Barella
10-23-2006, 11:15 PM
Hello again,
I am rebounding :googly: on these boards for an update in my QLC. You may follow up with the background if you want: http://www.quarterlifecrisis.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19243&highlight=Barella
However, I will try spelling out the situation in its
"newness": A few months ago, I was looking to make a switch from office work to possibly, social services. I have taken the steps to do just that by taking a night class towards an associate degree in Developmental Services Worker (something like that: http://postgraduate.humber.ca/10401.htm) and started volunteering on a phone helpline for more leverage in my job search. I have had the luck of going on an interview to work in a shelter for mentally ill people but did not get the job although my CV might be considered again in a few months, dixit the interviewer.
My job search has been stalling for many months now, even for low-level office work. I have had weird interview and job training experiences in the field lately (could be a post in itself). I don't have a lot of motivation in pursuing that but even when I do, I have trouble finding a permanent and full-time position where they will not require everything and its contrary from me while offering little over minimum wage.
Now, to add more confusion to the whole issue, I hear my classmates in the Developmental Services diploma who already work in the field due to earlier experiences. It is a great field, very interesting but, from what I gather there are a lot of part-time jobs.
Many women in my class are older and can afford to have a part-time job for long periods because their husbands are well-employed and take up the slack. Others are young, just starting in adult life, have parents helping them out and no debt yet.
I am in neither group. I want to work in social services but am very ambivalent because of the possibility that I might pay for all these studies and yet, find only part-time work, on call, with difficult schedules to complement with another job.
It is true that the top jobs in the field would be more than rewarding for me. For example, if I get a job at a school, not only do I work with people but I get a very decent wage, good benefits and long vacations with the possibility of taking sabbaticals. However, before one gets there, she may have to do 20 hours a week for some time.
Also, where I live all my credits for this Associate diploma are non-transferable towards a university degree. This makes me think twice. The job I applied for at the shelter like many other jobs do not necessarily require a Developmental Services Diploma. You can be considered with a degree in Social Sciences and some experience, even volunteer.
To the risk that you may see me as a scatterbrain, I will confide that I am thinking of finishing my social services degree instead. That would require a bigger investment and some time to put money aside but maybe it's of a better value compared to the Associate Diploma.
If I can finish that degree, I am thinking I may have more options available. Not only would I have access to those community services jobs but with a master's degree I could go on to teach, do research or journalism.
The downside is that it is not applied studies like the D.S Diploma so I have to be ready to pursue studies possibly at the graduate level and really market myself as well as pursuing my volunteering activities. The D.S Diploma is definitely targeted towards specific positions so, no confusion there. Also, finishing my degree at the university level would require a year of putting money aside in order to go back. More waiting...
What do you think: should I finish the D.S Diploma (and possibly go to uni later on) or finish the Social Sciences degree as soon as I can?
I am rebounding :googly: on these boards for an update in my QLC. You may follow up with the background if you want: http://www.quarterlifecrisis.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19243&highlight=Barella
However, I will try spelling out the situation in its
"newness": A few months ago, I was looking to make a switch from office work to possibly, social services. I have taken the steps to do just that by taking a night class towards an associate degree in Developmental Services Worker (something like that: http://postgraduate.humber.ca/10401.htm) and started volunteering on a phone helpline for more leverage in my job search. I have had the luck of going on an interview to work in a shelter for mentally ill people but did not get the job although my CV might be considered again in a few months, dixit the interviewer.
My job search has been stalling for many months now, even for low-level office work. I have had weird interview and job training experiences in the field lately (could be a post in itself). I don't have a lot of motivation in pursuing that but even when I do, I have trouble finding a permanent and full-time position where they will not require everything and its contrary from me while offering little over minimum wage.
Now, to add more confusion to the whole issue, I hear my classmates in the Developmental Services diploma who already work in the field due to earlier experiences. It is a great field, very interesting but, from what I gather there are a lot of part-time jobs.
Many women in my class are older and can afford to have a part-time job for long periods because their husbands are well-employed and take up the slack. Others are young, just starting in adult life, have parents helping them out and no debt yet.
I am in neither group. I want to work in social services but am very ambivalent because of the possibility that I might pay for all these studies and yet, find only part-time work, on call, with difficult schedules to complement with another job.
It is true that the top jobs in the field would be more than rewarding for me. For example, if I get a job at a school, not only do I work with people but I get a very decent wage, good benefits and long vacations with the possibility of taking sabbaticals. However, before one gets there, she may have to do 20 hours a week for some time.
Also, where I live all my credits for this Associate diploma are non-transferable towards a university degree. This makes me think twice. The job I applied for at the shelter like many other jobs do not necessarily require a Developmental Services Diploma. You can be considered with a degree in Social Sciences and some experience, even volunteer.
To the risk that you may see me as a scatterbrain, I will confide that I am thinking of finishing my social services degree instead. That would require a bigger investment and some time to put money aside but maybe it's of a better value compared to the Associate Diploma.
If I can finish that degree, I am thinking I may have more options available. Not only would I have access to those community services jobs but with a master's degree I could go on to teach, do research or journalism.
The downside is that it is not applied studies like the D.S Diploma so I have to be ready to pursue studies possibly at the graduate level and really market myself as well as pursuing my volunteering activities. The D.S Diploma is definitely targeted towards specific positions so, no confusion there. Also, finishing my degree at the university level would require a year of putting money aside in order to go back. More waiting...
What do you think: should I finish the D.S Diploma (and possibly go to uni later on) or finish the Social Sciences degree as soon as I can?