insights into the world of caffeinated monkeys
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| javamonkey insights into the world of caffeinated monkeys |
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Thursday, October 18, 2007 And Now, What You've All Been Waiting For... Inquiring minds have wanted to know what I've been up to in Wyoming, so it's time for a long-overdue update. (No, it has not started snowing in Sheridan. Yet.) First and foremost, I've found a full-time job that is fantastic. After the hell of the previous employer, I'm thrilled to be working a 40 hour week. I get an hour lunch break (no more soup at my desk). I have 17 days of vacation immediately, and I get paid for 10 holidays a year, with no possibility of working because the office is closed. I get time off for things like Rodeo and Buffalo Bill days, plus I get comp time. Add to that a great health insurance plan (I pick whatever I want and they pay 80% of the premiums), and a simple IRA with a 3% match and you've got one happy employee--these are the basic benefits that were either cut or sucked at the previous job. So, what is it that I'm doing? I'm working for the local economic development company as their project manager/office assistant. The company has gone through the stages of bringing in a consultant to determine strengths and weaknesses, as well as creating a community task force to determine the same thing. Out of those initiatives has come a strategic plan--10 areas that Sheridan must improve to continue to grow and thrive. There are task forces and industry clusters to address all 10 areas, and my job is to keep all of them on target so that we can actually implement the plan. It's a perfect fit for me. In addition to the job itself, my company is paying for me to attend training sessions and classes to get certification in economic development. I have a conference at the end of the month in Great Falls, MT to start this process. The company is also paying for professional membership dues, as well as for my membership in the Jaycees and Chamber of Commerce. Community involvement here is a huge deal--it's so easy to become involved. City Council meetings and County Commissioner meetings are well-attended and people know what's going on in their town and in the world. It's refreshing. Part of what has come out of the community discussion of the needs of Sheridan has been a young professionals organization, which I'm becoming very involved in--it's well supported by my company, as it grew concurrent with the strategic plan. The group is committed to making the town appeal to young professionals--they're working to make newbies feel welcome, recruit more restaurants, create more activities in town, and beautify the city. The group is growing exponentially, and it's going to be interesting as things move to the next level and we incorporate as a not-for-profit and become our own entity in town. If that's not enough to keep me busy, I've joined the board of Kendrick Mansion. I spent a lot of time there on vacation--it's a beautiful property, and I wanted to support it not only with my $$ but with my time. Add to that fun things like co-captaining an inner tube water polo team with Liz, helping the senior center with the community garden, working with the downtown association with projects, and supporting local bands and live music events, it's amazing Liz and I sleep, let alone find time to hit most of the happy hours in town. And that doesn't even include the weekends. Since I've been here, I've spent a weekend in the Black Hills/Rapid City area of South Dakota, a weekend in Laramie at UW with my boss (she has season tickets and invited me to join her for the Homecoming game), a weekend in St. Louis, and a weekend with the stomach flu (I was offered a ticket to see Smashing Pumpkins at Red Rocks--free trip and room too, and I got the pukey flu). There is always something to do here. So, yeah, things have been crazy busy, but it's all great things. I'm excited to be involved with so many neat things. It's nice to be in a place where I can make a difference and am encouraged to do so. I can really excell here, and it was definitely the right move to make. No cowboy yet, but if that's meant to happen, it'll work out. I am making the effort--I bought a new pair of jeans that make my butt look so fantastic, it justified the price tag. :) posted by jaime | 11:03 AM 4 comments |
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