Tomorrow is my last day at a job that I've worked for nearly four years. I worked at the State Capitol for the Missouri State Museum, which is a State Historic Site, and therefore a part of Missouri State Parks. Outside of work, it was without a doubt in my mind, the most up and down four years that I have ever went through in my life. The job itself, however, well, there is not a better job I could've asked to work during that period.
I started just working weekends while I was in school, and then, as things turned south in that realm, I was able to work more steadily there. It could at times be a very rewarding job, but other days, it could be incredibly boring. I built a lot of relationships and made a lot of connections that I hope will stay with me for a long time.
My duties started out as just a simple tour guide, giving tours of the Capitol to whoever desired one. Sometimes the tours were awful, if I had an un-interested group. When a group was interested, the conversation and content of the tour could be taken to a new level. Sometimes, they were difficult to give, like when I gave one to a group of students from Iceland. The communication barrier was tough, but I made myself speak slower and listen closer and made it through. The longer my tenure extended, I was able to enjoy a wider amount of tasks. This could include anything from helping with research for exhibits or up coming programs, to actually helping to give the program, or, finally give one on my own. On a few occasions I was even able to use my musical abilities as a part of the job, which always turned out to be extremely fun.
Without fail, the legislative session provided a chance to meet all sorts of people. It was far and away the busiest and loudest time of the year, but it always kept me on my toes. Of course, being a guy, I was always drawn to the female interns who would flood the building from January until May. Talking everyday with Senators, representatives, lobbyists, folks coming in to try and talk to the rep for their district, and even every now and then, getting to hear the Governor (be it Gov. Blunt or Gov. Nixon) speak at rallies and events inside and outside the building made each day always interesting.
Of course, what pushed the months of the Session over the top, were the 4th graders that poured into the capitol on a daily basis in March, April and May. We would be busy giving groups tours that went out every 20 minutes all day long, and lasted an hour each time. I personally loved getting to talk to the kids. I tried, and think, on most accounts at least, succeeded in making the story of Missouri's history interesting and fun. If I could make them laugh and learn something at the same time, then I had done my job. Thousands of students come into the building during the week during those months, and it's our job to make sure we do our jobs right, teach them something and compliment the Missouri history unit that's required for each 4th grade class in the state.
While I truly enjoyed each group of school kids, be it the 4th graders, or middle schoolers (with whom I would banter constantly) or the occasional High School group (again, banter, to keep it interesting), I was most in my element talking to, giving a program to, or giving a tour to the college students and history buffs who come in with a deep interest in learning or learning more about Missouri and or Jefferson City and the Capitol. With these groups, I felt I could be more detailed and use my ever growing knowledge and love of history to make their trip seem worthwhile. I loved the conversation that would most of the time ensue at the end of a tour or program, when someone would want to know a little more about a topic I had already touched on. I'm a very proud Missourian and Jefferson Citian, and I hope I never let a time slip away when I could've have showed someone just how interesting and wonderful both of those places are.
Looking back on it all, the most rewarding part of the job, though, was not the low-stress level, the multiple times of discussing history and teaching students and the public, or even the wide range of people I got to meet. Those were all fantastic things, don't get me wrong, but at the end of the day, it was the relationship I formed with my co-workers. The Museum staff is a pretty tight bunch of people, and it takes a little bit to get used to everyone and their quirks, but I've never worked for and with a more enjoyable group of people. I've formed some tight bonds with them that I hope will continue, even as I leave for "greener" pastures. I loved the laid back atmosphere and the wide range of topics we'd all discuss during the day from sports to music to movies to everything. The people there always made the job fun. While I doubt any of them will ever see this post, I still can't express enough how wonderful everyone was during my time there. There are a lot of hilarious tales I could tell of the antics that went on during the work day, but I won't get into those. What I do know, is that my time at the Museum was fantastic, and among the only steady things I had in my life the last four years. I gained valuable experience and many friendships, and it is kind of sad leaving. But, hey. I'm only gonna be working two blocks away, so I'm sure to run into folks downtown over lunch and what not.
So there you have it. Just a few of the emotions running through my head before my last day of work in the morning. Not everyone is lucky enough to work in what the USA Today calls the "3rd most beautiful capitol building in the country." I've been blessed to work there with great people the last four years, but it's time to move on, to what hopefully will turn out to be bigger and better things. I will always remember fondly though, my time working with the wonderful people at the Missouri State Museum in the Capitol.
