Yes, it's true. It's been ten years since I started this blog. So let's catch up. For one thing, I finished a BA in educational studies. It took me about a year and a half to finish my four and a half year program, although I did have one year of previous credits that I was able to draw from somewhat.
After that, I got a job as a service coordinator and worked that full-time job for a couple of years, then changed over to being a family assessment worker just part-time. Both were social work jobs, and involved extensive home visiting. Both required bilingual fluency. Both required complicated documentation.
Covid came along and made things a bit more difficult, unfortunately. In the same agency I worked at, I began a new position that was full time. Okay, I started my job at the agency precisely to have less hours work, and now I was going back full time? Well, they asked me to do it. I agreed to give it a try, but after about six months, I knew it wasn't a good fit. I loved the job, but hated the long hours.
Having just turned full retirement age, I was easily able to leave and still have enough money to eat and pay the rent, although I cannot say I have enough to buy a new computer.
Once again I'm looking around for a job, after about six months of Covid-time non-work. It's a little tougher this time. First of all it is harder, because I want a job that is only part-time, but is also doable mostly from home. In my area, there aren't a lot like that. Most of the professional work-from-home jobs are full-time. And I really only want to work maybe five more years. That means that I need to get a job that doesn't take long to learn, yet pays a decent wage. But the number one thing about the job is that I can be passionate about it. I don't work jobs I don't love. Period.
On the plus side, I am in good shape physically. I'm totally able to work. I admit that I don't have the energy I had when I was twenty, so I prefer to work part-time rather than full-time, so that I can still have time to enjoy life outside of work. I still have my thinking skills too. Most of my previous skills (I wrote earlier posts about, so I won't repeat them here) are just as good, and some better than before.
One of my favorite kinds of jobs is in the area of social work. I have lots of experience. The two jobs I mentioned were social work, and before that I was a missionary, which translates to Christian social work from some viewpoints. I do not have a degree in social work, however, so it becomes a bit difficult. That piece of paper is always getting in the way!
My penultimate position accepted me on the basis of experience plus a "relevant" degree--educational studies. The following job accepted me because they got such good recommendations from others in the field who had worked with me.
If everything was open, I could probably go around to visit some of the people I worked with from other agencies and companies and look for a job with one of them. But nothing is open, and it isn't as simple as making a few phone calls. There are so many people who know me to see me (and I, them) but wouldn't recognize me on the phone. I've met them at community resource fairs, and other activities.
For now, I'm at home.
