A Funny Thing Happened

A funny thing happened this morning on a stroll through the internet. You know how you start out looking for...let's say, beet juice recipes and next thing you know you find yourself looking at car reviews? That's sort of how I found myself today suddenly trying to frantically find a resume.

Let me back up in the story for a moment though. The background you need to know to enjoy this story to its fullest is that I'm currently going through the volunteer trianing program at my local zoo. It's an impressive zoo to say the least and does a ton with regards to conservation and education so it's absolutely up my alley. And they have a very flexible volunteer program with a lot of different options. My hope in going into all of this was that I'd get to be part of their Family Farm program which is essentially a miniature farm full of miniature goats, sheep, two mini cows, chickens, bunnies...basically all the animals I'd love to have in my own backyard if my husband and the city zoning committee would allow it. Since I don't really stand a chance of changing either my husband's mine or the zoning laws anytime soon, this volunteer opportunity sounded like the perfect way to help out in my spare time and get my animal fix.

While going through their comprehensive training program I learned a lot more about what the zoo does behind the scenes to help out other communities with their conservation efforts and basically came home and told my better half that if the opportunity ever presented itself at the right time I could totally see myself working for the zoo as their mission is totally aligned with what I believe.

Which brings me to today. I was actually about to get on here and write a post about optimism but, as often happens to me and the internet, I got distracted and somehow found out that the zoo is currently looking for a part-time, temporary marketing assistant. I hesitated for just a second as the thought crossed my mind that I am going to take my very expensive MBA degree and apply it to a position that is really meant for someone a year or two out of college? But then the smarter half of me stepped in and I told myself that:

1. elitism doesn't look good on anyone...be glad that you have the opportunity and skill set neccessary for the position
2. this is a way to work at the zoo (in addition to volunteering)
3. this is only a part-time gig which great b/c I don't want anything fulltime since I do still have a business to run
4. that this could lead to bigger/better things down the road if I choose to let it and
5. this this a great way to test-drive the actual business side of this organization to see if I like it should that bigger/better thing actually come along one day

Yes, I had quite a little conversation going in my head. And that's how I ended up frantically trying to find a resume since it's been at least two years since I last wrote one up (thankfully I found that one on my old computer and was able to use it after a few short tweaks). So I applied for the job. I think it's still a long shot that I'll get it cause it's not like there's any shortage of folks looking for jobs these days, and I fear that my 10 years experience in marketing might make them think I'm too overqualified and wouldn't be a good team player. But I tried to explain everything clearly and succinctly in the cover letter and hope it's enough to at least get me called in for an interview. We'll see. In the meantime though the highly immature part of me is thinking how cool it would be to work in a zoo!