I have a tendency to want to write about big life changes....like the only ones really were getting pregnant, and having a baby, graduating, and moving. So now the newest life change is Perry's new career! After Perry graduated we knew this was the most logical next big step in our lives; To find that career. We always planned on him becoming a community college professor. This seemed like a nice choice, he loves to teach others, and it isn't as insecure as translating which are normal contractual positions. But teaching college can also be iffy because you really don't feel secure until you become a tenure. Also the other cons are that you can be way more busy than a 40 hour week, and your schedule can effect the evening depending on what class you teach. The other job options were maybe finding one through the government as a linguist. Most of those jobs are on bases or in DC.
We knew there were other opportunities out there but we weren't really sure what they were until Perry accepted a job offer from an awesome company called Imagine Learning last December. He would get a pay raise from his last job, and not be doing sales, but supporting sales. While working for this company we have grown to love the family like atmosphere. They are so welcoming and supportive of their employees. We found they have several opportunities for the type of degree Perry pursued and we were excited for the many opportunities that would unfold to us within the next few years. Perry started that position January. I figured Perry would work for 1-2 years for them and then he might land a career. But then the company was bought by another cooperation and this new boss man wanted to grow the company at a very fast rate, which meant more and more jobs would open up quickly.
I feared that due to Perry's lack of time in the company he wouldn't be seriously considered for any of them, despite his enthusiasm. We would miss the boat. We knew that in the next 4-5 months many positions would open up and Perry would eagerly apply for all of them. We thought, by February we would know if Imagine Learning was the company that he would work for through out his career or not. Then by then, it would be perfect timing to start job searching professor jobs for the August 2015 year, since that is when they start being posted. Perry complained in an evaluation that he didn't even have an interview for a job that was posted in June. So when they presented yet another position in the company to everyone, we thought, why not. Give it a shot. Apply, show your interest, get to know the bosses. Let yourself be known. Be almost obnoxiously present. (All tips from BYU Alumni career services that I was aware of but Perry wasn't)
So after a couple weeks Perry was told at the end of a Thursday that he would be given an interview the next day in the morning! We were so excited. This was his first interview for a career job. I bought him a new white shirt, ironed his whole outfit, and polished and shined his shoes, all while he was feverishly preparing for the interview as well as the presentation they asked him to have ready. We prayed to Heavenly Father that we would understand His will in the matter and that we would like Perry to get this job, and for him to do his best and to guide his words, and if it be right, he would get the job, and if it wasn't right that he would not get it and we would understand and anxiously await the next opportunity.
The next day I was excited for Perry, I even took a picture of him before he left for work lol. He had his interview, and felt a little discouraged by his answers to a couple questions. However the more we thought about it together he felt better about it. Then later in the day Perry shadowed a related job title to the position he was interviewing for. Over the weekend we would pray that the interviewers were guided by the spirit in their decision and put it out of our minds. Monday rolled around and at 2ish Perry mentioned that he was meeting with one of the interviewers. I was overwhelmed with anxiety. Couldn't breathe. I didn't tell Perry. I didn't want to make him nervous. Then a minute later Perry called me. I thought he was killing time before he met with the guy. Perry thought it was funny, since I didn't ask him right away about it.
He got the job! It was unbelievable. The first career interview, less than 3 months from his graduation date, Perry lands a career position with the most incredible company he has ever worked for. We felt just an overwhelming feeling of gratitude and love from our Heavenly Father blessing us so soon with a career that couldn't seem to come soon enough but also so suddenly. I was amazed. I was slightly skeptical about the job interview in the first place due to Perry's previous complaint about not being considered for another job, I thought maybe they were just giving him a courtesy interview and would move on. If that was the case it would have pacified Perry. But he got it. They legitimately thought he was the best candidate for the position. That's my man! I'm so proud of him. I called my immediate family. It was just as exciting as telling them that I was pregnant each time. They were of course all thrilled and happy for us. And after he got home we decided to celebrate by being frugal but still splurging in our own little way: Taco Bell dinner and Yogurtland dessert! Which by the way, for those who are dairy free ice cream chocolate lovers, for the first time in 2 years they have a chocolate sorbet dairy free! Yes!
As the days go on from that day the truth is slowly sinking in. Like the reality of staying in Utah until possibly retiring is amazing. The fact that we don't have to relocate is amazing. I have grown to love Utah the last 3 and half years living here and especially everything south of Lehi, and north of Payson. Its beautiful which means a lot to me. The fact that we can stay where we are in our cheap apartment and save money so fast so that we can buy a house. That these huge majestic mountains will always be around. That provo canyon will always be there for us to explore its beauty. That we will be close to several temples. That we can visit SLC and all the history up there whenever. We are centrally located among my family and close to Perry's family. We love the rich mormon community surrounding us. And we love that we are not in limbo any longer and we know this before having another baby.
So details about the job. Perry's new title is Implementation Specialist/Education Support Consultant. As far as I know he makes more than what he would make as a professor. Has greater advantages for growth in the current job and within the company for a higher salary. Money isn't everything but it definitely makes a difference when we have worthy modest goals of owning a modest home. We don't plan to change our budget except to accommodate different health care coverage since we are no longer poor enough for medicaid. Also we will add a date portion of our budget which has usually come out of my food budget. But other than that we are going to live like we are poor since we are used to it until we get our emergency fund in place, a home and then still live "poor" as we get a handle on our retirement.
Perry will be installing and training teachers the program of Imagine Learning in Salt lake, and going all over Utah to help the schools who aren't doing so well catch up. Half his job will be at the provo office so he still gets the yummy food that Imagine Learning always has, and gets to see his old friends. He starts on Tuesday for the next pay period.
It is a blessing. We are so grateful everyday.
We knew there were other opportunities out there but we weren't really sure what they were until Perry accepted a job offer from an awesome company called Imagine Learning last December. He would get a pay raise from his last job, and not be doing sales, but supporting sales. While working for this company we have grown to love the family like atmosphere. They are so welcoming and supportive of their employees. We found they have several opportunities for the type of degree Perry pursued and we were excited for the many opportunities that would unfold to us within the next few years. Perry started that position January. I figured Perry would work for 1-2 years for them and then he might land a career. But then the company was bought by another cooperation and this new boss man wanted to grow the company at a very fast rate, which meant more and more jobs would open up quickly.
I feared that due to Perry's lack of time in the company he wouldn't be seriously considered for any of them, despite his enthusiasm. We would miss the boat. We knew that in the next 4-5 months many positions would open up and Perry would eagerly apply for all of them. We thought, by February we would know if Imagine Learning was the company that he would work for through out his career or not. Then by then, it would be perfect timing to start job searching professor jobs for the August 2015 year, since that is when they start being posted. Perry complained in an evaluation that he didn't even have an interview for a job that was posted in June. So when they presented yet another position in the company to everyone, we thought, why not. Give it a shot. Apply, show your interest, get to know the bosses. Let yourself be known. Be almost obnoxiously present. (All tips from BYU Alumni career services that I was aware of but Perry wasn't)
So after a couple weeks Perry was told at the end of a Thursday that he would be given an interview the next day in the morning! We were so excited. This was his first interview for a career job. I bought him a new white shirt, ironed his whole outfit, and polished and shined his shoes, all while he was feverishly preparing for the interview as well as the presentation they asked him to have ready. We prayed to Heavenly Father that we would understand His will in the matter and that we would like Perry to get this job, and for him to do his best and to guide his words, and if it be right, he would get the job, and if it wasn't right that he would not get it and we would understand and anxiously await the next opportunity.
The next day I was excited for Perry, I even took a picture of him before he left for work lol. He had his interview, and felt a little discouraged by his answers to a couple questions. However the more we thought about it together he felt better about it. Then later in the day Perry shadowed a related job title to the position he was interviewing for. Over the weekend we would pray that the interviewers were guided by the spirit in their decision and put it out of our minds. Monday rolled around and at 2ish Perry mentioned that he was meeting with one of the interviewers. I was overwhelmed with anxiety. Couldn't breathe. I didn't tell Perry. I didn't want to make him nervous. Then a minute later Perry called me. I thought he was killing time before he met with the guy. Perry thought it was funny, since I didn't ask him right away about it.
He got the job! It was unbelievable. The first career interview, less than 3 months from his graduation date, Perry lands a career position with the most incredible company he has ever worked for. We felt just an overwhelming feeling of gratitude and love from our Heavenly Father blessing us so soon with a career that couldn't seem to come soon enough but also so suddenly. I was amazed. I was slightly skeptical about the job interview in the first place due to Perry's previous complaint about not being considered for another job, I thought maybe they were just giving him a courtesy interview and would move on. If that was the case it would have pacified Perry. But he got it. They legitimately thought he was the best candidate for the position. That's my man! I'm so proud of him. I called my immediate family. It was just as exciting as telling them that I was pregnant each time. They were of course all thrilled and happy for us. And after he got home we decided to celebrate by being frugal but still splurging in our own little way: Taco Bell dinner and Yogurtland dessert! Which by the way, for those who are dairy free ice cream chocolate lovers, for the first time in 2 years they have a chocolate sorbet dairy free! Yes!
As the days go on from that day the truth is slowly sinking in. Like the reality of staying in Utah until possibly retiring is amazing. The fact that we don't have to relocate is amazing. I have grown to love Utah the last 3 and half years living here and especially everything south of Lehi, and north of Payson. Its beautiful which means a lot to me. The fact that we can stay where we are in our cheap apartment and save money so fast so that we can buy a house. That these huge majestic mountains will always be around. That provo canyon will always be there for us to explore its beauty. That we will be close to several temples. That we can visit SLC and all the history up there whenever. We are centrally located among my family and close to Perry's family. We love the rich mormon community surrounding us. And we love that we are not in limbo any longer and we know this before having another baby.
So details about the job. Perry's new title is Implementation Specialist/Education Support Consultant. As far as I know he makes more than what he would make as a professor. Has greater advantages for growth in the current job and within the company for a higher salary. Money isn't everything but it definitely makes a difference when we have worthy modest goals of owning a modest home. We don't plan to change our budget except to accommodate different health care coverage since we are no longer poor enough for medicaid. Also we will add a date portion of our budget which has usually come out of my food budget. But other than that we are going to live like we are poor since we are used to it until we get our emergency fund in place, a home and then still live "poor" as we get a handle on our retirement.
Perry will be installing and training teachers the program of Imagine Learning in Salt lake, and going all over Utah to help the schools who aren't doing so well catch up. Half his job will be at the provo office so he still gets the yummy food that Imagine Learning always has, and gets to see his old friends. He starts on Tuesday for the next pay period.
It is a blessing. We are so grateful everyday.
