Big-time, Here I Come!

Ok, maybe the title of this post is a bit exaggerated, but the truth of the matter is that my writing "career" just had a monumental boost. As some of you know, I have been doing an editorial internship at the Tampa Bay Business Journal (http://tampabay.bizjournals.com/tampabay/) since November. As you can imagine, I've done several stories for them in the months since I started. Just as I was preparing to complete my internship and jump back into the depressing job market scene, something happened, something that I personally was never expecting. Thursday morning (about a half hour into my shift), I was called in to see my editor Alexis, and he told me that the company was hiring me as its new editorial assistant!!!

Now, to be fair, let me explain that this wasn't a total surprise. In fact, the moment I found out via e-mail that my predecessor had left the company, I marched into Alexis' office and declared my interest in the position. Since then, we'd discussed it a few times but nothing concrete had come from it. In the meantime, I convinced myself that there was no chance I would get it. After all, I had little to no business writing experience when I started, and I didn't think they would take a chance on me. Although I knew I had been doing good work for them, I was definitely still developing as a business journalist. Now I realize that much of my worry was completely self-fabricated and was probably just a way for me to prepare myself for the disappointment of having to hit job search mode once again.

I guess it just goes to show you that sometimes gambles DO pay off. Well, that and the tenacity to jump on an opportunity when one falls in your lap (haha...). I started this internship with no guarantees, except a great resume booster, and ended up with a salaried, full-time writing gig. Although I'll now have to rearrange my schedule and perhaps drop one or two of my ancillary writing gigs, I can now say that I am a full-time writer and finally have the professional stability that I have never had.* Believe it or not, this will be my very first full-time job. I can't wait to get started!

So take this as a lesson, fellow writers. Although it may be a long, torturous road at times, keep on writing and good things will happen for you. Just be open to new opportunities, stay positive and hang in there!!!

-Rob

*FYI: I've already begun scheming how I can fit screenwriting into my schedule. Just in case you were wondering... ;)