This week I am unemployed. I previously worked at a shelter for children who had been removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect. However, that was a part time job in which I could only 999 hours a year (roughly 20 hours a week). It was great when I was going through school and 20 hours a week was all I could handle with classes, internships and studying. So, I used all my 999 hours (even though I don’t roll until June) and said my goodbyes. I began applying for jobs in the Northeast United States back in January. I was hoping that by March 15th I would be on my to starting my new life, but I am not. It has been hard because I don’t live in the area, but saving up enough money to move on 20 hours a week is not an easy task.

 

A few weeks ago, I was getting scared. What would I do with no money? I had started this plan and now it was getting to the end I wasn’t where I wanted to be. On a whim, I applied for a local job working with kids in head start programs to de-escalate aggressive behavior problems. Last Thursday, I was offered the job! Earlier this week, I went and got all my pre-employment drug tests/TB tests etc out of the way and I start on the 28th. Not only do I get to use my degree, but I will have health benefits and I will be able to replenish my savings account (which I took a lot of money out of to pay off my $2200 last semester of grad school).

 

I am still going to apply for jobs in the Northeast, but now I can apply for the jobs I want, instead of anything that will get me a position. I will have therapy experience, which will give me that much more of a leg up. I will live my dream of moving away, it just might take a few more months to get everything positioned right. More importantly, this experience is teaching me to be patient and not to expect instant gratification.