Well as irony (or luck) would have it, in the week I receive my final payment from the day-rate work I picked up to make ends meet, and in the first week I'll received an unemployment check since being laid off on November 16, I received word that I should expect an offer and employment agreement early next week. It's been a long, trying road to this point filled with doubt, fear and uncertainty. Not to mention many sleepless nights, frustration and tears. So thankful it is over with!
I'm going to work for the Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth. It is a non-profit our of Nelsonville that is overseen by the Manufacturing Extension Partnership in Columbus. It is a federally funded program, as is my position, which means I could be out of work on 10/1 this year because the position is only funded until then. That said, it is a risk I'll gladly take for the training, education and connections I'm going to get in the time. It's a tremendous opportunity in that regard and there will be opportunities for me when the time comes. I still don't have an official title (either Account Executive or Project Associate) but I was hired to be the boots on the ground to help strengthen Ohio's $22 billion dollar timber and wood products industry. I'll be traveling throughout Ohio's eastern most 28 counties speaking with Ohio's some 250 small saw mills helping to identify who they are, what they do and how we might be able to help them. It puts me to work while continuing to utilize my strongest skills: people skills and communication.
I am super pumped for this opportunity!
