20 days.

That’s what I *think* I have left on my current 6-month contract with this client. (I say “think” because I’ve been told that, even though it was originally quoted as ‘6mos-temp-to-perm possibly”, this client doesn’t really write in an end date. *shrug* Whateva.)

20 days. Well, actually 19 now.

And then….?????

I don’t know. LOL

I’m a wee bit torn. Do I continue to contract, company to company, maybe even industry to industry? Do I ditch the contracting gig and find permanent employment on my own?

I was asked last week if I would stay with this client either in this department or another area of this subsidiary OR work for the parent company. Personally, giving the raggedy-ness of the current situation, I’d be surprised if an extension was offered. When originally asked, I said I would have to think about it - love the “potential” work/concept of the position but the “reality” of the situation is WAY off. Staying would require them to lay out a whole lot of specifics (which they appear to be allergic to) and me countering with a host of caveats cause I ain’t even trying to be unhappy for one minute longer than I have to be.

Truth be told, I probably need to back it up and move on. Part of the original allure was the potential for this position to encapsulate all the things I love to do. But I have to be honest – part of my coming here was about it being a “comfort zone” of sorts. Ha! God showed me how very quickly a “comfort zone” could become uncomfortable and morph into a rut.

As I look toward the future, I need to decide if I truly want to stay in this industry. And I think I do. If so, I haven’t seen many contracting companies that specialize in this field. (I know they exist - I was contacted by one such firm last December but…they are 100% travel and I’m not sure I want to do that.) Add to that the fact that most contracting firms are looking for straight technical skills and I don’t want to be quite that technical.

Staying in this industry means I need additional certification. I could get that on my own dime but it would be so much sweeter to not only get it on someone else’s dime but also someone else’s time. So…I need a “sponsor” (also known as an employer). One who would cover the costs…and possibly pay ME for being certified on their dime.

Being a business analyst/project manager, my skillset is transferrable across industries. Gathering/writing requirements. Writing/excuting use/test cases. Developing/monitoring a project plan. Those things don’t differ much across industries.

BUT…what I’ve found is that, most BSA jobs are much more technical in nature than I want to be (which is funny since my undergrad degree is “technical”). Personally, I prefer walking that line between business & technical, with my pinky toe over the line on the business side. Looking at what my contracting company has as far as openings, they are heavy on technical offerings. If there’s an option, I’m going to always lean toward the “BUSINESS” side of my BSA skills. Ergo, my quandry.

I’ve been digging through some old papers, trying to find “the perfect job description”. What’s that you ask? Years ago, when I was itching to move up and on, I sat down and made a list of the things that I’d like in my “perfect” job. I need to pull that out, dust if off, and revise it. Once I do that, maybe I’ll have some clarity about what comes next.

I did stumble across three positions that are great fits for me. AND…they’re all telecommuting positions. I’m loving that!! So I’m updating my resume, crafting the perfect cover letters and going to see if I can stir up some interest on behalf of those organizations. I need to have a conversation with my consulting firm too. See what they have available in case my “finds” don’t pan out or take longer than I would like to come through.

We’ll see how it goes as I search for that “near-perfect” fit.

Work Smart,
*~* MsJayy *~* >