Trina was cleaning up after doing an ultrasound on a cat when Kylie entered the examination room. She had started combing through supplies for the next appointment when Kylie asked her if she had time to talk.
Trina had plenty. Twenty minutes, to be exact.
Trina asked the other to take a seat, wondering what she wanted to talk about.
Kylie gestured for her to take a seat as well before asking, "Trina, you were serious about getting another job, right?"
Trina nodded her head and grimaced. "I am still waiting on a vacancy at some other clinics. But I think I need to look more seriously. Did you find out about the assistant position?" she asked.
She had been wondering about that offer since this morning, but because Kylie didn't bring it up, she didn't mention it either. She was bright and hardworking. She had experience with research and working for nonprofit animal organizations. So, it might have been a good reference point for that job. The more she thought about it, the better of an opportunity it seemed. And she needed a job that she could do on the side after reducing hours at the clinic.
Trina smiled. "I think the assistant position would be perfect for you," she commented.
"Really?" Trina asked, her mouth breaking out into a grin. "What are the details?"
Trina sat back in her seat, relaxed, and said, "So, the Wilderness Protection Trust is a large contributor to wildlife conservation organizations and vet clinics throughout the clinic. They take the protection of large carnivores and endangered species very seriously and have been providing funding and resources to make it happen in the long run. They have always been generous and in return, the government has organized assistants for them at their workspace. My friend was hired privately and was only working for a year before she returned to studying."
Trina thought about what she was saying. She did know of the organization but she had never worked with a clinic that was in contact with it.
"I know you have never considered being an assistant and aren't sure what is involved, but I know you are desperate and are willing to consider anything at this point." Kylie gave a small smile.
"I have heard of them, but they are involved in a lot of philanthropic work around the country. What work, specifically, would I need to do?" she asked, trying to think of the programs this trust funded.
"Yeah," she replied. "While, Mr. Wright, the founder, is involved in supporting the preservation of wildlife, he also takes a keen interest in passion projects. His prior assistants have been people with knowledge of animal medicine or researchers in the field. You are very organized, pay close attention to details and you're the most perfect employee when it comes to finishing your duties," she said. "Mr. Wright has very high standards and requests only the best when it comes to going over reports about the animals. I know you had a hidden love for research and it's only for a year. My friend really thought you would be a great candidate after I told her about you."
Trina felt the heat run up her cheeks. "Wow. Thank you. What do I need to do? Should I send in my resume or fill out some type of application?" Trina asked, seriously flattered.
"I will just call and make the arrangements with my friend. Trina, I think this could be a great stepping stone in your career. It will be an excellent referral for future positions, don't you think?"
Trina felt like her luck was running high as Kylie called her friend and secured her an interview for a couple of days later.
That night, when she returned home, she did what every person who was going to be interviewed for a new job did. She searched the Trust and the people behind it. She was entering the information when her mother called her on the phone.
She picked it up immediately and pulled it to her ears. "I have got great news!" she chirped into the phone before her mother could say anything.
"What kind of news?" her mother asked, intrigue marring her tone.
"Kylie found me a part-time job to do alongside clinic hours," she squealed a little because after reading the job profile, she was honestly excited about the opportunity.
"Wow. That is really great. Tell me about it," she said excitedly.
Her mom was the only one she hated to part from. Not even the sushi restaurant in her locality was worth missing to Trina, but her larger-than-life mother was definitely someone she shed tears over while she was packing her bags to attend college.
It was her mother's plan to uproot the family from the city and take her father to the farmlands of her ancestors. She was the one who did the majority of the work on the farm because it was her passion. Her father was mostly there as eye candy.
"It's the Wilderness Protection Trust and apparently their founder Mr. Wright needs a personal assistant with medical knowledge. It's a year's opportunity and I think it is a great stepping stone for me," Trina explained.
She heard the silence on the other side. "You read through the description, right? A personal assistant isn't what you studied for, did you?" she asked slowly.
"I had my apprehensions in the beginning, as well. But it involves going to different clinics to get information on emergency cases of wild animals being brought to them, conservation optimization planning, and a plethora of other stuff I found within the bounds of my field," she said.
"As long as you are sure. I don't want you hyping yourself up because you feel strained at work and jump into something that will make you unhappy in the future." Indeed, Trina avoided being uncomfortable at all costs. It did sound like her to jump at an opportunity that would pull her away from her current source of stress. But she really was looking forward to the interview.