A Full-Time Job AND a Full-Time Student?!

Well, I finally did it: I landed a full-time job outside of the military. I am a full-time police dispatcher for…the University of Illinois at Springfield. It was a tough decision to accept the position, as I realized that a LOT of my time will be spent either at work, in class, or doing homework.

My wife and I are still living in the booming metropolis of Carlinville—a 45-mile/45 minute drive south from UIS, and I would l-o-v-e to move up to Springfield. However, with my current pay netting me a little less than $20k/year, we would end up scraping by. Still…it could be an adventure, couldn’t it?

A Potential Problem:

With regard to my job, I’m slated to work the overnight shift for the next 2 weeks—from 11pm till 7am. Thankfully, this isn’t as bad as it could be…but Mondays may end up being less than desirable once training is over. Here’s why:

At some point, my shift will have me work from Sunday at 11pm until Monday at 7am. My first class starts at 2pm. If I drive home, I’d be home from 8am till 1 in the afternoon—then I drive back up for classes followed by work again from 11p – 7a on Tuesday. However, that’s when I go home until class on Wednesday.

It’d be a lot of wear ‘n tear on my car, but it is all highway miles. (sigh)

I have no idea how things will end up…but I know I will certainly give it my best!!

To the new freshmen on campus: Welcome to UIS!!

I'll be blogging about my classes here, soon! Until then...

~ N.