I took the job.

......

I gave it a lot of thought, and I decided to take the position after speaking with the woman who's vacating the position later this month. I'm a bit nervous, a bit excited, and really glad the decision has been made.

I decided to give it a year and then decide. I figured that I can do just about anything for a year (Thanks to Ali for reminding me and telling me that I really have until April/May, so it's not even a year).

I've been craving the chance to write again, so being able to create brochures and write press releases again was a huge selling point. I've also got the added benefit of knowing how to create and design a website--our school website is a huge marketing tool and having access to all the Development literature can only help. Also, knowing web design like I do I can maintain 3 websites. It will be a challenge and some days it will be really busy, but I'm looking forward to being able to increase my strengths and learn some new skills.

Having a classroom AND an office is a lot of space to maintain, but the separate spaces will be good for my sanity. I'll have one place to teach and one place to be in a marketing frame of mind. Being in my classroom all the time would frazzle me too much--I don't know that I'd ever be able to focus on doing one thing and one thing only. I'd be writing a press release and worrying about how I was going to get all my grading done at the same time. Having 2 spaces will help separate my mind, if that makes sense.

This is also really good for my resume. Even if I do this for just a year having the marketing experience will look good and can help me find another job if I ever want to transition out of teaching.

Now........I'm still nervous.

The woman in the position is GOOD at her job. I won't be as good as she is. Maybe eventually, but I know that just starting off it's going to be rough. Hopefully my boss and colleagues remember that I'm a bit of a "n00b" and they'll be patient with me.

The summer hours thing kind of sucks. My almost-former-colleague told me it was nothing to worry about, but still....it leaves less time for camp. I know I'll have some flexibility in terms of my hours--I won't have to take days off, I'll just have to let my boss know when I'll be in and when I won't--but I'll have to structure my days or my summers won't be productive at all.

The extra responsibility makes me a little stressed, even just thinking about it. But really, I'm doing this for the extra experience and the extra money, sad as it is to say. I NEED the experience, and it's a lie to say the extra money wouldn't help. I *hope* the money and experience will be worth the added stress.

I'm looking forward to August when I officially start, but I'll be in and out the rest of the summer getting acquainted with the system set up by our PR director. It will be a large undertaking, but it will still be worth it (I hope).