15 to 30: goodbye, rat race

My Past Accomplishment: Leaving the Rat Race

After earning my degree in Mass Communications with a concentration in Public Relations from Boston University, it took me a couple of years after graduation to find a job I truly enjoyed – doing book publicity at Penguin Grop (USA) and DK Publishing. My enjoyment stemmed from the fact that I wholeheartedly believed in the products I was pushing. I’ve always been an avid reader, and who doesn’t like to know about the latest and greatest book?

When I moved to Omaha almost three years ago, I had difficulty finding a job. Since I couldn’t do exactly what I was doing back in New York City, I applied for publicity positions at advertising agencies. I thought it could be interesting to promote different products on a daily basis rather than all books, all the time. By the time I was hired almost 7 months later by a local agency, I was itching to get back in the game. Unfortunately, promoting health insurance and farm equipment companies proved less exciting than pitching bestselling books, and within a couple of months I became disenchanted with my job.

I understand that work is called work because it’s not necessarily fun, but I’ve always had a hard time sticking with things that don’t provide me any sense of enjoyment or fulfillment. I envy people who can work a grueling 9-5 job because they understand that the benefits – hearty salary or excellent health insurance outweigh the negatives. Unfortunately, I’m not one of those people. I’d rather make less money doing something I love, something into which I can throw all of my energy and passion.

With the support of my soon-to-be husband (emotionally and financially), I gave my two week notice and officially left the rat race for greener pastures shortly before my May 2008 wedding. Of course I was terrified to  leave, to enter the unknown. Did I make the right decision? Check back tomorrow to see what I’ve accomplished since I made my escape.

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