I actually interviewed for a job at Starbucks today. I did it. I walked in there and held my head high and pretended like I wanted to make coffee for minimum wage. I had the sinking feeling that this girl was on to me; as if she knew I didn't want to be there as well.
Now for those of you who may take me to task for being "too good" to work at a Starbucks, go ahead. In actuality, I don't think I'm "too good" to work at Starbucks, but Jesus Christ, I haven't had a minimum wage job since I was in college. That was 15 years ago!
I was gobsmacked. How did I get here? I asked myself over and over as Tiffany (not her real name) droned endlessly about the fabulous career opportunities available to me at Starbucks. For some strange reason, I felt dirty, as if I was taking part in some sort of forced homogenization of America. Even if I was just interviewing.
How did I get here? I keep asking myself. In a way it's actually Clinton's fault. I made so much money in the 90's that I could entertain the thought of going back to school for an Art degree. Which I did. Art and design are my first loves, and it's great to find something you're good at.
I was smack dab in the middle of my two-year program when 9/11 happened. My campus experience of that day will be an eventual diary. Anyway, the economy goes in the tank. Everything is on sale (I worked in retail at this period), it was a bizzare time to be sure.
Then I land my first real job in an Agency. I had to settle for being a Project Manager, with the understanding that I would slide into a design position when one became available. Well, the Agency lost a big account to a firm that has designers in China. (Go figure), and I got laid off.
I've been doing contract and freelance stuff and barely paying the bills for almost two years. This is getting old. So long story short, times is tough in the art biz.
I don't feel like I am better than Starbucks. I just wanted to have the choice as to whether or not I wanted to work there. I worked hard, have two college degrees, both with honors.
Am I missing something?