Interview

Ever since the kids were born, the plan has always been for me to return to work once they started kindergarten. The plan had been for me to apply as an Instructional Assistant (IA), which is basically the same thing as a teacher's aid, but our district calls it an IA for some reason. I followed the district webpage for job postings all last year and beginning of this summer. I had started to get stressed about it, because there wasn't really any jobs opening up that I would be interested in.

After talking with an acquaintance who has been working as a sub in the district for the past few years, I decided that I would go that route instead. My understanding, from talking to numerous people, was that I could basically work every day as a sub if I wanted to. Subs actually make pretty good money; they just don't get the benefits that full time employees get. Tony and I thought this might be the perfect way to transition back into work. As a sub, I would have the flexibility to not work if one of the twins gets sick, or to go to dentist appointments, etc. Softball season would be so much easier if I am only working as a sub. I could choose to work when I want, but could also choose not to work on days I have a lot of softball stuff to take care of. It would also get my foot in the door, paving the way into a full time position down the road. Okay, decision made. I would be a sub.

A few weeks ago, I started working on my subbing application and updating my resume. Then last weekend, I was notified that an IA position was opening up at the kids' school! Ackkkk! So much for my decision being made. Being a sub sounded ideal, but.... this is basically the job I had been hoping for all along! But am I ready to take the plunge?

I have spent the last three nights staying up WAY too late working on my application, resume, and cover letter. Whether I was applying as a sub or as an IA, it all still needed to be done asap, with school starting just around the corner. I spent all day yesterday weighing the pros and cons of each. I talked with a friend, and then last night Tony and I talked about it.

As much as being a sub sounds appealing, I'm not sure I would enjoy having every day being such an unknown. I would have to get up every day at 5:30 to find out if anyone needs a sub that day. As an IA, I would know what my job is. For the most part, I would be working with the same kids everyday. The best part is that I would be working at the same school the kids' are attending. It is the ideal spot in our school district for me to be working, at least for the next few years. Who knows if an opening will come up again any time soon?

Decision made. I got my ducks in a row: online application complete, college transcripts ordered and delivered, resume done, cover letter written, letters of recommendations collected. This morning I hit the submit button and it was official. My application for the IA position was in. Shockingly, I got a phone call only an hour later to set up an interview! I'm not surprised I got an interview, but I definitely am surprised to get a call and have it be for Monday already, because the application deadline is also Monday! They'll still be accepting applications through Monday, so I assumed interviews wouldn't start until after that.

My days as a stay at home mom are numbered. I hope that this job is meant to be and I get hired, and I hope that we can settle into a new routine with the kids going to school full time and me joining the work force.