I Have A Job! (And It's A Really Good One...)

I have a job.

At a think tank.

And it's really, really good...

It's almost unbelievable, and I feel more than a bit lucky, because I wasn't ever expecting to get a job this good. Perhaps a better way to phrase it would be "I was hoping I might find something this good, but was prepared to settle for far less."

The interview was the most amazing interview I'd ever had. Again, it's that idea of fit; it was probably the only interview I've ever had where I felt like I didn't have to hide who I was -- or my unusual background! (Turns out I'm not the only person at this organization with an "unusual" background.)

I'm not going to go into a lot of detail because I want to set a precedent early on of not actually blogging about my job. (I want to keep the job, after all!) But here's what's worth knowing:

1. The research this think tank does is perfectly aligned with my values/interests. This, for me, is huge. It makes such a difference to be working at a place where I'm really jazzed about the product.

2. The job itself will be challenging and interesting and exciting.

3. The job has the potential to start a career. This is also huge. I think I expected to get a "sort of okay" job at a "sort of okay" company and work there for a year or two before I could level up to a better job at a better company. But this job is the real deal. At the interview, the think tank people talked to me about what could happen in "the future," given my potential and the needs of the organization. I like their theoretical career path.

4. As soon as I get my first paycheck, I won't be poor anymore. ^__^

5. The people I'll be working with are so smart. ^__^