Like a Booty Call, but More Professionally Satisfying

At 10:30 AM yesterday, I was sitting around in my pajamas applying for part-time jobs of various stripes. My friend Maria hooked me up with a good lead on a potentially interesting position, and amid all the ads for "women who look good in latex," I actually found something of value for grant writing. Expecting a quiet morning at home until I had to run several infuriating errands before attending an orientation for new faculty for my February teaching gig, I jumped when my cell phone rang.

It was someone who I used to work with who left and joined a consulting group. Through another lead from someone with whom I used to work (see the pattern here - it's all about connections), I sent a resume to another partner there last week regarding a part-time job. My former colleague wasn't calling about that, though. (I think they decided I was unqualified for that, which is true, so I'm not too busted up about it.)

"I've got an evaluation project for a new loan fund that needs to be done by this Friday. Are you free this week?" he asked me.

"Yeah," I replied, sort of nervously, as I wasn't sure I was qualified for this either.

"Great!" He breathed a sigh of relief. "Can you be here before 12:30?"

I looked down at my sea green pajama bottoms with a print of little Eskimos and igloos scattered about. "Sure. Give me an hour."

Hustling about, I finished the application I was working on and put on more suitable attire. Within 20 minutes, I was on the subway and I strolled into the office at 11:20. There I found a very cushy project and very attractive hourly wage awaiting me. I familiarized myself with the work, then took off to run uptown, then downtown, then further downtown, then uptown again. So, except for when I do a "phone screening" interview for another job today at 3 pm (yes, also through connections), I am happy to say that I am gainfully employed this week, with potential other project work to come my way in the future. Way better than a booty call!