“Glee”ful about the job search

Category: Opinion

Alex Jackson, event coordinator with Abel's on the Lake, and Lauren Phillips at the "Glee After Party."

The job search continues, but last Wednesday I took a break to attend Y Gen Out Loud’s “Glee After Party,” a fundraiser that doubled as a celebration of the hit series second season. And did I mention it was also a costume party where guests came as their favorite Glee characters or musicians who have been featured on the show?

Being a member of the Y Gen family, of course I dressed up.  And being unemployed in real life, I took this opportunity to come as someone who has a job.  Now, originally I wanted to be Sue Sylvester, the coach of the William McKinley High School cheerleading squad, and a ruthless bully to both students and faculty members alike. She may be one mean girl, but you’ve got to love her dedication to making Glee Club director Will Schuester’s life a living hell. And let’s be honest. Don’t we all know a Sue at work?

Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a tracksuit, Sue’s trademark attire, so I chose another character. This one I haven’t quite figured out yet, except that she is more vulnerable than she might appear at first glance. Coach Beiste, new to McKinley High, is the football coach. A woman coaching football, funny huh?  But she definitely looks like she can handle the job, and take down her entire team in the process if need be.

Coach Beiste may come across as a brute, but then we get a glimpse of her soft side, the side that wears lipstick (!), and our first impressions are turned upside down. When I find a new job (and it will happen), I’ll be the new girl, the one that everyone looks at and wonders what I’m all about, what makes me tick, and if I’ll make their lives pleasant or miserable.

Dressed in a t-shirt, gym shorts, tennis shoes and a whistle wrapped round my neck, I was ready to revel in the glory that is Glee.  I have to give a shout out to the folks who made the night so special, including special costume judges Michael Barnes, social columnist with the Austin American-Statesman, and Sara Osburn from the JB & Sandy Morning Show on MIX 94.7.  We also had incredible Glee swag courtesy of the Statesman and Glee publicists at FOX.  And of course, there was the location, Abel’s on the Lake, which overlooks Lake Austin. To show their dedication to the show, the staff even dressed as their favorite Glee characters!

In the end, while I realize Glee is just a TV show, it does give me hope in my (seemingly eternal) job search. I mean, if the adults on the show – Will, Sue, Emma, and Principal Figgins – can act as foolish as their students and retain their jobs in this economy, then there is a chance for me yet!

Tags: Gen Y, Glee, job search, Unemployment