I was unemployed for a full year after losing my job as an administrative assistant in December 2012. It was the first time in my 36-year career that I had collected unemployment, and the checks stopped coming in January.
I had applied for more than 140 jobs with no luck. I didn't know what to do. The last time I spoke to CNNMoney, I thought I would have to apply for welfare.
Then, I found a part-time job in early February. I was hired by New Directions for Women, a substance abuse treatment facility, based in Costa Mesa, CA. They have opened an outreach office in Philadelphia and I was hired as the office manager. It was worth waiting for! Even though I am part time, it's a great company with amazing staff. They sent me to the main campus in Costa Mesa for my orientation during the last week of February.
New Directions has many plans for the Philadelphia office, including beginning an alumnae association on the East Coast. We are also planning on hosting networking events and training for therapists in the area.
I am so thankful that I am the lucky person chosen for this position. All my suggestions are considered, and I am treated as an important part of this endeavor. Hopefully as things pick up, the position will become full time but, right now, I am so happy to have found this position.
