This summer, I had the privilege of contracting for MD Anderson Cancer Center here in Houston. It’s one of the two best cancer centers in the country, and who gets #1 depends on who wins the cointoss that year. Working here means you’re at the pinnacle of your profession.
In August, faced with the expiration of my contract for budget reasons, I filled out an application for my job and went through the hiring process. Being a governmental entity, the process is long and arduous. There are two interviews, drug and TB screening, a pre-employment background check that really looks into everything you wrote on the application, mandatory checks on education and credentials, and finally, salary negotiation.
I finally was offered my old job at a significant raise (3k a year over what I made contracting) and a benefits package that one could drool over. BlueCross and BlueShield insurance, paid by the state! Teacher’s Retirement System! Dental! Life! 26.5 days off a year! Sure, I said. Tell me when and where, and I’ll be there.
So I started orientation yesterday. A lot of it was stuff I already knew, but some of it is specific to the institution. And all of it was dull. The sad thing is, it extended into today.
So, I get to hit the ground running first thing tomorrow. The project my team is working on is way behind, and my boss is relying on me to help bring them up to speed. I dunno if I can take the pressure!
Good thing they have you on the job, or things would really go to hell in a handbasket.
Remember, your coworkers are your friends. Anytime you feel like stringing them up by their scrawny little necks, think of that great health plan you’re getting and it’ll all go out of you.
In any event, good luck. I’ll be thinking good things for you.
I like my co-workers. Even when I have to answer a zillion questions all day long, and I have to run circles around them because that’s the only way the work’ll get down to a manageable level. And when I have to answer a zillion questions. And when I get an e-mailboxful of glurge.
