I left the U.S. Attorney’s Office to take my mother home to Texas, as she said “…I want to go home to die…” this was two years ago.
I worked briefly with the Department of Labor in Dallas, as an administrative legal assistant. I absolutely disliked the commute, the building and the “work”…what a waste of my time. I suppose I should be thankful they afforded me the opportunity for a job and to continue my federal career, but it was just awful.
I returned to Washington to marry my husband, leaving my mother and son in Texas. I bear quite a bit of guilt about that, but one must live one’s own life. I applied for and was selected for the job I currently hold at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
I work for eight attorneys. I say work, but I mainly do the payroll, purchase a variety of office-related items and services, monitor a million and a half dollar budget, scan documents, organize files, make coffee, take care of the mail, etc. Compared to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the job is relatively stress-free and pleasant. I wonder how I survived with the USAO for almost 18 years, dealing with high-strung, sometimes mean and nasty prosecutors and equally hateful support staffers. I can’t see myself returning to such a toxic environment.
I have a one-hour commute each way, but I take a van pool and can sleep or cat-nap the entire way. So it isn’t so bad. I’ve been here almost a year, and still enjoy coming in each day and feeling comfortable with my surroundings.
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