You Say Goodbye and I Say Hello

October 14, 2012

I knew when I took my first job it wouldn’t be my job forever. Like most people in my generation I assumed I’d work there 1-2 years and then transition to something new. Well my new adventure begins on Wednesday. When my event planning company admitted that they were unsure when they would be able to bring me on full time I saw it as an opportunity to research full-time jobs. Stressed, anxious and unhappy, I felt exactly like I did a few months ago when I first started applying for jobs. After a few weeks of hysteria and lack of sleep, I received an offer! It was my first real official full-time offer and I decided it was meant to be. I would transition from my 4 insane months as an Executive Assistant at a hectic event planning company to become an Account Manager at a marketing and social media startup for local businesses.

The past month has included some serious self-reflection time. Since 8^th grade I’ve known I wanted to work in event planning but when people would ask what kind I never had an answer. I assumed event planning was event planning and if I was planning parties I’d be happy. The event planning company I worked for specialized in media and VIP events. We would slave over elaborate décor, creative food and drinks and unique venues but the media and VIP attendees never would seem enthused as it was their job to attend such events nightly. I came to learn that the type of events that excite me the most are consumer events. When I studied abroad in London I was introduced to elaborate and wacky events that made me ooohh and ahh the moment I walked inside and I still haven’t stopped talking about these parties months and years later. These are the events I love and these are what I want to be planning. I want to inspire and excite other people like me who crave and hunt for such experiences. While I won’t be planning such parties as an Account Manager, I know I will in the future because it’s what I’m meant to do.

Part of me feels guilty leaving the event planning company after they have invested in me for 4 months and I’ve done so much to try and improve the organization and efficiency of the office. Another part of me doesn’t feel guilty at all. Why should I be unhappy with my job as a 22 year old? I realized that I’m not meant to be an assistant. I was unsatisfied not having my own responsibilities but instead it being my main responsibility to help my boss with his projects. With the support and motivation of my family I have the opportunity to make decisions that are best for me right now. So for now it’s time to say goodbye to Pinterest, sourcing pillows and tying ribbons for a living. My day job is going to be a real job with Excel and data analysis, but the greatest perk is that I get to leave at 6pm daily, giving me the free time to actually have a social life and do the things I love, like stocking my Etsy shop and coordinating activities for my friends.

I’m looking forward to my next step. Starting next week, I’ll have up to 100 clients that I am personally responsible for. As the clients’ main point of contact I will be their resource for all their marketing and social media questions. Sure, it might not be as glam or exciting as throwing champagne events in 7 story townhouses, but I’m ready to try something new.

-Miraya