Finally...I got a part time job that works for my schedule (long)

**elphaba** · 08-12-2008, 11:07 AM

Hey All,
I haven't been on the boards much this summer as I have been busy driving my 16DD to summer stock theater every day (she is an actress for a regional playhouse about 55 miles from here) but I did manage to finally land a part time job with the school district.
Some background....I was a personal chef and restaurant manager for many years when my kids were little. Now that they are older and involved in all kinds of activities it was very difficult for me to find a job where the hours would allow me to take the kids to all their activities and also have the summer off to take the aforementioned daughter to all her rehearsals and shows. (my Dh works 24 hour shifts so it was even harder to schedule something around his work!)
I saw a job posting on our school website for a cafeteria worker. Not my dream job but the hours would work great. 11-2 every school day, with weekends and summer's off. I applied and did all the necessary paperwork ( cost me $60 for fingerprints, child abuse clearance etc) and interviewed a few weeks ago with both the head of the cafeteria and the school superintendent. Well, the head of the cafeteria basically told me I was over qualified as I had a bachelor's degree and was worried the job wouldn't be "enough" for me. The superintendent told me I qualified to substitute teach and/or work in the library or as an instructional assistant. Then he encouraged me to go back to college and get my teaching certificate. Needless to say, I was hired for the cafeteria job but I think they will be using me in other jobs around the school.
I haven't worked in 2 years... between trying to get our lives back together from a devastating flood and ferrying the kids around it has been hard to find just the right job fit. Although this is only 15 hours a week right now, I start at $10.54 an hour and qualify for retirement benefits. I get vested after 5 years too. Hopefully, I will pick up more hours and be offered substitute teaching jobs as they come along. I am a bit nervous about the job because I'll definitely be in one of my kids' schools. (I have one kid in high school, one in middle school and one in elementary). I guess the "lunch lady" job has a bad rep with the school kids!!! lol
Sorry for the ramble but at 45 years old I can't believe I'm so nervous about a job! I know so many parents, kids and teachers at the school and I know a few who have kinda sneered at the job I'm taking. I'm not proud and I'm very grateful to have found something that will bring in a little extra income (we desperately need) but still a bit worried about how I'll be treated. My kids have said that they really don't care if I'm a lunch lady.....I just hope they mean that! Funniest thing of all.....none of my kids have ever eaten a school lunch!!!! (I didn't tell my interviewers that little piece of info though!!!)
Thanks for letting me rant and get this off my chest. I start the job within the next 2 weeks and I'll be sure to let you all know how everything goes.
Tamara

**G'MaDebbie** · 08-12-2008, 11:11 AM

Congrats on the new job! Sounds like it will be perfect for you!

**ktsmama** · 08-12-2008, 11:30 AM

Congratulations on the new job!

Don't worry about what those other people think, they are not paying your bills.

**Russ** · 08-12-2008, 11:34 AM

woohoo! Congrats~!

**Mom23boys** · 08-12-2008, 11:57 AM

Tamara, congratulations on the new job! I would not worry about the cafeteria lady reputation. It is a job and you are there for a reason - to help your family financially. I think the hours are great!!