Part of moving to a brand new city is starting over with jobs and career. I used to say that no matter how short of a time you left New York, you were always starting over when you came back. There's a novelty about that 'new kid in town' feeling. Sometimes it works to your advantage, because people want to capitalize on that. But more often than not, it is an unsettling place to be.
I have a Master's Degree. Fun fact about me.
I was the first in my family to earn a post graduate degree. I don't use it though. I have been wanting, over the past few years, to put myself in a position where I could actually apply it, mainly in academia. It's ironic that I want to go back to school as a professor, considering in high school, I couldn't WAIT to get out. In undergrad, I couldn't WAIT to get to NYC.
Grad school, however, was different. I felt like I took my time. I really tried to be present in everything I was doing. Maybe it was the Meisner training. But since the curriculum is completely in your field of interest, no prerequisite English or History class to distract you, it's kind of like camp. I'd also had my teeth kicked in by life for a few years after graduating college (I waited almost four years to go back, in which time I moved to NYC, toured nationally, moved back to NYC, tried to go back to school, freaked out, moved to LA, didn't make it more than 3 months, moved back home with my parents, and FINALLY committed to grad school), so I think I was ready to go back to school and get better at what I was wanting to do.
All this to say, I've been meaning to put my credentials to use.
I have been interview for jobs that have nothing to do with that. For now. Things that will pay the bills in time between and ultimately, help me get to where I want to be. I can't help but feel, however, that they will be a distraction to my pursuit.
2 things you should know about me:
1. I'm annoyingly punctual.
2. I'm highly adaptive and know how to do a lot of things okay.
Versatility is a great trait for a human being but works against you with a casting agent. They want you to be one thing or do one thing really well so they can have an idea what to do with you. I have never been that. Maybe that's part of why I haven't been on Broadway. But because I am versatile in real life, I have learned many skills to survive. A few to a level where I have been offered alternate jobs and careers.
Which brings me right back to this week. Taking interviews for jobs that I don't pine for careers in. For now. To get me to where I want to be. Which is...I have no idea. But I'm trying to enjoy the journey as much as the destination. Who knows what I might pick up along the way. Just like I was present in grad school, I try to be present every day of this journey and stay in tune with any signals life might be throwing at me.
Everything in life is only for now. A bunch of puppets taught me that years ago, and it seems to be a mantra to get me through this transition.