A Career of Working Relationships

“Bobbie” made a career of working for relationships.  She was raised in Texas, but she moved to the glitter town of Las Vegas, Nevada, in her teenage years. Blessed with a wide, vibrant smile, she made a lasting impression on everyone she met.  Realizing she possessed this precious asset, her search for a job was less laborious than for some of us, despite being a fresh graduate just out of high school.  She flashed that wide smile of hers while she worked as a Change Girl at the flashy Golden Goose casino in downtown, and as a waitress in the main restaurant of the Circus Circus hotel and casino on the famed Las Vegas Strip.  I came to know Bobbie when I was a teenager, too.  We watched soap operas together on those days when she didn't work. 

Special bonds with a community of coworkers, friends and family

Ah, the human drama of disparate lives played out on a TV screen, never failing to appear in the coziness of our den at the same time every weekday.  Whether it was Luke versus Laura or Erica against the world, Bobbie loved every melodramatic minute.  Just as there were powerful characters portrayed in our favorite soaps, Bobbie became an unforgettable character in real-life as she interacted with a community of coworkers, friends and family.  She had a way of establishing distinct relationships with people so that you felt a special bond with her.  Later, as both of our lives would interconnect and we made the transitions from housewives to office workers, from proud mothers to best friends, we realized that soap operas were often mirrors of our own private lives.  Bobbie amassed a sizable cast of friends and coworkers who praised her congenial virtues.  She was employed by the Clark County School District for over 20 years, worked as a registered lobbyist, an election official, and eventually retired from the Nevada State Education Association. 

Make a career out of life

In October 2009, Bobbie left us here on earth to join a new legion of heavenly friends.  Our relationship left me with a prime example of how to make a career out of life.  I will rely on memories of her love for hearty celebrations, especially on holidays, and her overall zest to overcome assorted obstacles and live for life.  I will use those memories for inspiration when I'm feeling low and you should remember, too, that sometimes life may seem like an endless job, but it's not; it's a lifelong career.

Categories: Networking, Job Search Help, Work Life Balance, Things You Need to Know