one step back, two steps closer? part 2

In the end, however, she and I parted on the best terms possible. We share very similar perspectives and ideas - and frustrations - on how such a cultural institution typically operates. She wouldn't stop commending me on how beautifully I work with the museum visitors, that I was a model for my colleagues in that respect, and for my keen observations and ideas on how to better run our department - not so much complaining but giving constructive criticism while offering ideas and solutions -and my overall contributions to the institution.

In fact she asked me to put her on my reference list for future opportunities so that she may give me a glowing recommendation. In short she was very sad to lose me as I was the best she ever had in terms of her standards. It's just that I simply couldn't work with that kind of stinginess and neglect within the department - things that were ultimately out of her control because of the higher-ups and their ignorance of how things really worked on our level.

In the meanwhile one of the supervisors from the museum shop had approached me - would I be interested in a position there. It would be good, and I would be a shoe-in for it because I know the museum inside out. Besides, it pays more than what I was making. But as well, the director of my department recommended me to speak to the director of education about the possibility of becoming a gallery interpretor - working with the visitors on enlightening them on the natural sciences, giving guided tours, working with school kids, and other educational activities within the museum. Because of my excellence in working with people she said I'd be perfect for it. She wasn't the only one, some of the very staff working in the education department told me the same thing, that I had a valuable perspective on the importance of institutions like this to everyone, on enlightening people on the significance of the natural sciences, especially now that knowledge of our natural world is more than ever key to our necessary endeavor to preserve it.

I got yet more adventures on my horizon, then. Let's see what happens next.