Over two years ago, I began working in the Kid's Club at 24 Hour Fitness. When I was first hired, I was a full time grad student. They offered me a lot of flexibility and I was able to focus on school while still earning money. Though it's been great, I'm ready to move on. I've graduated, I have my master's degree, and I'm ready to work in my field.
I've added on the full time unpaid job of searching for jobs. I'll be honest...I do not at all enjoy this process. I feel as though I've applied for about 3849283927 jobs, but always get that "thanks, but no thanks" email. Or they'll call for an interview and then go with someone else. It has to be one of the most discouraging and disheartening processes ever. Now that I've whined and complained...here are some positives...
This past week has been quite the uplifting one as far as the job hunt goes. I had a second phone interview with a residential youth facility in Oregon and was offered a in-person interview and observation on the spot. That's going to happen on Thursday, and I'm really looking forward to it. It was so encouraging to have that happen. While on the phone interviewing with the residential facility, Child Protective Services emailed me, inviting me to be a part of a group interview. It was a great half hour for me! That interview will happen in a couple weeks.
But here's the kicker...almost a month ago, I applied for a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP...or Q) position at MacLaren, one of the youth correctional facilities in Oregon, located in Woodburn. Essentially, the position is what I did during my internship, just at the facility in Woodburn (my internship was in Salem). As I applied, I wanted to pinch myself...I thought I was dreaming. I don't think people realized just how much I loved and wanted this position. I applied the day the position opened and have been sending up prayers every day since. Last Friday, the position closed. I hadn't heard anything, so I figured that once again, my application was a "thanks, but no thanks." Tuesday morning, I was listening to a voicemail when I saw that I was getting a phone call from "MacLaren." My stomach found it's way to my throat, but I somehow found a way to muster up a "Hello?" I had been invited to interview for the Q position. I literally almost exploded. Thursday afternoon, I would be making my way to Woodburn to interview.
When Thursday finally arrived, I was a nervous wreck all morning. I prayed all the way to Woodburn. As soon as I hit the gate house, I was so excited to be back on OYA property. I love these places. This was where I was designed to work. I made my way to the admin building and read the interview questions. When my turn finally arrived, I walked into the HR office and did my best in that 30 minutes to tell them why I should be the new Q on the Troy unit. They said it would be the middle to end of next week before I heard anything. I have been waiting on pins and needles. I'm doing the best I can to not get my hopes up, but it's so hard. I want this job more than I can express.
Here's to staying encouraged despite the craziness, to moving forward, and to a God who answers our wildest of prayers.
