So in typical actor fashion, I turned to temping as a means of paying the rent. I signed up with a local temp agency and waited until I got a phone call. My first assignment was working at a law firm named Gilbert, Morris, and Reinhardt*, and I was on catering duty. Since I had zero office skills, this was a suitable job for me. I would help set and clean up the meals for the contract workers every day. The woman who trained me was named Sally*, she was also a temp.She took a liking to me and confided in me her hopes and dreams. Sally wanted to get a good permanent full-time job and put an end to her career as a temp. She diligently studied math during her lunch breaks because she was trying to improve her skills. The law firm still had not offered her a job, even after the seven long months that she worked. I told her that she should re-test at with her temp company and have them send her out on a new and better assignment. I know it sounds cheesy, but I meant it when I told her that she’s intelligent and deserves to have a good paying job.

I think she took what I said to heart, because a day or so after our conversation, she left Gilbert, Morris, and Reinhardt. Down the road a couple of months later I heard that Sally got a great permanent full-time job doing what she loves. Did I help her make that decision to make a change for the better? Maybe. Sometimes people simply need a nudge in the right direction.

Here are some things that I expressed to Sally:

• · Just apply! You’ll never know if you don’t try. If there is something that you really want to do, get your resume together and send it out there. Talk to your temp agency, see if they can help move you in the right direction. Also, if you’re learning new skills, taking classes, etc. –put that on your resume! Let everyone know that you have more to offer now.

• · If you’ve worked for over 6 months and they still haven’t offered you a permanent job, it’s time to leave. That’s your cue to ask for a re-assignment.

• · You never know who will inspire you. Keep your ears open. I’m sure that Sally was surprised to hear such kernels of wisdom coming from a 25-yr-old who actually looks like a teenager, but hey, you can’t always pick your muse.

*denotes that name has been changed to protect the innocent