I got a job, guys! I just finished my second full week of work. It’s been a bit stressful but mostly exhausting, so I haven’t made a lot of room for blogging this month.
I was offered the job at the beginning of the month, which came as a total surprise. I thought the interview was the worst yet and was convinced that I wouldn’t be hearing anything back. It was so bad that I was actually in tears afterwards. But two days later, I got a call from the staffing company I’ve been working with saying that they offered me the job! I thought it over, talked with Andrew, and then accepted the position.
It’s a contract-to-hire, so I’m contracted to work for three months and at the end of that period, the company can extend me the full-time position, or I can walk away; no hard feelings. The staffing company explained that it gives me the opportunity to see if this job is a good fit for me and lets the company in turn do the same, see if I’m a good fit for them. The pay is alright – a bit lower than I was expecting for my first job, but I figure I have nothing to lose by accepting. So I did. So at least for three months, I am an Accounts Payable Representative at a large healthcare company!
The department is hiring four people total, as the company just made a large acquisition, so they have a lot more work coming in. So I’m glad that I’m not going to be the only new person! I was the first one hired, so I’ve gotten a bit of a head start on the others. I really like all of my coworkers and they’re all recent college graduates around my age. They’ve all been very helpful and kind while I’m trying to learn all my new responsibilities.
It usually takes me about twenty minutes to get to work which isn’t bad at all, but traffic is always awful and I’m a bit of an impatient driver, haha. It’s really nice though because there are tons of restaurants nearby and my department goes out to eat each Friday, so I am excited to try all of the new restaurants in the area (though my wallet might be hurting a bit!). There’s also covered parking so I don’t have to worry about finding a spot, which is nice.
While the position that I’m in currently may not be something that I want to do long term, I at least have a foot in the door. I’ve been lurking a bit at the other open positions and there are quite a few other opportunities that I’m interested in, and my coworkers make it sound like it’s pretty easy to move up or to new positions. So even though it’s just an entry-level position, I’m enjoying what I’m doing. So I’m feeling pretty optimistic about what’s in store in the future. 
It’s also been a bit of a relief to have structure to my days again. When I was unemployed I was so bored and unproductive, so it feels good now to have work to do – and I’m excited about being able to start paying off some of my loans. If we budget correctly (and stick to it), we should be able to pay off all my loans sometime next year!
In other news, I ran my first 5K at the beginning of the month! Blog post on that coming soon. 
Seems like the job is good (say yesssss for the parking – it’s so hard to find a parking space. Anyways, I am glad that you have nice co-workers and that you guys are getting along well. Also the fact that you get to try all these new restaurants is amazing (let’s hope your wallet will be fine). I usually have to go form one hospital to another for my classes so I don’t really have time to just stay at a restaurant and just eat (the traffic is awful and you have to get from one part of the city to another).
I hope everything work out well. Take care
I’m so happy for your new job, Becca! I am looking forward to hearing about your experience as an AP Rep. I had a similar experience during an interview with my HR aunt where I teared up because I was intimidated by her.
Hope the job is good enough that you get offered a full-time position with all of the great benefits. Considering it’s a healthcare company, I hope their healthcare benefits are over the roof XD.
Glad to hear that your commute is good so far. It takes me an hour to get to work with traffic ;~;. Even though this is a stepping stone, make the best out of it. You’re a hard worker and have great work ethics. You’ll make it to the top without a problem :).
Congratulations on finishing your first 5k!!
Congratulations on getting the job! I prayed that you would get the job, and you got the job! I’m so happy to hear that you got a job and will no longer be bored. I’m kind of glad that you have a contract-to-hire type of job as what would happen if you didn’t like the position after a certain amount of time? Believe it or not, my first job right after I graduated high school was a contract-to-hire job. I was given a 3 month trial, and after the 3 months were up I would potentially keep the job or quit the job. Needless to say and due to various reasons, I ended up quitting the job after the 3 month trial period.
Going through the process of trying to find a job can be a bit tedious and exhausting. However, if you find something, gained an interview (sometimes a second interview), and you’re hired it is well worth the tedious hours and exhaustion that went into finding that said job.
I know you’re going to be making new friends, having new things to say, new places to try and visit, and all of which I can’t wait to read/hear about. It’s a new chapter in your life, Becca. You should be proud!
Ahh congrats Becca!! I’m so happy for you!!
Thats awesome that your coworkers are nice and they’re other people your age working with you! If you get hired the full time job after 3 months, I think you should take it. It seems like you like it and you can work that job for a year and get a reference and then look for another job you really want. 
I wish I majored in Business because accounts payable seems like something I’d like to do. But I have a job as a medical biller and I like it a lot!
Yes, I am pretty sure I will accept if they offer. It’s always so hard starting a new job with learning everything, so it’s silly to waste all that time and hard work.
Yay Laurie! I knew you had been studying to become certified so that’s great that you’ve found a job!
Thanks so much becca!! I really like the healthcare environment a lot! Insurance companies can be a pain sometimes.
Yes they can, so I’m glad I don’t have to deal with them haha!
Congrats! Its always a great feeling when you get your first job. Sounds like a great place too!
Also congrats on the 5k!
Congrats on your first 5K!
Also congrats on the job.
That sounds kind of similar to what my aunt does, but she does it for one doctor and works in his personal office than the one he has at the hospital.
Is working in insurance anything close to what you want(ed) to do, though?
Thanks Liz!
I’m actually not working in the insurance industry, though I guess the company I work for has some dealings with it, I’m on a completely different side of things. What I do is accounting/finance related, so it’s at least in the field I want to be in. But there are a lot of other positions I’m interested in such as an accountant, financial analyst, business analyst, etc. So I’m not there now, but I’m hoping I will be someday.
Congrats again on the job! Contract-to-hire is a nice way to earn money and get experience while testing the waters
We do that for some positions at my work. I’m glad that you like all of your coworkers too. I feel like that makes a huge difference in how much you like your work!
Ooh, that’s nice about the covered parking spots and the restaurants nearby. My work has covered parking now too, and it’s sooo nice, especially during bad weather days. We’re lacking in the restaurants part though!
I’m glad things are going well at work! I hope you’ll be able to move into the position you want later on!
Hi Becca! I’m glad you got your first job and sorry for feeling really upset before getting it. Like you, I’m on my probation status. I’m currently in my 3rd month now. I’ll know when I am finally good for the company after two months. Goodluck to work and I wish you success! Cheers to productive days ahead! <3
much love
Jean | http://jeaniebeans.ph
Congratulations! No doubt it’ll be good to gain some experience, even if it’s not the specific area you want to work in. Hopefully it’ll lead onto something you want, and it’s great that you can move around to different areas of the company.
I always hate being the new person, but at least you’ve got others with you. Plus, your co-workers sound nice, which is always a bonus.
Hope it all goes well for you!
Yahoo! Like you said, this job got your foot in the door — never mind that the pay and stuff is low. I’m in the same shoe as you. I’m making “less” than my previous position based on the hourly wage, but this has finally got me in the system, and that’s what it matters. Yeah, my commute’s a killer, but I can handle it. As long as I don’t do it like for ten days straight with no days off LOL
Anyway, congratulations on the job! I’m glad your co-workers are nice so far. The first couple of weeks are always rough — it’s nothing but informational overload. I went through that, too, so I know exactly how it feels O_O; But as you do the job more, it becomes second nature to you
Keep it up and I do hope something better will come towards you in the future!