Yesterday, I officially became a resident of Baltimore, Maryland after living my first 21 years in California. Most would say I'm crazy, some say I'm brave, and a small portion of people wish they could be making the big step like me. I've been in a whirlwind of emotions since yesterday morning at around 4am. I've been excited, nervous, ready to get the hell out of San Jose, teary-eyed, overwhelmed, and downright confused as to what the hell I just did. I picked up my comfortable living situation and threw myself into the unknown.
Most of you who will read this know how I ended up here in Baltimore, but if you don't, let me explain. I (now) work for a company called Consolidated Graphics at a remote site in Timonium, Maryland that goes by PCA. Back in February, I interviewed for Consolidated Graphics' Leadership Development Program. When my interviewer asked me where I wanted to move, I told him "East Coast, preferably somewhere in the Northern part" Naturally his response was, "Why?"
Valid response. Could I answer? Nope. I just wanted to move and see something different. I've had a fascination with the East Coast since I was younger. I figured, I'm 21, single, and don't have any commitments to California, why not move?
So he put down the DC area and we moved on.
I then received a call about 3 weeks later saying I had been accepted into the program and would have an interview with a company in Timonium, Maryland. They would fly me out during the beginning of my spring break where I sat through 2 long flights there, rushed to dinner, sleep, wake up, interview all day, and get right back on to another 2 long flights. Needless to say, I was exhausted and wondering how I even got to that point. After many discussions with my mom and dad as well as some personal me time, I turned down the job. Yes, I said I turned down the job.
I went on my merry way enjoying the last few months of my senior year of college. After an amazing last few months in the beautiful city of San Luis Obispo, I packed up 4 years of memories and moved home. I took some vacation time with my mom to New York and DC and came back hungry for work. I applied for several jobs and ended up landing a job with a staffing agency as a technical recruiter in the Silicon Valley. This is where things start to make more sense.
After a few months of cold calling clients and candidates, I realized sales is not for me. Sure, I love meeting new people and having intellectual conversations with software engineers, however, I lived a lifestyle where I never knew when I was getting off work. One day after a long day at work, I received an email from my professor which looked like this:
I'm having dinner in San Antonio with the chairman and key executives of CGX. They want you to work for them. Interested?
Mail me if you do
Wait...what?! Someone wants me to work for them? Key executives want me to work for them? Naturally, I responded with yes I am employed, however I'd love to hear more about these opportunities. It was the president of the plant in Timonium, Maryland. He was impressed with skill set and personality and wanted me to come back and interview with them for the second time. I called him that night, mind you it was about 10PM where he was. Within the next few weeks, I was on another long 2 flights to Maryland, but this time I stayed longer and got to see most of the neighborhoods where the associates lived, I wined and dined where the people of Baltimore did, I felt like I actually belonged in this city that I never knew existed until I visited this past March. My now boss fed me amazing compliments and told me any employer would be lucky to have me, but he hoped that I would come back to his company.
I realized this opportunity would not come up for another long while. So, while I was on my way home, back to my suburban home in San Jose, I decided this was it. I was going to take the job, I was going to make the move, I was going to experience seasons and snow and everything that the East Coast had to offer.
So here I am, in my hotel room, waiting to check out a room that could potentially be my home for the next year. I've come a long way in a few short months and even though I'm scared as all hell for what I'm about to experience, I've never been more excited. I'm sure I'll have a few crying calls back to my mom asking her to send me home, but I know that at the end of the day this is an AMAZING opportunity. Worst case scenario? I transfer to a plant back in California. But as for now, I am a permanent resident in Baltimore, Maryland. Holy Crap.
No comments:
Post a Comment