I finished my class – well, that’s not true.
I dropped out after I received a job offer. Â 😉
I’m currently awaiting the completion of the background check and then I can start the job. Â It’s here in Woodland (YIPPEE!) and a small office (YIPPEE!) but benefits of a large nationwide organization (SUPER YIPPEE!)
I’m anxious to get started! Â More news when I hear from them!
I’m more than 1/2 way done! Our class has shrunk even smaller – there are four of us now. I’ve really come to enjoy these people and hope they are able to achieve everything they want to do. Â F is the only guy left. He is a hippy straight out of the 60s – loves the Grateful Dead and everyone. He’s had a rough life but is super proud that he can (and has) lived with nature for many years, helping other when he could and doing his best to be self reliant. Â This class has been a stretch for him, but he’s witty and makes it fun!
M & V are the other women, both younger moms.  V is like a younger version of me, if I had confidence to kick down doors and take names!  M is quiet but it’s been neat to see her literally come out of her shell. The first week she wore a hoodie all week with the hood up. She’s a beautiful person who deserves more than she’s currently got. And, I think she’ll get there!
I count myself blessed to have met these folks!
I think I mentioned the first few days focused on our personalities, interests and skills. Â Of course applying this to the type of work we’d like. Â I was pretty sure where I was going to focus my job search, but it was nice having that confirmation that I was going the right direction.
We worked on job applications, resumes, practiced interviewing and so much more than I could share here. Â Next week we actually start looking for jobs. Â Of course, I’ve got some resumes out there already. Â In fact, I have an interview for next Tuesday afternoon and just found out another interview will be scheduled soon for another position. I thought I bombed the test, but based on my score, I’m the 2nd candidate out of 35!! Yippee! Â And there is still another position that I REALLY want but it doesn’t even close until 9/3.
Next, we start the real searching! Prayers appreciated! 🙂
Finished our tests and then started discussing communication – reminded me of classes at Western Seminary (they had classes for the wives – so empowering and great fellowship!).
After the class was over, I asked for my scores. Â For Math, I was post high school level. I was pretty proud of that since I had to leave two of them unsolved.
Then for vocabulary (for which I was feeling confident) and reading comprehension (for which I was not feeling confident about due to the test I took last week – legalese and Amy are not friends! haha) But I received a grade level of 18.9 for each. Â So that was nice since I haven’t graduated from college. 🙂
AND, on top of that, when I got home it was to find a job, on which I had given up, called to schedule an interview! Â So Thursday morning I have an interview!! 😀 Â That feels pretty good!
Here are my observations from the Career Exploration workshop I’m attending.
First, It’s a long-time to lunch when you can’t pop into the kitchen to get a snack!
I took a learning style test. I was OVERWHELMING a visual learner. Then kinesthetic was 1/2 that number and 1/2 again was auditory learner. Â I remember when I figured that out on my own – I finally understood how I could learn, not just that I wasn’t learning!
There were 18 people registered for this career exploration workshop. Six people showed up. 6! That’s just crazy to me. Plus side is that we get more individualized attention and we might get done early each day. 🙂
I’m definitely the oldest and based on body language, I might be the ONLY person who wants to be there!
We are taking a math, vocabulary and reading comp test now. We’ll finish up after lunch. Â I think this is to help us know ourselves. If your math score is low, but you want to be an accountant, you are going to need to work on your math skills.
Came home a few minutes early for lunch. Â No chores were done. Surprise! lol oh well.
If these three weeks give me confidence to find the right job and get through the interview, I’ll be glad I did it!
Thanks for your ongoing prayers!!
 I started something new today.  After 11 years of working from home (yes, often in my PJs), I am starting the process of finding work outside my home.  I’m not sure where I will end up or how we will work things out, but I feel the time is right and I’m moving forward.
First let me explain a few things.  Hubs has been teaching at a private, Christian school for 12 years.  It’s a lovely ministry – wonderful people and a blessing to our family in so many ways.  Unfortunately, it’s experiencing a some low enrollment and this year they could no longer provide health insurance for their employees.  Fortunately, our children have insurance but that leaves Hubs and I.  And, Hubs is a diabetic who sees the doctor more than the average person.  This isn’t the only reason I’m looking for work outside the home, but it is the moment I knew it was no longer an idea for my consideration, it was time.
After praying about it, I told my current employer of my need. Â They have been wonderfully supportive and understanding. Â They simply aren’t in a position to meet this need for our family either. Â They’ve agreed to allow me to reduce my hours to part-time and reduce my responsibilities too. Â Well, that last part is a work-in-progress 😉
Today I went to our local one-stop (they house employment services and many other services in one central location) to take a test. Â Afterwards, I inquired about other services they might have available and was whisked into a workshop for people interested in working at our local state university. Â It was very helpful and encouraging! Â The HR recruiter asked me to send her my resume as I indicated I’d be interested in temporary services in the administration arena. Â She said that 80% of their temporary employees move into permanent positions. Â 🙂
And, not only that but I found out the one-stop offers a 3-week course to help people looking for work. Â The first part of the course focus on your skills, personality, strengths and experience and helps you craft a plan for employment. Â Then they help you create your resume, practice for interviews and then the last week or so they assist you in searching for work. Â The downside is that the course is 9-4, Monday through Friday. Â And, it starts next Monday. Â Wow. Â Nothing like jumping in with both feet. Â But after praying about it, it feels like I really need to move forward since the opportunity is here. Â It will take some coordination and my organizational skills will be put to the test, but with some cooperation from my family, I’m going to try!
As I have time, and energy, I will post here and share what I’m learning. Â I appreciate your prayers and support. Â Can’t wait to see where this journey will take me!
