MY NEW JOB

Well folks, I didn’t think I’d be telling this to you so soon after just starting at ASU this past August but…I GOT A NEW JOB! Don’t get me wrong—I love teaching; however, it simply does not pay the bills. I am almost making less than before I got my MA. Because I teach Business Writing, I’ve always got resume on the brain. So, as my students were working on their job search document project, I was too. I went on to CareerBuilder every day and, even though you really shouldn’t, applied for ANY job that was even slightly relevant to my education and experience. From January to March, it was like I was screaming into my pillow—no one could hear me but me. Then, I got two bites: one from Pearson, an educational media company and one from Nlets, a nonprofit organization (International Justice & Public Safety Network).

Fast forward a bit. To make a long story short, I went through the whole she-bang that is the interview process and Pearson decided to hire internally. BAH! With Nlets, the process was a bit more complicated. First, I had to go through a ½ hour phone interview with an HR firm. Then, I spent another hour on the phone with their program manager. Next, I went for a face-to-face interview, including the program and project managers, as well as the executive director. This was another 1 ½ interview—and I NAILED it. They called me the next day and offered me the job. Finally, I had to fill out a ten-page application and provide copies of my CV, transcripts, driver’s license, SS card, and AZ fingerprint card.

Before I attempt to describe the job, I’ll tell you a bit about the organization (or, you can just skip the next few paragraphs and go to the website: http://www.nlets.org/. Nlets provides two basic capabilities to its users. First, it is an international, computer-based message switching system that links together state, local and federal law enforcement and justice agencies for the purpose of information exchange. Second, it provides information services support for a growing number of justice related applications. To accomplish this, Nlets supports data communications links to state networks using a commercial frame relay service. All agencies within each state are serviced through this state interface. Federal and international systems operate in much the same manner. The primary Nlets operational site is located within the Arizona Department of Public Safety's facility, with a disaster recovery site located with the Idaho State Police for full continuity of operations in less than thirty minutes.

The user population is composed of all of the states/territories, all Federal agencies with a justice component, and selected international agencies, all cooperatively exchanging data. The types of data being exchanged vary from motor vehicle and driver's data, Canadian 'Hot File' records, and INS databases to state criminal history records. Nearly 90 million messages are transacted each month. Nlets is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and is owned and governed by the states. Representatives from each state elect a Board of Directors and Officers annually. They set policies and procedures, define standards, approve members, establish fees, etc. A professional staff is responsible for the day-to-day administration and operations of the system. Membership dues are the primary source of revenue to operate Nlets.

So, what’s the job? Well…I’m not sure how to explain it. The title that was posted on the ad was “Creative Writer / Document Specialist.” I’m like: THAT’S ME! (I think, officially, I am a Document Specialist.) I will begin by taking ownership for the content and upkeep of the website. Additionally, I will build and maintain the Customer Relationship Module (CRM), updating it frequently with accurate and complete information on current members. I will also be involved in all aspects of the corporation’s efforts to publish newspaper and journal articles, document meetings and conferences, create electronic documents (e.g. e-newsletters, e-blasts, etc.), and administer online surveys. I will also document projects and initiatives, create webinars, and support the maintenance of training documentation. Incredibly, the job doesn’t stop there. I will also be writing grants and marketing materials—grant writing, the focus of my graduate students and marketing, something I’ve always wanted to get in to. The easiest way to explain this job is to say what they told me at the interview: The person we hire will define this position.

There are some downsides to this job… It will be an hour commute each way, which will be awesome considering I drive an SUV that only gets 20 miles per gallon, has a 14 gallon tank, and costs about $55 to fill up these days. When my lease is up in October, I will most likely have to decide between moving or buying a new car—or both. I anticipate long hours and a drowning feeling for the first few months. And, there is only one of me—meaning, I am the sole writer in the merely 20-person organization. ACK!

But, the advantages of the job far outweigh the downsides. For the first time in my life, I will be making big girl money and receiving extremely decent benefits, including 11 paid holidays and a 15% incentive bonus. Also, I will be continuing to teach one online section per session at ASU. This means that I could potentially be debt-free…seriously, down to ZERO…by this time next year. As if it couldn’t get better, I will be traveling essentially everywhere my superiors go. In fact, I’m off to Montgomery, Alabama shortly after I begin work. Plus, they’re going to load me up with a laptop, Crackberry, digital camera, and all the office supplies I could ever dream of.

Most importantly, I get to do what I’ve always wanted: find a way to use my writing to make a tangible difference in the world. In this world of illogical gas prices, unwarranted wars, an apathetic media, and a president we didn’t elect, I can think of no better cause than justice. On a personal level, it’s been a very long time since I felt challenged at a job. Nlets is going to run me ragged but in a way where I can develop skills as a writer, businesswoman, marketer, web designer, and IT nerd. Is this what they mean by writing your own ticket? I’m here to tell you that unicorns DO exist—in the form of jobs you thought you’d never find (and Portishead on stage at Coachella). What a long, strange trip it’s been…