GideonStuff

the other me might even be better than this one

Living the dream full time

June 24, 2024 — Gideon Mayhak

Previously...

When I first accepted a position with MBOA, I didn't know when I would feel comfortable leaving my job at Northwood Technical College. I loved the work I did there and the people with whom I worked. I enjoyed being a part of changing lives for the better.

Wait, was that past tense just then?


Unexpected but right on time

Sadly, I am no longer working at Northwood Tech. At least, not in the Academic Support Center. Some things transpired that made it clear my work was not being taken for what it was, and I was being judged on perceptions that did not agree with reality. This was not isolated to me; others received similar "performance improvement plans". It's just that mine was handed to me in a meeting the day before we had to do something similarly painful.

I felt that I didn't really have a future at the college anymore. That which brought me joy in my work was being taken away, and an ever increasing set of demands on already-overworked staff was on the horizon for my team and others. I had previously said to my director that if I were to leave I would leave in the month of May, sometime after the end of the academic year but before the summer. I didn't know it was gonna be this May.

It was clear to me from the beginning that the fine folks at MBOA were interested in having me on in a full-time capacity, and I approached them with the recent news from the college to see if that was still the case. Graciously, they agreed to bring me on as a full member of the co-operative. My last day at Northwood Tech was May 22nd, Sarah and I went on a trip to Virginia, and then I started my expanded role with MBOA on June 3rd. As a member of the co-operative, I am now effectively self-employed.

I can't quit you

I couldn't see myself completely vacating the college, especially considering Sarah still teaches there. I talked with the associate dean of Continuing Education about the possibility of doing some teaching in the fall. I will be teaching some courses in Microsoft Excel, carrying on some of the work I did at James Madison University.

Stay-at-home travelin' man

I am very excited to be working from home again after getting a taste of it back in 2020 and early 2021 for reasons. Being able to set my own hours to some extent, having the option of taking my work with me when we travel, and being able to sleep in and work late are all big perks. I will continue to cover weekend support, so there will be some weeks where I take a weekday off or work fewer hours on a couple days. With Sarah having a summer break from teaching, this means we can go places and do things during the week.

Speaking of which, another exciting part of my expanded role is travel! I will be traveling to some conferences along with other members of the team. Come see us at HOPE in New York and FOSSY in Portland!


"Were you called being a bondservant? Don't let that bother you, but if you get an opportunity to become free, use it."

1 Corinthians 7:21, WEB

Tags: about-me, meet-the-mayhaks