Flying Solo

I just realised it's been three weeks since my last blog. How very remiss of me.

My main excuse is that for the past three weeks I have been training to be a coordinator of the guest services ilk. I have been working for just over a month now, and today was my first day out of training. There sure is a lot to learn.

My first week of training involved being sat in a room for 8 hours of the day going through the standard operating procedures, which needless to say was not my wildest week ever. Week 2 was computer systems training, so physically learning how to do all the bits and bobs I need to know how to do. That was a lot of information to take in in one go, but brought back a lot of memories of 5 years ago when I was a "vacation planner" (read: ticket salesperson) for the Mouse. When and when not to void, rules for upgrading a ticket, and why you should never ever mistender a voucher. Beheadings will follow.

Week 3 - last week - we were put on the frontline with actual guests, putting into practice what we had learned and trying to interact with somewhat stressed out tourists AT THE SAME TIME!! With a practical and written final at the end of the week (really! I had to do an exam!). I needed to get 95% to pass, so the pressure was on a bit. I was slightly concerned about how I would handle going back to a customer service position, but as it turned out it was like I never left. With the exception of a couple of difficult situations, I really enjoyed it.

I still miss my old job. My friend Ed, who is still there, thinks I'm bonkers, but when you take a 60% pay cut and have to wear polyester to work every day in 35-degree heat (95F for the American-minded), your nice little office job with no clocking in or out, Diet Coke Corner and the ability to choose what to wear every day seems very appealing indeed.

But it's not like I didn't appreciate my job. I did moan about it occasionally, but I knew full well what I had. And although I knew what I was giving up, I don't think I realised it would be quite this hard.

Anyway, final was passed (98.5%, thanks very much!) and today was my first day by myself. A bit nervewracking, but I survived, and made it a whole 7 hours without anyone screaming at me. Needed a bit of help here and there, but everyone at work is very nice and will give you a hand if you're stuck. Just trying to apply what I've learned over the past two years and be better at my job because of it. I did get in a bit of a stress on Friday when I made a few mistakes, but sucked it up and pulled it together.

Now it's just time to see how good an impression I can make!