Discovered in my Inbox:
Hey Aliya:
Love your blog. Will send something for your ‘pitch me’ column soon.
In the meantime. I need advice. BADLY.
Graduated in May from REDACTED University with a degree in journalism/mass communication. For nine months, looking for a job. In the meantime, I have been fake-interning at an entertainment magazine (a pull out supplement in the Sunday paper) in my hometown. I don’t get paid. (I was an official intern when I was in college.) I am just here so I can keep my face visible for when a job does become available. I work in several different departments. I do get to write a little. I even work in the design department sometimes which is great because I feel like I’m learning lots of different things.
I kept hearing rumors that the editor-in-chief’s assistant was moving and that he would be looking for a new assistant. But I never saw a job listing and no one seemed to know anything definitive. I applied for two editorial assistant jobs at very well known magazines. One job is at my ULTIMATE DREAM MAGAZINE. I was pretty sure I didn’t have a chance. But thats the job i would kill for. Anyway, last week, the editor in chief at my current “job” finally asked me to apply to be his assistant. Seven other people applied and I got the job! I accepted the job and my start date is set for April 1.
Two days later, I got a call from REDACTED magazine (my dream job). I was offered a position as an editorial assistant.
The salary is 15,000 higher at my dream job. And it’s Manhattan. (I currently live about 100 miles outside of NYC)
I had already taken the other job. But I still said YES immediately to the new job.
Now I have to quit a job I haven’t even started yet. The staff there has known me since I was an intern two years ago and everyone is nice and friendly. I know I will burn a bridge forever and this is my hometown so I will see these people. My parents and my college professor told me I need to keep the job I accepted and that is wrong to do anything else.
What would you do? I really want this other job. I know you are busy. And by the time you write me back I might already have made a decision. But I’d like to get your thoughts on this situation anyway. Thanks you.
-Nott Marealname
Here’s my answer to Nott: (well, an expanded version of my answer…)
Dear Nott:
First of all, congratulations. Getting not one but two offers is a huge accomplishment, especially in this economy. (I am so tired of that expression, especially in this economy..) Before I give you my advice on your situation, one quick thing. I see that you sent me a friend request on Facebook. I confirmed it. And then, because I’m nosy, I clicked through to your page and checked out your photos.
You need to categorize your friends. Immediately.
And people like me should not be able to view your photo albums. You have photos that are very unprofessional on your Facebook page. If I were looking for an assistant and saw these pictures, I would not hire you. Not because you’re swapping spit with your girl. That’s fine. But because you should know that I shouldn’t be able to see that. After ten minutes of looking at your photos, I know way too much about your personal life. (Is that a blunt behind your ear? Really? That’s just not cool.)
Okay. Moving on.
I’ve been in your situation. And it is awful.
Let me tell you my story.
In 1998, I was hired as an editorial assistant at Billboard magazine. I was geeked and excited. It was my first gig in publishing. Billboard back then was very old school. It was run like a newspaper. And it was hard as hell to get a clip in there. My job was to answer the phones, file, distribute mail and write the table of contents each week. I was antsy. I wanted to write.
One day, after I had been there about nine months, I approached the Managing Editor and told her I wanted to try to do more writing for the magazine.
“Maybe in another year or so,” she said with a smile.
A year? Or SO?
Um. No.
I started looking for another job immediately.
[Sidebar: ‘Nuff respect to my boss. She wanted me to take my time and learn all the tricks of the trade. And she did start to assign me small stories. But I had big dreams.]
In the meantime, I was freelancing for every magazine that would have me. I wrote pieces (for free) at Stress, a legendary hip-hop magazine. I wrote music reviews for XXL, short news stories for The Source, interviewed Mya for Honey. I was hustling. Hard.
My dream job was to work at The Source.
In 1998, It was the epicenter of hip-hop culture. The editor-in-chief was a man named Selwyn Seyfu Hinds, a Princeton grad with a penchant for pink oxfords and well-tailored suits. I’d met him a few times and he was always encouraging.
Selwyn was looking to beef up his staff and he brought me in for an informational interview.
I came armed with twenty-five story ideas. Half of them already thoroughly researched. I brought the last ten copies of The Source and showed him where the magazine was lacking. (Can you imagine!) I told him why he needed me to handle the front-of-the-book news stories.
Selwyn smiled. And nodded.
“I think you’d fit in well here…Let me look at my budget. I’ll be calling you.”
I floated back up to my office at Bilboard in Times Square.
I was going to work at The Source! Maybe. Yay!
A week went by. And then another. And then another. And I didn’t hear from Selwyn. I called his assistant each week. And the answer was always the same. He’ll get back to you.
After a month, it seemed like it just wasn’t going to happen.
And then, one morning at Billboard, I got a phone call.
“Aliya, this is ABC, from Blaze magazine.”
I remember turning my head to the right and signaling wildly to Dylan, my cubicle mate. She watched me intently as I spoke on the phone, my hands shaking.
Blaze was the new hip-hop magazine that the folks from VIBE had recently launched.
They were coming straight for The Source. The magazine had been out for a while and had gone through a lot of turmoil, including a change in the editorial lineup.
Now the managing editor was asking me to come in for an interview.
I was shocked. I didn’t even know those people knew who I was. I’d done a few music reviews for Vibe and I considered Danyel Smith, the editor-in-chief of Vibe, to be a mentor. But still. They were thinking about little old me?
I went for the interview. The Managing Editor gave me a tour of the offices, explained to me the position they were looking for, Associate Editor and what my responsibilities would be. There wasn’t a lot of writing involved. More editing. But still! A job! At Blaze? Sign. me. up.
At the end of the meeting, I met briefly with Mimi Valdez Valdes with an S, not a Z!, the editor-in-chief of Blaze. I’d been reading Mimi’s byline for ages and ages. (I’d even watched her jump the masthead from Vibe to The Source when I was still in college. And then, a few issues later, her name was back on the masthead at Vibe. In my Magazine notebook, I carefully noted. “Mimi back at Vibe.” The same way I did when I noticed Akiba Solomon’s byline jumped from Jane to The Source.
Mimi showed me the new issue of the magazine, fresh from the printer, a young Lil Wayne with his infant daughter in his arms.
I went back to Billboard, hopeful but not overly so. After what happened with The Source, I wasn’t going to get my hopes up. So I went back to filing, faxing and answering the phones.
I put another call into Selwyn. I wanted him to know that if I didn’t hear from him, I would take the job at Blaze, if it was offered to me. I didn’t hear back from Selwyn.
One Friday afternoon, I got a call from the Managing Editor at Blaze. I was officially offered the job as Associate Editor. I accepted. I went down to the office the next day to sit in on a staff meeting, get a tour of the offices and talk about salary.
I was making $18,000 at Billboard. That’s not a typo. That’s exactly what I was making. I had left my teaching gig the year before, where I was making 35,000. And I was making less than half that at Billboard. I’m still proud of that young girl who took a risk and didn’t think about the money.
I digress.
Blaze offered me 34,000. I could actually pay my student loans each month instead of deferring them! I could eat! And not just Ramen noodles! I could even maybe get an apartment. (After two roommates left me stranded when they moved in with their boyfriends, I moved all my belongings under my desk at Billboard, (and hid some in some never-used cabinets). I had been sofa-crashing, (or sleeping on the floor under my desk), for several weeks.
The day after I accepted the job at Blaze, I got a call from Selwyn.
“Aliya, you are a very talented writer. And besides that, you’re hungry and tenacious. I looked over your story ideas and you are exactly what we need here at The Source. I’m pleased to formally offer you a position as a staff writer with a salary of 33,000 per year. Welcome to The Source.”
I had tears rolling down my face. I was overjoyed that this man respected how hard I’d work in the past year to even get myself on his radar. But of course I was also crying because I was stuck.
“Aliya?”
“Yes. I’m here.”
“Are you accepting the position?”
“Can I call you back tomorrow?”
“Of course. Talk to you then.”
I remember rolling around on the floor of cubicle, while my girl Dylan tried to help me decide what to do. I had heart palpitations. My stomach was full of butterflies. I think I even threw up.
I can’t stress to you how crazy this was. Two of the top hip-hop magazines in the country had both offered me jobs?
Now. I have to say, The Source had been around since 1988. It was firmly entrenched at number one. And with Selwyn, the magazine was filling its masthead with respected writers from around the country. It would be an honor to sweep the floors at that place.
And Blaze was nothing to sneeze at either. They were the young, scrappy upstart. They took risks with their covers. And it skewed younger and hipper. I could see myself getting a chance to really shine there. Selwyn was like a King at The Source. And it was hard to get an audience. Mimi seemed more accessible. And I felt like she would really let me shine as a writer if I showed her what I was capable of.
“Dylan,” I asked. “What the hell am I supposed to do?”
“I have no idea,” Dylan said, shaking her head.
“What would you do?” I asked.
“I would stay with Blaze,” Dylan said. “If you turn around and go to their main competitor? That’s a bridge you’ve burned forever.”
“I know.”
“But Aliya,” she said. “Where do you want to be. Without filtering yourself, right now, where do you want to be?”
“I want to be at The Source.”
Dylan threw up her hands.
“You’ll never forgive yourself if you don’t go.”
The next morning, I called the Managing Editor at Blaze.
As I write this, I’m sitting at a Starbucks in Jersey, ten years removed from that phone call. And right now, my heart is thumping. And my stomach is churning. It’s hard for me to even revisit that morning without feeling all that anxiety come rushing back.
The managing editor answered the phone on the first ring.
“Blaze magazine…”
“This is Aliya King. I’m sorry but I have some not-so-good news that I need to–”
“Don’t even tell me Aliya. Do not even tell me that you’re going to The Source.”
I was shocked.
“Um. Well… Yes, I am–”
“You know what? That’s real WHACK,” he said, his voice rising. “It’s unprofessional. And it’s unacceptable. We just sent you an official letter, outlining your position. You accepted the job. This is totally ridiculous.”
I sat at my desk at Billboard, tears streaming down my face and nodding my head.
“I totally understand. You have every right to be upset,” I said.
“You guys are playing games over there and it’s not right,” he said. “You’re not the first one to pull this.”
“Pull what? I wasn’t trying to pull–”
“Yeah, right. You get an offer over there. And then you come over here and we top it and then you run back over there for more money.”
“No no no,” I said. “That’s not what happened at all. I never–”
“Whatever. Thanks for calling. Anything else?”
“No. That’s it. I’m going to reach out to Mimi and tell her–”
“Mimi does not want to talk to you. Trust me. I’ll tell her myself.”
And he hung up.
I felt like I’d gone a round or two with Mike Tyson.
The last part of what the managing editor said had confused me. I had no idea that other people at The Source had been dipping over to Blaze to see if they could get a salary bump and then going back to The Source and demanding a raise while threatening to jump ship.
No matter. Accepting the job at Blaze and then un-accepting it was whack and unprofessional. And I would have to wear that. Forever.
As soon as I hung up the phone, I picked it back up again.
Even though dude told me not to bother calling Mimi, I did anyway.
I was shook. But something in my mind told me to suck it up and tell her what I was doing. I needed to woman-up and face it. I knew she’d be pissed. But I wanted to face it head-on.
Her assistant put me through.
“Hey Aliya,” she said.
I’ll never forget her voice. It was clipped. But still pleasant.
“I wanted to tell you myself. This is very unprofessional. But I am taking a job at The Source that I interviewed for a while back.”
“I see,” Mimi said. “I appreciate you calling me and telling me yourself. Take care.”
She hung up quickly.
And it was over.
I started at The Source a month later.
And Blaze folded the following year.
Did I do the right thing? I don’t know. I think it worked out for me. But it could have gone in another direction. What if The Source had folded? And Blaze was the last rap magazine standing? I know I would have had a very hard time finding a new job.
When Blaze went under, much of the staff ended up at Vibe, the parent company. And Mimi moved up the masthead to editor-in-chief.
For years, I didn’t even bother to pitch Vibe. I was sure that Mimi probably considered me persona non grata.
And that’s the price you pay for making a decision like that. It will always follow you. I continued to ply my trade as a freelancer, working hard and developing good stories.
And years after the Blaze incident, I did ended up writing for Vibe, under Mimi’s direction. I wrote a cover story on Faith Evans, (which would go on to jump off my career in the book game), and Mimi wrote me a note when it was published.
It was simple. It just said:
good job.
It is completely to her credit that she brought me back into the Vibe fold. And I ended up doing some of my best work at the magazine in the years following.
But I must warn you, I got lucky. You may not.
If you accept the dream job, please be advised. You never know where the people at your hometown paper will end up. Five years from now, your new dream job could be run by someone from the job you are going to be leaving in the lurch.
Now granted, in this economy, (ugh. did I just say that again?), they will probably not have any trouble filling your position. But still, understand that there will be bad blood.
If I were you? I’d take the leap of faith. If it’s truly your dream job, you don’t have a choice, do you?
Hope this helps. Good luck. And for God’s sake, clean up your Facebook page.
-ASK
dear readers, was my advice on point? What would you have done in my position? What would you do in “Nott’s” position. I’d love to hear from you…
Aliya S. King 
March 12, 2009 at 10:05 am
Aliya – your advice was on point for Nott and your made the right decision. The emotion that you showed while contemplating your decision really shows you have a heart. Some people do play the money game back and forth and sometimes end up getting hurt in the end. As you did, Nott should go for the dream job but know that some one may not accept his decision and he has to be OK with that.
Good advice on the facebook thing. I need to categorize and do some cleanup myself.
March 12, 2009 at 10:08 am
That is an incredible story. I can’t even comment more bc that anxiety you mentioned has turned my stomach to mush. But I hope that “Nott” makes the right decision. (If you are reading this Nott follow your DREAMS) I made a similar one year’s ago right out of college and I am still not sure if it was the right one. Oh well.
March 12, 2009 at 10:26 am
Aliya, fabulous story. (I was all jittery reading the part where you tell Mimi about your decision.) And great advice too. And in this case person’s case, the dream job pays more!? I def. agree that the writer should go for it. I remember interviewing for ed. asst. jobs that paid $18,000. (I didn’t know the pay scale until after the first two interviews, or I wouldn’t have bothered.) And these weren’t dream jobs iether, so I passed. But if they were, I’m not sure I would have had the nerve to live broke, but enjoy my work and build a career in magazine publishing. Though burning bridges is a concern, and I never advocate being unprofessional, the writer actually accepted both positions already. So no matter which he turns down, he’ll be burning a bridge with someone. (Next time, ask for a day or two to get back on the second job off.)
Aliya, I too am nosy and love to follow people’s career paths. I’d love to see a timeline of your career (teaching and all).
March 12, 2009 at 10:38 am
What excellent advice! I would take the dream job too. I would also tell her to take a bit of your advice with making a personal phone call and turn that into meeting with the editor who hired her before hand to deliver the news in person. Then she would have a chance to explain the situation and get a little understanding, if at all possible. I’m sure someone in the office where she is presently employed, whether they want to admit it or not, will understand. There are lots of people who didn’t take the leap of faith when they could have and regret it. Those who aren’t so supportive? Oh well. Let haters be motivators.
March 12, 2009 at 10:58 am
Totally agree with your advice!!! On point
March 12, 2009 at 11:06 am
HAAAAAA!!!
and that’s all I’ma say on that right thurrrrr…
(as some curtains are better left unopened…)
=)
March 12, 2009 at 11:08 am
shit, m’baaaad.
as to the advice:
VERY on point. hey, Nott, listen up, homes. thems is JEWELS this woman is throwing at you…
March 12, 2009 at 11:15 am
I agree with you, Aliya. Take the job you want. I mean, there’s a difference btwn being an editor’s assistant and being an editorial assistant… right? The latter seems more like a power move and it doesn’t hurt that it’s with the Dream Company.
I once turned down a job making more than I’ve ever made (to date) as an editor at a teen writing mag. I had to commute from Yonkers to Stamford and walk to the office building three times for interviews. There were homework assignments, issue theme pitches, an onsite writing sample. They finally offered me the gig and I accepted, but it didn’t feel right. I was about to graduate from my MFA program and I wanted to teach writing. The other job was dope but I aced myself out of it, geeked up to be a teacher.
I panicked after gra5uation and called them to see if they’d reconsider me. I started to worry that I wouldn’t get hired as a teacher before September and then I’d likely have to wait a year.
Anyway, the hirer told me her boss was really disgusted that I’d declined the gig and didn’t want me anymore. They would, however, consider letting me freelance, since they still planned to use the ideas from all those pre-hire assignments and interviews. I never heard from them again.
I did get a teaching job a month later. Sometimes, I think I did the right thing. Other times, I miss the salary and the power, such as it would’ve been. lol
I also had one of those two job offers at once things. In that case, I did make the right choice and wound up not burning bridges since the other job was in medical writing and I’ve managed to steer clear of that over the years.
On another note: I think that Blaze employee was just as unprofessional as he claimed you were being. Like, seriously?
March 12, 2009 at 11:48 am
Oy. Doesn’t life always hand you situations like this? Feast or famine!
This is a tough one. I am still new to the working world–only a few years removed from college. Some days it feels like the drop in the bucket that it is. Other days it feels like an eternity. I’ve been underemployed while trying to pursue my passion, and it has been challenging. There are times of insecurity (like now!) where I over-analyze every decision I’ve made. I consider myself a calculated risk taker. In hindsight, there are a couple of decisions I’ve made that I worry may come back to kick me in the butt. Times where I thought I burned a bridge. Although I may have caused some uneasy feelings, each situation progressed in ways I never imagined. In fact, I was recently approached by a person who I just knew hated my guts, and they actually remembered my writing goals and offered to help me find a job with their company. I was completely shocked. Didn’t know how to take it…but decided to hursh my inner skeptic and count it as a blessing.
In Nott’s situation, my major concern wouldn’t be the dream job (because if it’s a dream job it’s a no-brainer) but the life I would have outside of it. The $15,000 increase is probably the cost-of-living difference. I would be thinking about all the factors related to “making it” in New York City. This is actually the biggest reason why I didn’t pursue New York. When I was absolutely broke and waiting impatiently for my refund check during the last week of my fabulous fashion internship, I considered for the very first time how different life would be as a working person in New York City. It was a huge reality check. Like Katura, I didn’t have the nerve to live broke and pursue my passion (well, at least not in New York), so I had to reroute my dreams, which put me in a position of having limited access to the publishing hub.
Nott, you are not me. I made…and continue to make the best possible decisions I can at the moment I make them. They may not be what other people think I should have done, and they may end up being bad decisions, but I am the one that has to live with them. And you have to live with yours.
Knowing what I know (and I learn a little bit more every day), I would go with the first offer. From the information given, it sounds like you know and work well with the staff there and are given opportunities to work in a number of areas. IMO, that’s great experience. However, this the “safe” way, and there is a lot of experience to gain from stepping out of your comfort zone.
Good luck with your decision, Nott. I hope we get an update. Oh and Katura, I love speaking to people about their career paths too. In fact, I think I may like that more than I like writing! Still trying to scheme on a way I can make a career out of THAT. :-p
March 12, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Isn’t that what it’s all about. You struggle so that you can make it to your dream job, you take risk and shoot for the stars. You have to keep in mind that if Dream job turns into nightmare, there will be no looking back at the safe job. But you hustled for this, WORKING FOR FREE, treat yourself homey. Just keep telling yourself that you aint make it yet. Stay hungry and keep going hard, and it will all work itself out.
March 12, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Great post Aliya. I swear, my stomach knotted up and I got nervous when you made the call to Mimi! Writing at its best! I also agree with your advice. I, myself, have been taking the safe route (due to it taking me a moment to figure out what I want for a career). I’m working a job that, if I were interested in this field (healthcare management) I could build a career. It’s fairly easy and I make good money, especially considering I don’t have a degree. However, I decided to go in a completely different direction (fashion/retail) and I started school 2 years ago. I learned last april that eventually, I ‘m going to be let go from this job. While most people were scared (because of this economy) I was excited. Why? Bc I had already made the decision to follow my dreams. I started preparing myself for my last day (would’ve been Oct 31). Even got a part time in retail just to get back in the swing of things. A month after learning my “fate”, I went to a meeting to learn that I was to go through prep interviews with management so that they could help me land a job with one of the new companies taking over in our area. In this instance, most people were overjoyed. I cried. (Sidebar-My aunt is the CEO and was trying to help everyone secure a job). Why? Because i had already mapped out my plans. I knew the struggles that would come along but I didn’t care. I now understood what people meant by saying fnid something that you are good at, passionate about, and build a career doing it. When I had a meeting with my aunt to decline the training and subsequent interview, she treated me like the Blaze Editor. But, I stood firm in my decision bc I would rather struggle than be stuck doing something that I don’t like, just for the sake of money and to keep everyone ELSE happy. I am still at the company (oh she found a way to keep me around as long as possible which right now I don’t mind bc I’m setting myself up financially) but once my last day comes, I’m cutting backflips out the door. I’ll be able to pursue MY dreams. With no regrets.
So Nott, your dream job has presented itself earlier than expected. If you don’t take it, will you regret it? If not, play it safe and stay at home. If you will, you have your answer…..
March 12, 2009 at 9:34 pm
This was truly great advice, Facebook info and beyond. I’ve been there — trying to find my dream editorial job and doing what I needed to do to pay my bills. Trust me it pretty much sucks, but it also builds character. I wholly agree, go for you dream job and personally contact the editor and tell them that something else became available.
You only have one life, and it’s too short to have “what if,” moments. And also as an editor, he should know how hard it is to get in the industry. I’ve had the pleasure of having editors that wanted to see me advance even if that meant moving on or turning down offers. Hopefully this editor will be the same and if not, handle the situation with dignity and respect and move on to your destiny.
March 12, 2009 at 9:35 pm
What’s up with that Selwyn, what took him so long to hire you and make you suffer?!?!?! (That’s my boy from high school) Great story Aliya, and I would say pretty good advice too. As I was reading, though, I couldn’t help but feel like saying “its business, not personal”…but it could be the hardened, corporate-me that’s speaking. Nott should go with what he/she thinks would be the best move for them, if dream company, then go for it, but always do it professionally and with respect. “In this economy”, people are seeking out the best opportunities for themselves, something that hiring managers are going to have to deal with. One more thing, good advice about the friends list, I’ve done this now with my FB and anyone that I don’t know personally goes into a group with very limited access. Its comforting, thanks Li :)
March 13, 2009 at 12:01 am
I agree, sound advice. I would definitely take the dream job. Either is a risk but not going for a position you’ve been dreaming of your whole life that you actually got? That’s just… I don’t know how anyone could not. I think any editor of “the other publication,” whatever one you’re deserting, of course they’ll be disappointed but they should understand the importance of pursuing your passion. I actually DON’T think it’s unprofessional. It happens. It’s just a nuisance for the publication that’s losing you but they can always find a replacement. A once in a lifetime opportunity is just hard to pass up
March 13, 2009 at 12:09 am
and I changed my fb photo settings… Isn’t there such a thing as facebook discrimination re: applying for a job? lol
March 13, 2009 at 12:17 am
As you can imagine, lol, I love this story. And yes, I was heated for years! YEARS! There is no right answer for this situation; you just have to do what you feel in your gut. If you follow your instincts, you’ll be best prepared to handle whatever the consequences are. When you’re in my shoes, you have to analyze these kinds of actions very carefully. Like, was Aliya the type that would accept an assignment, do the interview, and then decide she didn’t want to turn in her article? I mean, seriously, she was capable of anything as far as I knew, lol! However, after hearing positive things about her work ethic, I eventually had to make a choice. Stay mad at a young writer who was clearly becoming one of the most undeniable talents out there or let Aliya’s beautiful writing grace the pages of VIBE and give the readers a really dope story? Well, y’all already know how this story ends!!!
Oh, and love ya girl, but uh, lol, Valdés is spelled with an S.
March 13, 2009 at 3:32 am
What a great story. Sometime one has to follow the beat of his or her heart, even if on the surface he or she may come across as something that isn’t necessarily justified, i.e. fickle or unprofessional or whack. All of us can relate to this feeling at some point in our lives.
And true true true @ “especially in this economy…” Mercy me we all tired of hearing that for REAL.
Lastly, that 2005 Faith cover story was one of the best. And long overdue.
March 13, 2009 at 4:15 am
I concur with Antonio. Inspiring and well articulated! Thank you for your insight.
March 13, 2009 at 5:29 am
Well done Aliya. Good advice and you gave a great personal example to solidify it. If its truly a “dream job” you probably have to take advantage, because no matter what happens, you normally end up kicking yourself for not following your dreams. Trust me, I know.
March 13, 2009 at 9:05 am
Great read, Aliya. The advice was on point and you know, it’s not easy to come up on your dream job, so I definitely could see myself talking a rain check on the current job and moving on. Like retha said, “its business, not personal”…Folks should be respected for taking giant leaps of faith, so in my book, both Nott and you made the right decision. If ever given the wonderful-crazy-anxious-beautifully-intoxicating chance of having my dream job, I’d walk right up to my boss and say ‘thank you, god bless and good night’ guicker than Russell Simmons! LOL! :)
March 13, 2009 at 10:01 am
UPDATE: Nott Marealname has turned down the job she already accepted at her hometown paper. She did it in person and she said it was very uncomfortable. The managing editor “shook his head and then shrugged his shoulders dismissively.” He then wished her the best of luck and that was that.
Nott will be starting at her dream job on Monday, March 30.
She has no place in Manhattan to live. And so, she will be sofa-hopping for a while.
Let’s hope the folks in her hometown won’t hold this against her forever.
Shout out to Mimi ValdeS (with an S!) for checking in with a comment. Mimi, we’ve never talked about that fateful day. But I want to tell you, right up in here in this public forum: I really appreciate getting a second chance. Thank you.
March 13, 2009 at 10:13 am
You’re welcome! :)
March 13, 2009 at 10:14 am
Hilarious that Mimi commented. I love this blog.
Great advice. I hope Nott takes his/her dream job. It’s the only thing to do as far as I’m concerned. It’s not called the “dream job” for nothing.
It’s easier for the gig to find another employee than it is for Nott to find another dream job.
March 13, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Great story! I had a similar dilemma when I was a junior in college, only it was over taking a dream internship at a national, women’s mag (where I wanted to eventually end up) or a better-paying internship at the D.C. bureau of a news agency. I had already accepted the D.C. internship (which, btw was tied to my college’s Journalism chair–awkward!!), but I ended up going with the women’s mag. And I don’t regret it all. I can’t imagine having to do that with a permanent gig!
March 13, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Drop it like its hot why don’tcha.
THAT is a decision I have had not to make thankfully but I already know based on all my other decisions…go with the dream!
keep it coming.
brook
March 16, 2009 at 4:18 pm
I would literally murder someone to have two dream job offers like that, wow. Going to read this all the way through in a few minutes, but two dream gigs at once is wild, esp. as a fresh graduate from college. I graduated, and I interviewed for a dream job, but I didn’t get it. I was devastated, but I guess it made me stronger
March 16, 2009 at 4:27 pm
I definitely agree with you, Aliya. When I was interviewing for said dream job, I was also applying for a job at a Detroit paper. I was planning for a situation where I got offers from both, and I was wondering what I’d do if I got one offer and accepted and didn’t get the other, etc. The dream job was my literal dream job – one of my fav magazines, in NYC (across the country from my Michigan hometown/location), and doing what I loved – so I had decided that I’d go with them, either way. I guess I didn’t get the chance to really make that choice, though.
March 16, 2009 at 8:05 pm
I agree that you have to do what’s best for you and what’s going to get you where you want to be. Especially early on in your career. I think if she comes to the company… ASAP and not wait to the last minute, with poise, that they will understand that she’s received a better offer and it shouldn’t burn a bridge with people that she’s already had a successful internship with.
March 17, 2009 at 8:41 pm
This is such a wonderful story! I arrived at this post through Twitter and I completly felt identified. Although in my country (Argentina) there aren’t really that many good editorial jobs to get into this type of situation.
That said, my advice would have been the same as Nott’s friend. I belive when we have a desition to make, there’s usually only one choice we can live with… and the other one is something you’d never forgive yourself for.
Anyway, I’ll write back to you if I ever get a shot at my dream job. Great blog!!
Bye
March 30, 2009 at 3:48 pm
[…] my set of Blaze Magazine issues [semi-tangent: Aliya S. King relayed a great story involving Blaze right here). I’ve teased Cedric many times that I would get around to scanning his appearance in the […]
March 30, 2009 at 4:22 pm
[…] my set of Blaze Magazine issues [semi-tangent: Aliya S. King relayed a great story involving Blaze right here). I’ve teased Cedric many times that I would get around to scanning his appearance in the […]
March 31, 2009 at 1:49 pm
this is a great story (with great advice)…thank you for sharing