Volunteer

I'm only in training still (should be done this Saturday!). I love it so far. I feel like I'm finally doing something meaningful with my life.

It's like I've had this burning in my stomach. This activist, social justiciar, vigilante caged inside and the fire is finally being freed. I'm happy. And I'm finally doing something I actually want to do and/or care about.

There are a few potential problems though. This Saturday is when the shelter will pick it's volunteers. There are too many of us who signed up and I guess not enough work to do! Which is great, but bad if you're a volunteer. I don't know how they'll decide, but only a few of us will actually work at the shelter. I worry that, if I am among the lucky few, I won't do a good job. It's hard to think of anything to say other than "I'm sorry." or "What you're feeling is normal." And all that stuff. The right stuff, but what else?

Anyway, today was amazing. I got to hear two women from the shelter share their experiences. Their abusers were seriously awful. Before them, we got to hear from a victim's advocate. I've been considering this area of employment. Especially lately because I'm trying to figure out if I should go back to mortuary school or continue on to a bachelors after my associates (If I did get my bachelors, I'd want to do this or private investigation). Anyway, I was loving it. I was really getting pumped up.

Then I asked the presenter what she did to get there. And she's like: They require a bachelors. I got my bachelors in criminal justice, and I loved it, I wouldn't change it, but they want you to have a background in social work." Oh...fantastic.

She went on to say that she had to compete with LCSWs and people with masters degrees in social work and how she applied to like 4 or 5 states before she was lucky enough to land her job now. I mean, I guess it's not impossible this way (clearly), being able to speak Spanish should help, but she said criminal justice narrows what you can do in the field.

And that's not the first time I've heard that. I heard it from a criminal justice teacher too, so...

I guess this major really is just for cops. But I love it too. I know what she means when she says she'd do it again. So...now I don't know. But it's not likely I'd do well at that job either because people. But for some reason I feel empowered when I'm doing this. Like I can help victims. Maybe they're special. I don't know. I. Don't. Know.

But today was great! Most everything is going really well today.