Tag Archives: Job

“Throwing You To The Wolves”

Posted on by Gertie

Happy Saturday. As, I told you in my last post on Sunday, I had gotten the job as a Peer Specialist and that I was turning in my resignation letter. Well, I did turned in my resignation letter on Monday stating my last day as a Consumer Aide would be on March 22, 2016 or so I thought.

When I went on my lunch break on Monday, I had no idea that my supervisor and new supervisor had been talking most of the morning. As I got back from lunch I noticed that my new supervisor had shown up. My supervisor and new supervisor said that they needed to speak to me. I of course was thinking the worst. Boy was I wrong with my thinking the worst. I was informed by both supervisors that I would be starting March 21st and not March 28th like expected. My new supervisor basically informed that he and the main Peer Specialist in charge will be out of state at a conference and that they will be short staffed even with me being present. He then told me “I will be throwing you to the wolves and know you will be able to handle it.”  My supervisor apparently saw that I was surprised and she told “I know this is happening quite fast and everyone agrees that you are ready. You’ve been ready for quite some time. You know you’re overqualified for the Consumer Aide position. You will be greatly missed here because you are a value to the team here and I know you will be of value at the drop-in.” I took a nice good breath and said, “Yes, it is quite fast but I will do what is needed.” With that the meeting ended and I went back to work.

As much as I am thrilled that I am starting a week earlier than expected, I was concerned how my client take me leaving so soon. Surprisingly enough all of them were fine with it and happy that I got the promotion. I was fearful that with me leaving so quickly that it would cause my clients to have anxiety.

Apparently, it is causing me more anxiety starting so soon than it is to my clients with me leaving so quickly. I am dealing with anxiety with the skills I have learned throughout the years. Most of them being Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills. If it wasn’t for my recovery I wouldn’t be having the anxiety over the promotion. I am happy to have the skills I have learned throughout my years of recovery.

Well, I need end this post for the moment. I have a busy Saturday ahead of me. Have a wonderful weekend.  Peace out!!!

New Job & The Anxiety Of The Unknown

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, everyone!! Its been a couple of weeks since I last blogged. A great deal has happened in the last two weeks.

As I mentioned in my last two post I had an interview for a full time job as a Peer Specialist position at my current employer. I ended up having a second interview this past Wednesday (March 9th). The second interview went better than the first interview despite having more interviewers than the first one.

Apparently, both interviews went so well that I was offered the job this past Friday (March 11th). I of course accepted the position. In fact I am surprised as hell that I got the job in less than three weeks since today marks three weeks since I applied for the job.

I have a great deal of anxiety when it comes to this job. I will be working full time verses part time. I have been in the work force for nearly eleven years now but I have only worked part time the entire time. I also know that I will loose what little disability benefits I am still able to get. This makes me anxious because I fear the possibility of my mental illness acting up. I am also anxious about loosing the mental health services I get at the agency I seek treatment at. I finally have a therapist that I work well with and have had her for seven and a half years now. I know I’m anxious and fearful of the what is unknown at the moment because I need to seek clarification from my new supervisor as well as my therapist. I will be able to email and possibly talk with my new supervisor tomorrow and I see my therapist on Wednesday. Its just a matter of getting my questions answered from my new supervisor. One of those questions is when my first day will be. I’m not sure if it will be the 23rd or the 28th.

I may be anxious of the unknown but I know my therapist will make sure I will be able to seek service’s somewhere because she is just as invested in my recovery process as I am. If it wasn’t for the work Diana (my therapist) and I have done with my recovery I wouldn’t have been able to get my current position as a Consumer Aide much less my new position as a Peer Specialist. Who knew with all the work I’ve done in my recovery with Diana’s help that I would be able to work full time. I know Diana will make sure I will still be able to continue getting the help I need to be able to stay in recovery.

My recovery means the world to me. If it wasn’t for me being in recovery I wouldn’t have been able to get the job as a Peer Specialist with my current employer. I am looking forward to being able to work full time even with the anxiety that goes along with it. Recovery is possible. It looks differently for everyone but this is what my recovery looks like.

Sadly, I will be turning in my resignation letter to my current supervisor tomorrow. I will miss working with the clients I currently work with but know that I will see them from time to time since I will be still employed at the same agency I am working at now. In fact my new position as Peer Specialist is a promotion from my current position as a Consumer Aide.

I should call it an evening. I need to fix some dinner for myself and Junior. Junior is quite proud of me. I think I might even be proud of myself. Well, have a great Sunday evening everyone. I hope to keep you updated as time goes on. I also know that the anxiety will go down as will. Again, have a wonderful Sunday evening and Peace Out!!

 

Happy Leap Day

Posted on by Gertie

Happy Leap Day!!! Today is February 29th and as you all know it only comes once every four years. Leap year falls the year when both the Summer Olympics and the United States Presidential elections happen. Just some random crap I thought I would share with you all.

I am full of random crap in my head. I just never thought the random crap would be helpful in a job interview. I mentioned to you all in my previous post that I had an interview last Thursday (February 25, 2016) for a peer specialist position at my current employer. Anyway, I got “bonus points” for knowing something the other interviewee’s did not mention. I was asked about my knowledge or experience of what an RSN is? My response what it’s the Regional Support Network which is going to be changing to a BHO or Behavioral Health Organization on April 1st. It boggles my mind that someone who is in recovery and applying for a peer specialist job doesn’t know this information. I just figured in was just some random crap I store in my head of mine that wouldn’t necessarily need to be used for anything. Boy, was I wrong.

I am looking forward to work today. I do have to leave work an hour to go to an appointment to see my Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (ARNP). As much as I enjoy my job and don’t want to leave early, I also realize that I need to see my Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner so  I can maintain and continue on my recovery. My recovery means the world to me and if I don’t continue with it then I wont be able to help my current clients as well as future clients I will serve.

Speaking of clients, I need to get going so I can get ready for work. I hope you all have a wonderful day. In fact I hope everyone has a wonderful work week. Happy Leap Day and Peace Out!!!

Elusive as of Lately

Posted on by Gertie

It’s been a while since I last blogged and it’s obvious that I’ve been elusive as of lately. I’ve been elusive for various reasons.

If you are a regular reader of my blog you know that my depression has been rearing its ugly head due to the two miscarriages I have. One back in November of 2013 and the other back in January of 2015. It hasn’t been the easiest of times for me and unfortunately, I didn’t complete the Writing 201 course that I signed up for and was looking forward to doing it. Loss of a child is one of the toughest if not the toughest thing a person can go through.

Talking through the pain of loosing two sets of twins with my therapist, Diana, has not been easiest things to do. While discussing the miscarriages with Diana , she realized how close I was to actually attempting suicide and how I lost all hope as well as loosing all the goals I had set for myself. Diana being quite concerned considered putting me back in the hospital but realized that if she did it wouldn’t be helpful to me or my recovery. That’s when thought to ask the question many people dread, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” My response was “I can’t even focus on the next five minutes much less the next five years.” Diana response was, “I know its difficult to look beyond the next five minutes much less the next five years. I would like for us to focus on your goals because it appears to from my end that you have lost sight of your goals. Goals that mean a great deal to you.” There was no point in arguing this point with Diana due to the fact that it was spot on and completely true. Not only that it’s difficult to argue with someone who is just as stubborn as you are and you know that the person is right on with what they said. With all that being said leads to the other reason why I have been so elusive.

What Diana had said to me had me thinking hard. Hard about my future and where I want my life to be. It still might be difficult for me see where I will be in five years but it did get me to refocus. It got me to focus on my career. A career as a Peer Specialist. If you been reading my blog for a while you know that I am currently employed as a Consumer Aide at a mental health agency. You also know that I got the job to gain “paid experience” to be able to get a job as a peer specialist. Well, I’ve been a Consumer Aide, a week shy of a year and a half and decided that I will start looking a Peer Specialist positions. In fact a week and half ago, a Peer position came available with a clinical team at the agency I work for. I applied for it and ended up interviewing for it this past Thursday (February 25, 2016). I personally  don’t think the interview went all that well and wont find out if I got the job or not for two or three weeks. Which actually means about four to six weeks because the hiring process is so slow at the agency I work for. I am looking at applying to more peer position within the agency I work for as well as outside the agency.

I am hoping that I will be more diligent and less elusive when in comes to my blogging. I really doing enjoy blogging. Not only do I enjoy the writing part of blogging but reading other peoples blogs.

As, I end this particular post, I want wish you a good rest of your weekend. Please go out and enjoy the world or attempt to enjoy the world to the best of your ability. Have a good Sunday and Peace Out!!!

Brief Check-In Before Work

Posted on by Gertie

I just wanted to do a brief check in before work. No particular reason why. I enjoy going to work. In fact I look forward going to work. Many people out there in the world don’t like their jobs. I love my job and what I do.

As much as I love my job, I wish I could be asleep at the moment. I didn’t get much sleep last night due a handful of nightmares. Of course nightmares are par for the course for me. Junior, of course was helpful after the nightmares. He doesn’t have to get up for work today so he is asleep, drooling like a baby.

I should end this post for now. I need to finish getting ready for work. Have a wonderful day everyone. Peace Out!!!

Daily Prompt: These Horns Were Made for Tooting

Posted on by Gertie

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “These Horns Were Made for Tooting.” Today, share something you love about yourself  — don’t be shy, be confident! — but that few other people know about you or get to see very often.

I realize people don’t like braggers but I want to brag about something here. Something that I am proud of. Last Tuesday, I got my annual review at work. My boss gave me a glowing review. Not only did I get a glowing review from my current supervisor for my annual review but my previous supervisor gave me a glowing review at the end of my probationary period. The review I received only reinforces the idea I a made the right decision in changing careers.

A career that I am meant to be in. I love the career I am in. Not because I got glowing reviews but I love going to work. I love what I do and enjoy what I do. I love being an example of what recovery looks like. Yes, I have struggled a little bit since being in my position but I was able to pick myself up and wipe myself off and share how I was able to get through what I needed to.

Knowing what to share when with whom is a big part of my job. Being able to keep healthy boundaries is key to any relationship especially when it comes to working with people who have a mental illness. Boundaries are not easy but if you stick to them the clients will respect you more. Keeping my boundaries and having the respect of the clients is one of the many reasons why I got such a glowing review.

I think I have done enough bragging for one day. Have a wonderful day. Try to take that time to enjoy a moment to yourself and Peace Out!!

Writing 101: Finding Your Inspiration; Day Twenty: The Future

Posted on by Gertie

Today is the last day of Writing 101: Finding Your Inspiration. I am a wee bit sad that it is the last day. I have learned a great deal from this course. One of the many things I have learned from this course is the many ways I am able to find inspiration to write, weather it is for my blog or personal writings.

Speaking of writing, todays assignment is to write about the future. We were given many different prompts to choose from to write about the future. I am choosing to not pick one of those prompts to discuss the future. I have chosen my own topic to discuss in regards to the future. I have chosen to discuss about my career and its future.

As many of you know I work in the mental health field as a Consumer Aide. I have had this position for the last year. Part of the reason why I am a Consumer Aide is because I was unable to get a job as a Peer Specialist last year (2014) due to the fact that I didn’t have enough paid experience. Don’t get me wrong I love my job with a passion. I just really want to be a Peer Specialist.

Now that I have worked a year in the mental health field, I figure that I have enough paid experience. Plus it looks better on a résumé the longer you are at an employer. I have been thinking a great deal about my future in regards to my career the last several years and the last year has confirmed that I am meant to work in the mental health field. I love being able to help people.

Yesterday, I took another step in making my dream come true in regards to moving up in the mental health field. I applied for a Peer Specialist job yesterday with my supervisors “blessing.” She said that she would be more than willing to be a reference for me “even if it is for a different agency.” In fact my previous supervisor said something similar in an email. It feels good knowing that I am good at what I do and that I have the “blessings” of both my current and previous supervisors. Unfortunately, the agency I currently work for, don’t have any Peer Specialist openings at the moment. If they did I would have applied to them first instead of a different agency. I really want the job as a Peer Specialist and hope I get the job but at this moment in time, I just want a call saying that I got an interview.

The one thing I have learned about applying for jobs is to not put your life on hold waiting for a call to see if you got a interview much less the job especially the interview. I have found out from experience that if employers like your résumé  and/or your cover letter they will call you within two weeks to set up an interview. In most cases, employers will let you know if you got the job or not within two weeks. I did have one agency interview me last year that never got back to me even when I emailed them inquiring weather or not I got the job. That’s okay because I now realize maybe its not an agency I want to work for anyway and for a multitude of reasons. I am happy with the experience I have gotten with how various agencies work in regards to their hiring process.

As I end this last assignment of Writing 101: Finding Your Inspiration can you all please send out positive energy and vibes that I get an interview. It will be much appreciated. Have a Happy Friday and Peace Out!!

Writing 101: Finding Your Inspiration; Day Eighteen: A Map As Your Muse

Posted on by Gertie

The above map resembles the path I have chosen for my career. It has taken some time and energy to get where I am at, both personally and professionally. If it wasn’t for the growth I have had in personal life, I would be where I am professionally.

As many of you already know, I am in recovery from a mental illness. The journey with my recovery from a mental illness has not been an easy process. A process that was and still well worth all the work. It is because of my journey with a mental illness, I am choosing the field of mental health as my career path.

Three years ago (2012), is when I truly started my career path. In fact, that is when I started volunteering at my current employer. Then a year later, back in 2013, is when I took the forty (40) hour, one week, peer support specialist training and exam. I of course passed the exam. Then last year (2014), is when I not only got employed with my current employer as a Consumer Aide but started volunteering at the Warm Line as a caller taker. Earlier this year I started volunteering at a local young adult homeless shelter because I ultimately want to work with young adults who struggle with a mental illness. Now that I have been at my current employer for a year, I plan on applying for jobs as a peer support specialist.

I realized last year when I was applying and interviewing for peers support specialist jobs that many mental health agencies wanted people who had paid experience. That is one of the reasons why I applied, interviewed and accepted my current job. I also know from experience that many employers, know matter the company, what people who have been at their current employer for at least a year.

Now that I have the year paid experience, I have been working on updating my résumé and working on cover letters. Like many others, I don’t like writing cover letters because I don’t like “bragging” about myself. Even though I don’t like “bragging” about myself, I try to look at it this way; if it gets me the job I want along my career path then I am getting from point A to point B on my career map.

I may not be getting to point A to point B the way I thought I would career wise, I like the fact that my life has been a journey of self acceptance and resilience. A resilience that only a few know if they choose to be in recovery.

Thank you for reading about my career path and the road I have travelled to get to it. Have a wonderful day and Peace Out!!

Writing 101: Finding Your Inspiration; Day Sixteen: Search Your Stats For A Post Idea

Posted on by Gertie

I unfortunately was unable to do my assignment for day sixteen of Writing 101 yesterday because I went to work and ended up going home sick. After coming home from work sick, I ended up needing to go to the Emergency Room (E.R.). It turns out that I have a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), bladder infection and the starts of a kidney infection.

In fact as I write this particular post, I am suppose to be at work. I feel okay enough to be at work but the doctors in the Emergency Room (E.R.) told me I needed to take today off. Not being able to go to work today is difficult for me. It is difficult because I love my job. Plus, not being able to go into work make me feel like I am not being productive or being a productive member of society.

Now on to day sixteen’s assignment. The assignment ask us to look at our stats for post ideas. In fact I have done this before. I have realized by looking at my stats and reading other’s blogs that titles of the post matter. For instance last Thanksgiving I posted twice. Out of the two post, my Happy Dead Turkey Day post  received the most views, likes, comments, etc. If the title catches the eye of the reader then the reader is more likely to read the post. I also know that if you have a picture involved with a post people tend to read a post. Clever titles and/or post with pictures tend to get the most reads/views.

Now that I have accomplished day sixteen’s assignment, I need to go get my antibiotic for my UTI, bladder infection and kidney infection. Then I will do day seventeen’s assignment and maybe a daily prompt. Peace Out!!!

Weekly Goals

Posted on by Gertie

Its the start of another work week. That means it is time for my weekly goals. I am grateful that this past week my goals weren’t to difficult to accomplish. As always I will share with you on how I did with last weeks goals.

1)  Read Speaker of the Dead by Orson Scott Card. Yes, I did read this week. Not as much as liked because I spent a lot of quality time with Junior.

2)  Work on jigsaw puzzle. Of course I did this goal. This is one of the ways Junior and I spent some quality time.

3)  Color. Yes, I did color.

4)  Writing 101: Finding Your Inspiration. Yup, I did do my assignments for Writing 101 and am really enjoying the course.

5)  Blogging 201: Branding and Growth. I finished this course on Friday. I was and am sad that it finished with.

6)  Work on a self-help workbook; The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook by Matthew McKay, PhD., Jeffery C. Wood, PSY.D., and Jeffrey Brantley, MD. I did manage to do a few pages.

I am happy that I am able to make goals that are difficult for me and able to accomplish them. Now on to this weeks goals.

1)  Read Speaker of the Dead by Orson Scott Card. This is one of my favorite goals and will be completed when I am done with the book.

2)  Work on jigsaw puzzle. Like I said last week, this puzzle is 1500 pieces and will take a while to do. I love doing puzzles.

3)  Color. Of course I’m going make coloring a goal. I am currently coloring four different projects. I do multiple coloring projects at time so I don’t get frustrated or loose my creativity.

4)  Writing 101: Finding Your Inspiration. I am enjoying this course and will hate to see it end this Friday. It has helped me find inspiration that I didn’t realize I had. I’ve also learned a couple of things that I didn’t know before.

5)  Update my résumé. I am wanting apply for Peer Support Specialist jobs this week.

6)  Work on cover letter. Like goal number five (5), I am wanting to  apply for a Peer Support Specialist job.

7)  Apply for a least one job. There is at least one Peer Support Specialist job that I want to apply to. I will most definitely apply for that job and maybe another one.

8)  Work on a self-help workbook; The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook by Matthew McKay, PhD., Jeffery C. Wood, PSY.D., and Jeffrey Brantley, MD. I am slowly but surely accomplishing this goal. Its always nice to be reminded of skills that I have learned.

9)  See my therapist on Wednesday. I have a scheduled appointment with my therapist this week. We will be discussing weather or not it is a good time to start back up on trauma work.

I may have a lot of goals again this week but I have confidence that I will be able to accomplish them. Like always my weekly goals are part of a blogging event over at: http://greenembe.rs/2015/09/28/building-rome-week-39-for-2015/ Have a great work week and Peace Out.