Start of a terrifying new job

You know, I was all terrified about starting this new job, but writing the title word “terrifying” all of a sudden put this in perspective: a new job is hardly “terror.”  

I wrote before that I need a new job, not because I wanted something else specific, but because I don’t know what I want and I want to continue the search rather than staying at the same place knowing it’s a doom.  

I was lucky enough to have been interviewed by a firm that I thought, hey – is different.  I don’t have the offer letter in my hand (so I’m not sure how much more I’m getting paid), and I can’t be sure that I am leaving a good job for a better one.  But the good job is driving me psychotic- because while my favorite career blogger Penelope Trunk keeps saying that mentor matters more than the company, I know first hand that being surrounded by good people but doing boring work is just not enough.  

My current coworkers (both senior to me, so they are more like mentors) selflessly taught me, pushed me, and provided honest feedbacks that are more valuable than gold.  They are the ones that brought home the message to me that you don’t have to sabotage and compete fiercely in order to win.  The idea that “cut-throat” or “kill or be killed” is the only solution obviously has not stepped into our current world – the Obama world – where caring for each other, promoting the growth of others, being who we are, accepting differences complexities and mistakes, are true winnings and ultimately will come back to benefit you.  

Needlessly to say, I don’t know if I’ll never find such nurturing coworkers elsewhere.  I’m not going to bank on this new work environment, which seems more male-centric and “corporate”, but I’m not going to give up based on presumptions.  

I believe that you can find connections anywhere.  There are assholes out there, but those are 1 out of a bunch and as long as I can spot out the sane ones – I am going to make strong connections and open doors.

Recession, what recession?