Today was to be my first day at work. But I resigned from that job this past Friday. Because I have another new job now.

The big news first, I guess. I have secured an honest-to-goodness, full-time job at the University of Kansas. First, I’d like to thank my mother, who provides the opening icebreaker for all my interviews. When they read my application and call me Robert, I tell them to call me Danny. Then I say with a smile, “I blame my mother, for naming me one thing and calling me another.”

I’d also like to thank my references, who always tell me they sing my praises from the top of the nearest mountain. Except for Tobias, who always tells me he tells them I’m a right bastard. But I think he’s lying to me. Thank you, Colette, Molly, and Denny. And Tobias, sure.

Here’s how it played out.

Back in January I applied for two KU jobs at roughly the same time.  One was a half-time position.  But that’s what you do when you’ve been looking for work for ten months.  You apply for everything.

Two months later, after hearing very little from those jobs (so go the wheels of HR in Higher Education), the half-time job called me.  They wanted to hire me.  Yay!  But I had to tell them that, since applying, we had decided to put our littlest boy in the most expensive daycare (that’s how we roll), and the half-time salary (which was generous for half-time) was not enough.  I could take the job, but they had to know I would continue looking for full-time work.  They were incredibly generous and kind, said that would be fine, and started working hard to find another half-time position to make up the difference.  In the meantime, I signed a letter to start working for them half-time.  Today was to be my first day.

Then last week it all bubbled up.  The half-time job found full-time funding (by adding half-time in another unit) and the full-time job interviewed me and almost immediately offered me a job.  It took some deliberation, but in the end the new job won out.

It was a very surreal Friday last week.  I heard from the new job that they wanted me, and I accepted.  I called HR to ask how to resign a job I had not yet started.  ”I don’t want KU to have to cut me a check for $8,” I said.  The HR woman thought for a second, and said, “Well, if you don’t show up for work…”  Problem solved.

Then I emailed the original job’s two directors (the two half-times) that I was quitting, which seemed an odd thing to do since I hadn’t started, really.  Through it all, their staff has been so kind, and understanding, and generous with their time and effort.  I am genuinely sorry that I won’t be working with them.

I’d spent ten months getting rejected and rejected, after working at places where people loved me (well, except for Tobias!), and it has been so nice to have people want me again.

I am excited to start working.  This weekend we went and bought a ton of clothes for me (to replace two years of jeans and t-shirts).  I am excited to have colleagues again, and to be part of a University community again.  And I know things will have to change (I’ll have to get up earlier, for one) but it will be nice to have the money numbers going up, instead of down.

Yay me!