Wild ride

Last week a huge, HUGE, weight was lifted from my shoulders.  I’ve been working on a major project for two VPs as a “side” project, which has actually been like a full-time second job.  On Monday I asked to reduce my hours to a “reasonable” 55.  I was told that the request was unreasonable and I had to find a way to fit it all in.  On Friday, VP2 of them offered me a new job in his department for more money and way fewer hours.  Unfortunately VP2 rubbed it in VP1′s face and I will have to deal with the fallout but, at the end of the day, this is a great win for my work/life balance as well as my return to school.  Not only that but VP1 promised a job when I finish with law school (and, yes, the VP knows where I’m going/its accreditation)!  Crazy….

It was an insane day, as VP2 apparently called VP1 to advise of the plan to steal me away even before we met (way to put cart before horse!).  Then, after promising to get back to me on scope and salary, VP2 called VP1 and said it was a done deal.  So, um, yeah, that major salary bump had better actually come to pass!!!  However, no matter what, I am moving on.  Had already met with a recruiter.  After working four full (very long) days of a recent family vacation, I returned home and Pumpkinhead asked how many hours I would need to work to make up the vacation days.  I need to jump off the crazy hours wagon.

I’ve worked for VP1′s group for 3.5 years.  This new job is not in my same hot niche area of law but it gives me more money, way fewer hours and the ability to focus on school in the proper manner.  It also develops my legal writing/analysis skills.  Really a no brainer, particularly when you look at the benefit of tenure.  Talked to friend/Senior Counsel about the opportunity and she says that, while the head of the group I’m joining can be a bit “interesting” to work for (but I knew that), I can easily explain the move to a more steady area of law for 2-3 years while in school if I wanted to return to my current hot area of law down the road.  She thinks I have plenty of experience under my belt to jump back in and, for sure, it’s the devil you know versus the devil you don’t, right?  Joining another company is no guarantee of a good work environment.

Still, next week will be fun as I deal with the fallout within my group.  I’ve been doing the work of 2-3 people for a really long time.  They finally fired the incompetent woman who was driving me crazy/making me redo all delegated work and are searching for a new assistant.  Unfortunately now they will also be searching for a replacement(s) for me.  I will still be working in the Legal Department, just for a different group, so it’s important that I maintain a good relationship with current group.  In the meantime, I’m so much less stressed already, was uber-productive on schoolwork today rather than sitting around feeling depressed and, most importantly, Pumpkinhead is grinning from ear to ear.  Go Mom!