Saturday, January 10, 2009

The Impetus

Many of you have asked what my ultimate goal would be for going back to school, so I'll tell you. Darrell has a lot of responsibility on him right now and I thought if I went back to work, I could ease some of that burden. I decided if I got a job with the school system, I'd have good hours, good pay, and good benefits. So I went to their website and completed an application. They also wanted an intro letter and resume, along with transcripts and a typing test. I thought I had jumped through all the hoops, but after a couple of months with no call back, I contacted them and discovered they didn't have everything they needed. After making sure everything was completed and in their hands, I waited. And waited. A couple more months passed. Still no call. I went back to the website thinking I would resubmit my application to get it back in front of the powers that be.

Imagine my surprise when I found that a degree was now needed for this job. Oh, and what kind of job is it, you might ask. Working in the office of an elementary school. With no offense meant toward anyone, this is a glorified receptionist position. Answering phones, greeting visitors, etc. Why would you need a degree to do these things? I've always worked in office settings and felt secure that with my experience, I would be able to get a job anywhere. That bubble has been burst. Now I'm starting to worry that I won't be able to take care of myself should something happen to Darrell. Well, I guess I could always be a greeter at Walmart.

Thanks for all your suggestions. You succeeded in giving me the swift kick I couldn't give myself.

5 comments:

6L's said...

hey, sorry i didn't reply to yesterday's post! i too was not dissappointed. so, was it your bday or has this just been a long time comin? i was thinking the same as the others...do you want a degree or a time filler but now you have answered that. i'm also stunned that you'd have to have a degree for that job!!! what are your interests? ever thought of doing a trade school? people go to college and get degrees, spending it seems like a minimum of 20K and then they are lucky to make that same annual income, just seems crazy! typically a trade school costs less money and the trade makes more money....just another thought. wanna do hair? :):) btw, i think you are very brave to talk about this! loren is feeling the strain too...he turns 30 in april. he's gonna go skydiving, wanna go too???

Unknown said...

My mother taught me NOT to jump out of perfectly good airplanes. Thanks, anyway. That's one thing I'll never be brave enough to do!

elahave said...

Hi Beverly. I came upon your blog quite by accident. Hope I can give you some inspiration and maybe confidence. I returned to school after four kids and 23 years post high school. Was I scared? You bet! Was I confident I could do it? Nope! Did I feel awkward and out of place amongst 18 to 20-something-year-olds? Absolutely!

But......I forged my way through my doubts, fears and insecurities and did it anyway.

I cannot begin to tell you the feelings I had when I walked across that stage at graduation, with my parents, husband and kids cheering me on. No young person in that room could possibly have felt the overwhelming pride and sense of accomplishment that I felt when they placed that diploma in my hands.

Go for it girl. Keep your eye on your goal, make friends with those kids, have a good time, learn all you can, and feel what I felt when I DID IT!!!!

Tamara said...

Beverly- you are SUCH an amazing woman...I don't have to remind you of that, do I?!?!?!?!!! The decision is ultimately yours. If YOU want to go back to school, do it. You will be glad you did. And don't mind us youngsters out there...I always appreciated the "more experienced" few who sat right there w/ us trudging through just as I was. Look at my Dad for example...he is almost 60 and still quite a ways away from graduating!!! And he's loving the process of learning. Take a look at my mom...everyone tells her to go back to school, but let's face it...she can barely TYPE, so the school and technology part scares the life out of her. So, she'll probably never go, but she wonders what will happen to her if dad dies before she does. And I don't even want to think of that situation, either. SO...if YOU want to do it, then go. But you shouldn't go for anyone or any other reason. A degree is a degree, but the learning is invaluable and you'll never regret going IF that is something you really want to do!

Unknown said...

Elahave, I don't know who you are, but you were right on track. Thanks for saying the things you did and the encouragement. And congratulations on your accomplishment!

Tam, you are SO good for my self-esteem. I've got to keep you and Marlena around!!

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