Whoo Hoo.. Hired!

[Bumblebee]

Originally Posted by Kristie

... all those engiNERDS! biggest debate would be "which calculator should i get"

I have the 42-1Xbs pocket protector

Seriously, I got chills for you as I read your story. Inspiration for people to believe in themselves and do the hard work to live their dreams. Kudos!!!

Thanks for sharing!

[SkyCougar]

Originally Posted by staplegun

Congratulations, Kristie!

You go, girl!!



Kevin

That is great news Kristie. Sometimes losing a job we "had" is the best thing that can happen to us, because then we can move on to better opportunities. I'm glad that you negotiated your travel time right up front! Good for you girl!

[Rocketman99]

Wow, that's awesome. Congrats Kristie! Always great to get what you want and even better when you get the feeling you are actually needed.

[DorkFromFL]

Congrats

[Cruise]

Nice Job Kristie! Congratulations on the new gig.....sounds great!

[E6BAV8R]

Awesome, congratulations Kristie!

[N826AW]

Good for you Kristie! Working for a company you love and doing something you enjoy is priceless. Best of luck!

[GreenDayPilot]

Congrats!!! <Drinking a glass of champagne in spirit>

[Doug Taylor]

Originally Posted by HP N826AW

Good for you Kristie! Working for a company you love and doing something you enjoy is priceless. Best of luck!

It's kind of funny how we've gone full circle. She was working for PBS&J when I first met her and 14 years later, she's back!

More money, closer to home, a raise after she gets her certification, better hours and better flex time, bonus!

[PurduePilot]

Congrads Kristie!!!!

It sounds like the stars all aligned for you and I really believe things happen for a reason.

I am really happy for you.

Now, if you want a real transportation job... try figuring out how to eliminate the 10 mile back up that the Bourne Rotary creates down on the Cape! Seriously, they winnow a 4 lane interstate down to a 2 lane country road by use of a rotary!

[Kristie]

they do that for a reason... called "traffic calming"...someone must have been complaining about people driving too fast or what not.

[SkyCougar]

Originally Posted by PurduePilot

Congrads Kristie!!!!

It sounds like the stars all aligned for you and I really believe things happen for a reason.

I am really happy for you.

Now, if you want a real transportation job... try figuring out how to eliminate the 10 mile back up that the Bourne Rotary creates down on the Cape! Seriously, they winnow a 4 lane interstate down to a 2 lane country road by use of a rotary!

I remember that rotary and I don't even live there!

[Cruise]

Originally Posted by SkyCougar

I remember that rotary and I don't even live there!

WTH is a rotary??? A circle?

[Bigey]

Originally Posted by Cruise

WTH is a rotary??? A circle?

Double word?

[SkyCougar]

Originally Posted by Cruise

WTH is a rotary??? A circle?

In some countries, they are also known as a "roundabout" (circular traffic flows)

[SeatClutcher]

Yay Kristie!

[Cruise]

Originally Posted by SkyCougar

In some countries, they are also known as a "roundabout" (circular traffic flows)

Well, that's what I figured.....but have never heard them referred to as rotaries.

Interesting....see it's true, you do learn something new every day! I'm getting smarter by the minute.

[rausda27]

Keeping up with the Joneses, Mrs. Kristie? First Doug reinvigorates and revives his career and now you have to go and do the same...

CONGRATS!!!

[Mavmb]

Originally Posted by Kristie

For those that haven't yet heard...i and all my compadres were thrown to the curb a week ago Tuesday as my employer decided to close the phx doors permanently. Luckily, i got 3 weeks of severance pay but still, that uneasy feeling of being unemployed totally feels like someone ripped the floor from beneath you and your hanging from a string...I'd never been "unemployed" before as i've always had a job no matter if i was moving company's or states.. so, i hit the pavement running....updated my resume asap, got it up on monster, called contacts, interviewed the day after i was dropped off on said curb and researched companies and positions, along with where i wanted to go in the world and HOW I wanted to get there!

I interviewed with more than one company this past week(+) and decided even though i have a ton of diverse experience, i wanted transportation planning and *only* transportation planning. I got offers from headhunters for cadd tech, transportation engineer, traffic engineer, transportation designer, you name it.. they called...i got offers for traffic engineering from other firms after interviewing specifically for transportation planning (now tell me, how WEIRD is that!?!). One thing i decided not to do was back down on what "I" wanted. I figured i have a pretty full piggy bank to rely on, i'll wait it out if need be and i was comfortable with that (altho doug wasn't).

During all that, i interviewed with one company that really needed a transportation planner. When i showed up at the interview, 1/2 hr into it, the transportation director said he had to take off and told his guys to "do what you have to do to get her onboard". he then told me my qualifications spoke for themselves and my attitude was exactly what they needed and wanted. they wanted ME...not just me wanting them. I've never had a company tell me THAT before...I was in shock...they really want ME - BADLY....at that point, i no longer had to be afraid that i wouldn't get the job. My confidence only increased and i showed my true colors (so they would know exactly my style of "professional") at the 2nd interview.. pretty much saying "this is what your buying" and they *still* wanted me...Not that i do anything inappropriate but i do work in "comfort" and require flex hours which they were just fine with...and yet I showed them that my professionalism never changes (it doesn't).

So, today, i got the offer letter!! how this whole thing fell into my hands, i'll never know.. someone must be looking down on me saying i do good things, i deserve good things or i must've done something right (honesty perhaps?)....either that or i'm just plain lucky and should go down to the casino to see if my lucky streak continues! haha

I start the job next Tuesday. the best part -> I'll be temporary part time until i'm ready to go full time (or until Jan 1, 08). that's because i told the company what i *need/want* to do and altho they needed someone to start full time ASAP, we were willing to compromise on the situation so that we could both be in a win win situation...When i start, they having a new employee the can put into proposals, interviews, marketing and someone that can work on the current projects (part-time)..at the same time, I'll be able to work on my self improvement items (fitness, planning certification, tons of travel, website (side) biz etc)...

I'll be making 5K over my old salary...will be able to take unpaid leave (to a point) if i ever end up using all of my PTO time (they understand that i and hubby travel a lot)...I'll have a ton more benefits than old employer EVER had and i'll be helping "build" the transportation planning department as i'll be the first planner on board in which we already have 2 corridor studies to work on....better yet, they're moving in November to the Desert Ridge area (at that point, i'll only be 15 minutes from home )

btw, they've already scoped out The Keg for happy hour ($1 drinks).

My title will go from Transportation Planner/Designer to "Senior Transportation Planner"....no longer will i be working all design or all cadd...now, i'll be known as a "project manager" and once i get my planning certification, i'll move up to Sr. Transportation Planner II which also includes a salary adjustment....

this job is the one i thought i'd have to wait MONTHS for... it's absolutely built for me...If i was ever going to stay in the engineering field, it was going to be as a planner and somehow, someway, i won....I hit 777 on this puppy and from what i can figure out, it was based on experience and attitude as they told me my resume and experience spoke for themselves. It might have helped that i have NEVER burnt a bridge in my field, so my references probably spoke highly of me....Amazing... never thought i'd get to where my resume/experience alone "spoke volumes".

anyhoo, it does go to show that good things come to good people as long as your honest, you work hard, are dedicated, determined and really "want" to be successful (NEVER burn a bridge). YOU can make anything happen that you "want" to happen and yes, it takes a lot of courage and confidence in yourself to make it happen. But you *can* do it....

Last week, i was another statistic...This week, I'm living proof that you *can* do whatever the hell you want to do...10 days from unemployment to new "dream-like" job. One step closer to my "dream" life.

So...whatcha waiting for? Get out there and make it happen!


*sorry it's so long...i tried to make it less verbose but also wanted to make a point

Ha, I think you should give it all up, go in debt, be broke, and become an airline pilot for 18,000 a year!

[Tim]

Congrats on the new job

and Doug you were worried she would be home all the time interrupting your off days.....haha

[gna_in_lgb]

Congratulations, Kristie! How did the first day go?

[cfii2007]

Good job.....you definately deserved it!!

[WestIndian425]

Congratulations, Kristie!!

[secretapproach]

Originally Posted by SkyCougar

In some countries, they are also known as a "roundabout" (circular traffic flows)

Yes, and in Fort Lauderdale they're unknown to most drivers, even though we have some here. I drive through one every day on my way to work at the airport and almost every day some idiot going through the circle stops for me even though I have a yield sign. And these aren't just tourists - they're taxis and airport vehicles who I'm sure aren't going through the thing for the first time. Aaaaaaaaahh! But South Florida drivers are especially stupid (and I really, really mean that from the bottom of my heart).

[Alchemy]

Congrats Kristie, sounds like you've come out of the whole situation for the better. Your new gig sounds really interesting. Have fun with it!