Once I had Six Part-Time Jobs

Sometimes you need to create your own job or enhance the one you have when you’re not employed full time.  Once I had six part-time jobs, and a few yard sales on the weekends to make ends meet.  My main job was teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) at the local university, but it was difficult to gain full-time employment, as many institutions of higher learning utilize part-time instructors to teach the majority of their classes.

I know of many college instructors who have multiple jobs.  To supplement my job, I worked as a secretary at a law firm (Job #2) but the pay was low.  Then I got the idea to recruit ESL students for the university, thereby, creating a new class for me to teach.  I spoke with the ESL program coordinator about my recruitment idea and shared my background experience with marketing.  He agreed to let me recruit students for their satellite campus.

The satellite campus which is located in another city had never previously hosted ESL courses, so I prepared fliers, went to the main office to introduce myself, and ask permission to market the course.  Then I met with the city’s chamber of commerce and asked them for permission to post the flyers.  Since the city was experiencing an influx of non-English speaking immigrants, they recognized the need for the course.

The ESL program coordinator ran an advertisement in the city’s paper announcing the course and gave my name as the contact person.  The coordinator and I would meet and brainstorm on who we should contact, and I kept an Excel document of the contact information.  I also informed friends and family of my recruitment efforts and followed up on any leads they provided.  I even got bold and would approach construction sites around town when I saw immigrant workers.

My efforts landed me another ESL course to teach at the satellite campus; this time in the city where I actually lived!  It was such a joy to be able to walk to work after commuting across the bay to another town to teach at the main university.  My first class had six students (Job #3).  Since it was the initial ESL course at the satellite campus, my supervisor allowed the small number in hopes of building the program.

When that course ended, I had several ESL students sign up for another course but then dropped out.  I was left with four students which was not enough to pay for my salary basically.  I wanted to teach my recruits, so I offered to teach them from my home (Job #4).

A lot of little jobs added up to cover my living expenses.  I had befriended a couple who owned a jewelry store.  On every first Monday of the month, the town had an “Art Walk.”  My friends participated by highlighting an artist and his/her work.  Eventually, I ended up serving wine at these events (Job #5) but only worked there one day a month!

Another friend of mine worked at a restaurant with a bar that had just opened.  I talked to the owners about allowing me to teach Salsa dancing once a week in exchange for free food and drink.  (Actually, I found out later that the owner only thought I was getting a few drinks.)  I am not a big drinker, so the bartender would give me a hamburger, too.  It was my one night out in the week that I could afford.  I made some new friends and actually met my husband there!  That was Job #6 and great exercise, too.

I went about marketing the Salsa dance class the same way that I had marketed the ESL class which helped promote the new bar.  No one else in town was teaching Salsa dancing.  I had several students show up for the dance classes which made the owners happy.  The dance class was also within walking distance from my home, so I was in great physical shape.  I wanted to share this story with you so that you can be inspired to go for what you want.  Think about how you can enhance your current job or use your talents to start something new!

Last night after I had posted this blog, I thought about how I only mentioned the triumphs in securing additional work.  It behooves me to mention the trials without error.  During this time, I also attempted to:

• start my own dog walking business but only ended up volunteering at the local shelter to walk dogs.
• apply for many full-time jobs but wasn’t hired.
• pass a Spanish legal exam to become a Spanish language court interpreter but didn’t pass.  (The test cost me $150 but at the very least, I improved my Spanish by studying for the exam.)
• translate commercials into Spanish for a radio station but it was a scam that cost me $300!

Now you have the whole story, but let’s focus on the positive.  Part of putting yourself out there can be risky; however, it also serves as a learning experience that may result in a job.  This is part of the American spirit of entrepreneurship.

–Sandra Rogers

sandra@brokebutnotforlong.org

This entry was posted on December 3, 2009 at 03:19 and is filed under Job Hunt. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.

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