Networking makes me feel like a slimebug...

I hate asking for help. I hate asking for money (the 'rents may choose to disagree, but I really do dislike it). I hate the "its who you know, not what you know concept." Networking makes me feel like a slimebug...ick.

Graduation is three (1, 2, 3) weeks away and I am still looking for a job. Thomas is still looking for a job. Other classmates are still looking for jobs. So as we get closer and closer to getting kicked off the payroll, we're turning to each other and parents with connections. We're emailing old bosses or have our mom's talk to their bosses to pull an application here and contact someone there and although, clearly, this is how the world works, I just don't like it. It feels fake. It feels like contacting someone just because you need or want something from them. I don't know that I'm going to be very good at this in life.

Speaking of jobs and interviews and the like... over the last two weeks I have had a phone interview and met the owner of an independent nuclear pharmacy company in the Carolinas. He is opening up a brand new nuclear lab and compounding facility near the Winston-Salem/Greensboro NC area. I toured the facility and its all new and shiney! I'm really excited about it. They have another candidate to interview early this coming week, but should be making a decision soon. Finger crossed, I might have a job by the end of the week!

I've realized that I haven't told you much about this month still. Last week I worked a CRAZY schedule. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday I went in at 0300 in the morning and worked until all the doses were out. Then on Wednesday I went to meet the nuclear guy. Thursday I worked in the morning before going home to nap and go back in at 2100 (9pm) and work overnight. Overnight I learned (or relearned in some cases) how to set up the box for the chemistry to make the FDG, how to validate/calibrate all of the instruments for the day (dose calibrators and the QC equipement), and wrapped doses, prepped transport boxes and the hot cell for the days work. Surprisingly, the night went by rather quickly. I've had a really good month at PETNET and I think the people I've worked with have taught me things I will use in the future. I hope to stay in touch with them and maybe one day I can use them as networking contacts and feel slimey all over again!