldn't be in there long enough to take an extended leave.
Our daughter arrived in October 2020. My wife wore a mask through the entire labor. We were stuck in our room for 5 days, I couldn't even walk the hallways. I forgot to pack extra boxers so I wore the same pair the entire time. We eventually made it home and are loving being new parents.
My wife decided she didn't want to return to work and stay home with our daughter instead. I began the job search again. I searched out of state, as relocating was something we were sincerely considering. We had two general areas in mind, but one offered little in terms of work. While visiting parents in AZ, I received a call from a recruiter regarding one of the applications I submitted. The call went great and she scheduled me for a second phone interview with one of the managers. That call went great as well. He scheduled me for an in-person interview, and a couple days later I made the drive from my parents place in AZ to the job site. The third interview went great as well, and a few days later I was formally offered the position. The job is in the construction equipment rental industry.
We quickly began apartment shopping in the area, planning on doing a 6 month lease and then searching for a home to buy. We signed a lease sight-unseen for a property a mile and a half from the new job. With the help of family members, we moved in on a Saturday night. I started the job on Monday morning.
I am currently one week in and really enjoying it. I can see myself here long-term. Lots to learn as I am brand new to the industry but I feel I am picking it up quickly. The manager seems like a good guy and the girl training me is very helpful. Everyone I've met over the last week (there has been many, even called a guy the wrong name on Friday, woops) seem like quality people who I can relate to.
So here we are, new baby, new job, new apartment, new state. My wife is enjoying the stay-at-home life just as much as I am enjoying work. We both feel like we are on a sort of vacation, and the idea that we live here and this is our new life hasn't fully set in.
We are happy.