Vocation?

Gotten my 100 practicum hours!!!
And... would be finishing my final assignment soon. Fortunately it's the last assignment because I have reached saturation point in essay writing. The fatigue of writing sets in and there is no more oomph which was present when I first started 18 months ago. Having said that I know I will suffer from withdrawal syndrome after a while. I will be longing to attend lectures and learn new stuff even if I don't miss doing assignments. Of course there is still a lot more counselling skills which I intend to pick up but the courses or workshops are not cheap and I have to be selective.

My internship with the Family Service Centre (FSC) is ending soon and when asked to consider either full or part time employment with them as a Social Worker(SW), I turned it down. The scope of a SW includes case management, running programs for various target groups like youths, senior citizens & parents, organising events etc. All these in addition to counselling which is what I am really looking for. I envisage case management will see a lot of cases seeking financial aid too.

After turning down the offer, I began to wonder whether I was being spoilt. A pure counselling job is not easy to come by unless you start your own practice. Even school counsellors are involved in programs, talks and workshops. So am I being unrealistic? Will I ever have a vocation or am I unable to work under somebody again?

So beware, as you grow older you may become less flexible and less adaptable. That is partly the reason why I quit two years ago. I knew if I wanted a switch it has to happen when I am still young enough to acquire a new qualification.

Well, if luck is on my side, I may be employed as a part time school counsellor at a primary school near my home. My boss at the FSC is really nice and referred me to the principal. There is however a hitch. Staff sent by MOE will be paid by MOE, any other staff whom the school wishes to employ will have to come out from the school budget and also needs clearance form school superintendents. Since school budgets are quite limited, the school can afford only if my charges are within their means, so I was told.

Blur blur, I hinted to the principal I did not mind getting same rate as part time school counsellors sent by MOE. When I checked with my classmates and fellow holders of Masters in Counselling, they told me we should be paid more than the MOE part time counsellors because those fellas only have diploma after a six month intensive training by MOE (but of course they are ex or retired teachers and principals and are supposed to be familiar with student problems). Anyway my classmates asked me not to spoil the market hahaha.

Whatever lah, there are lots of people who volunteer at charities without being paid. If people can do that I guess I can accept less if the job suits me. What more it is only a 5 minute walk from home. So I am keeping my fingers crossed the school will manage to get approval and is also not so poor that it can't afford to engage me. Otherwise I will be thrown into a dilemma again whether to do it as a volunteer! (Sigh I was hoping to build up some small fund to enter the market again and have some excitement. I have not dared to look at my portfolio for a while haha)