Reflection/Rejection/Infection

I was thinking, this all feels familiar. I was then prompted to check my blog entries from this time last year, and, lo and behold, I was going through exactly the same thing, with the unemployment, moaning etc...

Firstly, there was the ESE/CS get-together at Waxy O'Connor's, followed by the party - this too happened last year. It's worth noting that I saw the guy in the picture (the one in the middle) being interviewed when I was recently in an employment agency - almost to the same day in October as when I met him this time last year! I'm sure there's a pattern here!

I also attended what was my first ever formal interview, at the NTL call centre in Bellshill. I was, of course, unsuccessful!

To be honest, I'm feeling at an all-time low just now (the lowest I've felt this year I think). I don't think it's anything to do with S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder), as I'm not prone to that - I'm sure it's once again down to being unemployed and having so much time to feel sorry for myself. Around this time last year (almost exactly to the day), I was also at my lowest point (and I'm sure this also had something to do with the rejection).

Also, I wasn't sure what to do career-wise, and was faced with a dilemma of sorts.

So, I seem to be back to square one. What have I learned in a year?...

Working in call centres is shit.

...it's a shame it took me a year to realise that, but better now than never! Actually, a shitload of other stuff has happened (both good and bad), but it's mainly been an extreme learning experience for me, as opposed to making any real progress in life. Over the coming year, I really hope to change that, and hope to become successful and of course happy with the way things are.

In fact, I now feel I'd like to try and start a career in software/IT - I'd previously thought that there wasn't much of an industry in Scotland (Glasgow in particular), but in a presentation I attended the other day, the guy said that the IT industry in Scotland is very healthy and is expanding significantly. That left me feeling optimistic about a career in IT, and given recent events I now feel more focussed about where I want to go next. In fact, I enjoyed many aspects of programming (when at uni); creating systems, coming up with solutions, debugging and fixing things - very satisfying. In fact I miss using my brain and having to think about things - maybe that's why I'm so depressed! As a job I would probably enjoy it and anything must be good compared to a call centre! On top of the challenge there's also the pay, and the opportunities for progression are excellent. It's just taken me this long to realise. In truth, I'll probably be one of those people who leave their run-of-the-mill job after a couple of years to go backpacking and "find myself", but at the moment I can think of a lot worse in terms of jobs. I guess I'm just a geek who's been in denial! Did anyone see that Star Trek episode where.....

P.s. this is probably irrelevant anyway, as avian flu might kill us all.

Honest, I didn't mean that - I'm not feeling that negative. There is hope.