A Consultant's Life (NOT) for Me

So the big interview was today and lucky for me there were no case studies in sight.  The building was slick and the interviewees were very sweet. I didn't take the wrong train or wind up in North when I was trying to go South.  But, I just can't put my figure on why I know I don't want the position.  I'm not saying they're offering, but if they do I won't be accepting. (Well that was anti-climactic, wasn't it?)

The job was a "consultant" position which is pretty much the same thing I'm dealing with now.  I basically am told every few months which client I'm going to be working on.  That client could be here in MD or in ND.  I never know.  But I do know that I hate that dread.  I hate not knowing or not having a choice what I'm going to be working on.  In this new company I'd be based around the DC Metro area.  However, there's still the chance that I could be driving to VA every week or the contract could be up with one client and I'd be thrown into something else. (I do a lot of editing: Inconsistency is my WORST enemy!)  The 2 women that interviewed me were about my age and seemed perfectly happy with that life.  All I could think was how do you do this with kids? I know I'm thinking a little too far in advance (landing a baby-daddy would be helpful first...) but once you get into a position like that, it's very hard to find something else.

All in all not the dream job I'd imagined but I wouldn't call the interview a total bust.  It was great practice.  And I think it made me realize a few things I really want out of my perfect career.  I realized that consistency is important to me so no consulting jobs or travel all around the world jobs (unless the Travel Channel is offering in which case I'm ALL IN!)  What's really important to me is that I find a job to help people.  I hate that my only purpose in my position now is to make my bosses money.  I know that money is important but making a difference is important too (in my little world anyway)!  I'm going to start focusing my search on hospitals, schools, non-profits, and universities. These are the environments in which I think I can do the most good but which also have departments that match my skill sets. (eLearning in case you were wondering)  Lastly, I'm hoping to find something  where I can be creative too.  eLearning is fun and can be really exciting but not when your clients are boring and want the same stuff day in and day out.

So check that out.  After one terrifying bust of an interview, I've already mapped out my perfect career! Now who wants to hire me...??