Bitch About It, Joke About It, But Never Be Too Serious Group

by ukc9500 on Jun 18, 2008 at 6:07 am

Sounds like the decision has already been made, if working with the homeless makes you that happy what are you waiting for. Get out there and do it. The hours may be hard to get used to at first but if you enjoy it it will definately be worth it! People like that need people like you.My church took in a homeless man and he has become one of the most active members in the church. My boss gave him a job and now he has his own place. He is one of the most interesting people I know and to think that last year at this time he was all alone with nothing but the clothes on his back. Most of them just need a helping hand and a friend. So if you take that other job and make a difference in one persons life it would be soooo worth it! Keep us updated :0)

by MCas on Jun 18, 2008 at 6:27 am

I think that's great. My husband used to work 7pm to 7 am 3 nights a week when we first got married. He also worked 12 am to 8 am. I was difficult at first, but if you love what you are doing, it makes the transition so much easier. Good luck!

by Mand8301 on Jun 18, 2008 at 7:20 am

I used to work nights...7p to 7a or 11p to 7a....you can still function fine, especially if you love your job. You'll just get used to staying up later on a nightly basis and sleeping in later on your days off. At least you don't have to rotate back and forth between days and night work in the same week like I did...THAT will mess you up!
But I hope you really love the job, you deserve something that you enjoy!

by Aquemini on Jun 18, 2008 at 7:45 am

Lets just put it this way, 4 out of 5 people hate their jobs, think they're underpaid, overworked, and in a lot of cases not using any of their strengths. If you're going to make the commitment to another degree/educational path make sure its whats going to make you HAPPY. at the end of the day, no matter how hard the work, wouldnt it be nice to say "i'm truly conent with what im doing."

I think you should tell your bosses that you need some help. you cant handle the workload. cuz after all whats the worst they could do? fire you? you're already quitting. also, if you want to do the homeless shelter job, then go for it. again, be happy with what you're doing! if you arent happy at your other job it all trickles down. you're overworked, you're stressed, and you cant devote proper time to each of your patients/clients. that means your job quality is suffering and that will eventually start to show. you seem to genuinely care, infact i know you do because you have a good heart, so not being able to do your job properly would be letting down your clients and that alone i think would be upsetting. Either talk to your bosses about getting more help (maybe say that this will give you ample time to train someone to take your position for the future/relieve you of the stress) or just do the homeless shelter stuff.

my mom has her MSW and after a bunch of jobs that some she liked and some she didnt of course, she worked at the womens prison in our city and absolutely LOVED it. Right now at 52 years old shes going through to become a correctional officer so she can then advance within the prison, ultimately wanting to become a clinic social worker within the prison helping the inmates with mental issues. this is what she truly WANTS so even at 52 years old when she should be saving for retirement, shes working from the bottom up.
i guess my point in this HUGE rambling mess is that its never too late, and to be happy with what you're doing. :)

by Aquemini on Jun 18, 2008 at 7:48 am

p.s. (no more long rambling, i swear) my grandma got her degree at the age of 85 or 87 i dont remember, but in any case, THAT right there proves to me everyday that its NEVER too late to get what you REALLY want.

by lacey_harrison on Jun 18, 2008 at 8:02 am

I totally understand how you feel! I have a BA in Religious Studies and a BA in Art History. I have a great job, but I essentially sell transmissions to mining companies. I would have loved to stay in school and get a MA in Religious Studies- that is my true passion, but I had a baby my last year of school and my husband was tired of my schedule changes every term. So back to work I went.

Before I went to college at 25, I worked swing shift and loved it. And really, because that job is only 3 days a week you could potentially go to school and work there.

I think some times you have to make decisions that are right for you, regardless of how much you love your work. If you have a position that is emotionally draining on you, it affects you physicaly and at home as well. Eventually something is going to give.

The least you could do is apply for the job and see if you get an interview..then go and decide from there what is right after hearing more about it. No harm in applying!

by primjula on Jun 18, 2008 at 10:11 am

You can't be truly generous (e.g., to your clients) if you aren't generous to yourself as well (e.g., getting more help at your job). It sounds like you've given up on getting the help at your job, so then it's time to look at other options (like you are doing with school and night job). Do the costs outweigh the benefits? Make a list and see if they even out. If not, you might be staring at your answer(s).

by travisalta on Jun 18, 2008 at 5:12 pm

Thanks peeps, for listening.

At work today, I was salivating while thinking about having four days off. Ironically though, one of my clients today was telling me about a woman at another agency who left without saying anything and he was like, "She should've given at least a month's notice! You would never do that, would you? I'd miss you." lol... , it's like he had ESP. And you know, I *wouldn't* do that. I think if I pursue this new job I could volunteer where I work now on my days off. Then, I wouldn't be "abandoning" my clients and I'd also act as a much needed support person to whoever takes my job. If not, I'm just going to suck it up for another year and go back to school.

Anyways, thanks again, you guys rock.

by primjula on Jun 19, 2008 at 1:29 am

I had a boss do that to me. My friend quit after having fight after fight after fight with him (it was like a dysfunctional marriage). I was the only other one around, except for his rotating law partners who never stuck around for long. He called me into his office and flat out told me in desperation that I couldn't leave. I nodded yes nervously (what could I do? I was a naive 18-year old lackey clerk). However, I quit with 2-weeks notice within a couple of days because he made me THAT nervous.