(no subject)
Aug. 3rd, 2004 05:39 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
judecorpI'm so frustrated right now I could cry.
When I was offered the Early Intervention job, I was stuck in the dilemma of whether to take the job when I knew it wasn't a job I wanted, or try to find temp work so I could continue to interview for other positions, including the Dream Job. I was heavily encouraged to take the full-time job because it was more lucrative and more stable, and I felt obligated to do so since we are in dire financial circumstances.
Today I got called for an interview with Youth on Fire, a drop-in center for homeless and street youth. It was a job that was strongly recommended to me by![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
being_homeless and I was quite excited about it. When I didn't hear anything from them, I pushed it out of my mind. But I just spoke to someone there who wanted me to come in for an interview, and she offered me three different interview times next Tuesday.
I can't make any of them because of my job. I have home visits and assessments all through those times, and I can't just call families and cancel their appointments because I want a new job - it's not right or ethical to do that. Unfortunately, because I was handed about 15 new cases on my first day, all of whom need to have assessments done (they take 2 hours each and require 3 staff members), my schedule is totally blocked up with assessment after assessment after assessment that all need to be done ASAP. And once I find 2 other staff members and lock them into a block of time, it's impossible to reschedule because people's schedules are so busy.
So my worst job fears are coming true. I was offered a chance to interview for a really good, challenging job with a really progressive and amazing organization, and I had to decline because I was unable to meet with them. I didn't want to take this EI job because the very last thing I want is to be locked into this kind of work that I'm not interested in, and now it looks like that is exactly what is going to happen.
The whole situation makes me want to throw up.
When I was offered the Early Intervention job, I was stuck in the dilemma of whether to take the job when I knew it wasn't a job I wanted, or try to find temp work so I could continue to interview for other positions, including the Dream Job. I was heavily encouraged to take the full-time job because it was more lucrative and more stable, and I felt obligated to do so since we are in dire financial circumstances.
Today I got called for an interview with Youth on Fire, a drop-in center for homeless and street youth. It was a job that was strongly recommended to me by
being_homeless and I was quite excited about it. When I didn't hear anything from them, I pushed it out of my mind. But I just spoke to someone there who wanted me to come in for an interview, and she offered me three different interview times next Tuesday.I can't make any of them because of my job. I have home visits and assessments all through those times, and I can't just call families and cancel their appointments because I want a new job - it's not right or ethical to do that. Unfortunately, because I was handed about 15 new cases on my first day, all of whom need to have assessments done (they take 2 hours each and require 3 staff members), my schedule is totally blocked up with assessment after assessment after assessment that all need to be done ASAP. And once I find 2 other staff members and lock them into a block of time, it's impossible to reschedule because people's schedules are so busy.
So my worst job fears are coming true. I was offered a chance to interview for a really good, challenging job with a really progressive and amazing organization, and I had to decline because I was unable to meet with them. I didn't want to take this EI job because the very last thing I want is to be locked into this kind of work that I'm not interested in, and now it looks like that is exactly what is going to happen.
The whole situation makes me want to throw up.
no subject
Date: 2004-08-03 10:22 pm (UTC)Random, anonymous, unrequested advice over and out.
no subject
Date: 2004-08-03 10:45 pm (UTC)You're right - my job definitely expects and is prepared for people to be sick or have emergencies come up. That's life and it happens.
The problem is that when I schedule all of these assessments, I have to bring 2 other people with me - and one of them has to be one of the 8 "experienced" people at my job. At any given time since I begun my employment, at least 2 of the "experienced" people have been on vacation at a time. (It's summer time, people are on vacation a lot.) So basically, in order to schedule an assessment I have to: 1) call the family and find out their availability, 2) make sure I am available at those times, 3) find an "experienced" person who is available at one of those times, 4) call the family and confirm, and 5) find a third person. This actually takes a lot more time and aggravation than one might think, because "experienced" people also have full caseloads and therefore don't have a lot of flexible time.
At this point, I don't think it's right to screw over clients and other staff members because I want to chase a rainbow.
no subject
Date: 2004-08-03 11:00 pm (UTC)Your responsibility is understandable and admirable, but it's not like you're bailing on experienced people and clients to go blow your paycheck at Bloomies or have a nooner. Your intentions to find a job which you love but still get to help people is about as pure as they come. That doesn't sound like a rainbow to me, it sounds like sanity. I hope your coworkers are as good to you as you are to them. You sound like an awesome colleague.
Best of luck with the dilemma.
no subject
Date: 2004-08-04 01:08 am (UTC)While it's true that bailing on clients for a job interview is better than bailing on clients to suck down a few cold ones, neither is an ethical course of action. After all, it's not the client's fault that I want a new job... and in the end, since I accepted the Early Intervention job I have a responsibility to the people for whose care I have been entrusted.
no subject
Date: 2004-08-03 11:04 pm (UTC)I was in that boat when KPMG called me and wanted to set up an interview. I was at a client site the day they called, so it was awkward to get the interview lined up. Then, I had another trip coming up (3 days at a client), so I had to push the interview back after that.
I got the job anyway, though. So I guess, even though it seems rough now, if fate means you to have the job, the interview will get rescheduled.
no subject
Date: 2004-08-04 01:04 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-08-04 07:01 pm (UTC)So go after the dream job... otherwise you will be kicking yourself. and remember ..things always happen for a reason !
and just a FYI. as a parent I thank god for Early intervention every day !! I think the people who work there are wanderful and sooooo great with kids ! it is such a wonderful program !!!
hope you do not mind me posting !
no subject
Date: 2004-08-05 12:52 am (UTC)I am definitely aware that parents have things that come up! (In fact, I was supposed to work until 8 tonight but I ended up home by 6:15 because we got to a home and the parent was not available. Oops!) I guess I just have that guilt around being 'the new person' and I don't want to tick people off. Not yet. Later I will tick them off enough, I'm sure!
Early Intervention is a fantastic program! I agree! I think the people I work with are smart and great and the job is very valuable and rewarding (and the kids are soooo cute). It's just not what I really want to do with my career, you know? But I decided today that I need to come up with ways to love my job - because it just might be my job for the long haul.
Thanks for everything - post anytime!