Today I met with an employment specialist-Jenna Geerson at WEDCO (she's amazingly cool if anyone needs an employment specialist. Seriously, if you need one look her up) and we got a resume ready for me to apply for jobs. But, what do I want? There are so many different things I could do.
For some reason I'm really in love with the idea of working in a museum. I love the idea of being a docent. I could spend my days bringing exhibits to life for people. I love history, I love the world we live in. That would be the life. How many of you have listened to me summarize a book or movie that I've loved? (If you haven't we may not know each other very well.) The one problem with this idea is that docents are volunteers. To get paid work in a museum I'd need a library science degree or a museology degree. I don't have the money to go back to school, so this one is looking less likely. However I do have plans to start volunteering at two different museums, so who knows?
Teacher Aide? I'm not really in love with this one. I want to do it all or nothing, but that's kinda immature. I feel like I've been working under other teachers for so long now, but I think if I did it I would fall in love with my students all over again and learn to love the job. I never got the chance to intern in middle school. People usually love or hate teaching middle school. As a teacher, the kids with attitude, the kind that talk back, fill my little heart with joy. I just want to try it, to see if I fit. Plus if I do it for two years I can get my teacher certification, and maybe still fulfill my dreams of teaching abroad. Or teach abroad now? I'm divided on that one.
I've also thought about being a librarian. Spending all day every day matching people to the right books? Wow, that's a meaningful life. To be surrounded by the written word, the stories that shape (and have shaped) individuals and societies. And then to make them accessible to others? Just, wow. But there's still the matter of that pesky library science degree. You know, the one I don't have? Maybe some day.
I've thought often recently about being a genealogist. I've done work on my own family lines for a while now and I love it. This is fueled by my strong belief in life after death. (for more on my beliefs, go here. To see why I got into genealogy, go here) It is a great tragedy to me that people die many times over. Leaving this life physically can be a happy thing. The tenderest feelings of my heart surround the memory of those I knew who went on before me. But the sad fact is that we go on too. I will fill the lives of my children with the memories I have of my grandparents. I will share them and try to give my children the strength I gained from these remarkable people (stick with me, this will tie into genealogy, I promise) But, and this will make some of my blog readers sad, I won't pass on much about my Grandpa Christensen simply because I never knew him. I don't have any memories to share. He has died in memory as well as in body once the family line gets to me. As a genealogist I can bring the records of a passed life to light. I can share what bare records show about the choices they made, where they went, what they did, who they did it with. I can make their lives meaningful once again. I can thank them for the person I am and I can share them with others. As much as I love the rising generation of children, I also love those who came before me. Dedicating my life to them is something I could be proud of.
What about teaching music? This is still my dream job. To me music is so beautiful, so simple, so complex, so elemental, so sophisticated. Yes, it can be all those things at once. It is what I'm made of and I love the job of unlocking the beauty within others. (Just reread that last sentence. It needs no expounding.) I'm more than qualified for this one. Problem is that there aren't very many of them. Where do I get a job doing this? That's the million dollar question (and if I could make a million doing it I'd know I'd died and gone to Heaven)
I like the fact that I'm passionate about all these ideas. I know with my whole heart that happiness comes from within. No matter what job I get, I will fall in love with it. I choose to be happy. I'm also sure that Father in Heaven has a plan for me. Somewhere He is guiding me to what's best for me. I'm just trying to figure out what that is. Any thoughts from friends/family? Input is always appreciated and considered. Now...DISCUSS!
For some reason I'm really in love with the idea of working in a museum. I love the idea of being a docent. I could spend my days bringing exhibits to life for people. I love history, I love the world we live in. That would be the life. How many of you have listened to me summarize a book or movie that I've loved? (If you haven't we may not know each other very well.) The one problem with this idea is that docents are volunteers. To get paid work in a museum I'd need a library science degree or a museology degree. I don't have the money to go back to school, so this one is looking less likely. However I do have plans to start volunteering at two different museums, so who knows?
Teacher Aide? I'm not really in love with this one. I want to do it all or nothing, but that's kinda immature. I feel like I've been working under other teachers for so long now, but I think if I did it I would fall in love with my students all over again and learn to love the job. I never got the chance to intern in middle school. People usually love or hate teaching middle school. As a teacher, the kids with attitude, the kind that talk back, fill my little heart with joy. I just want to try it, to see if I fit. Plus if I do it for two years I can get my teacher certification, and maybe still fulfill my dreams of teaching abroad. Or teach abroad now? I'm divided on that one.
I've also thought about being a librarian. Spending all day every day matching people to the right books? Wow, that's a meaningful life. To be surrounded by the written word, the stories that shape (and have shaped) individuals and societies. And then to make them accessible to others? Just, wow. But there's still the matter of that pesky library science degree. You know, the one I don't have? Maybe some day.
I've thought often recently about being a genealogist. I've done work on my own family lines for a while now and I love it. This is fueled by my strong belief in life after death. (for more on my beliefs, go here. To see why I got into genealogy, go here) It is a great tragedy to me that people die many times over. Leaving this life physically can be a happy thing. The tenderest feelings of my heart surround the memory of those I knew who went on before me. But the sad fact is that we go on too. I will fill the lives of my children with the memories I have of my grandparents. I will share them and try to give my children the strength I gained from these remarkable people (stick with me, this will tie into genealogy, I promise) But, and this will make some of my blog readers sad, I won't pass on much about my Grandpa Christensen simply because I never knew him. I don't have any memories to share. He has died in memory as well as in body once the family line gets to me. As a genealogist I can bring the records of a passed life to light. I can share what bare records show about the choices they made, where they went, what they did, who they did it with. I can make their lives meaningful once again. I can thank them for the person I am and I can share them with others. As much as I love the rising generation of children, I also love those who came before me. Dedicating my life to them is something I could be proud of.
What about teaching music? This is still my dream job. To me music is so beautiful, so simple, so complex, so elemental, so sophisticated. Yes, it can be all those things at once. It is what I'm made of and I love the job of unlocking the beauty within others. (Just reread that last sentence. It needs no expounding.) I'm more than qualified for this one. Problem is that there aren't very many of them. Where do I get a job doing this? That's the million dollar question (and if I could make a million doing it I'd know I'd died and gone to Heaven)
I like the fact that I'm passionate about all these ideas. I know with my whole heart that happiness comes from within. No matter what job I get, I will fall in love with it. I choose to be happy. I'm also sure that Father in Heaven has a plan for me. Somewhere He is guiding me to what's best for me. I'm just trying to figure out what that is. Any thoughts from friends/family? Input is always appreciated and considered. Now...DISCUSS!
For practicality, working as a teacher's aide and getting your degree sounds like a good choice, and you already know you enjoy the work. I do, however, see you as a music teacher. Whatever you do, you are on the right path analyzing your strengths and weaknesses. Let me know what unfolds!
ReplyDeleteHonestly I don't know which of these is absolutely the BEST job for you, but they all sound like they could be good jobs for you. Does that make sense? I hadn't considered the idea of a librarian, but I could totally see it. Especially at like a school library or something. You could really get kids excited about reading, I think. But whatever happens, like you said, I know you'll make it yours and you'll be happy about it. And that's one of the things I like about you :) P.S. I miss you - Come back! ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm with J Hiner. Teacher's Aide is a practical short-term goal while you figure out what's next. There aren't as many aide jobs out there in regular classrooms, but there's nearly always somthing in Ex-Ed. Some have physical requirements, but some do not. Last year, I was a one-on-one aide for a boy with autism who was mainstreamed into a regular kindergarten class for half the day. I was mainly his aide, but I worked with all the kids in the class.
ReplyDeleteJanice
I also agree with J Hiner. Knowing your passions, I suspect there will be a season for each of these options - some can also be done in tandem. Having a paying job is essential to make these dreams a reality. You are on the right path - you are considering your options and understanding that you will grow to love whatever job/career you choose. It is a joyful path, mostly because your faith in the Savior's plan for you is stretched and nourished daily.
ReplyDeleteHaha I'd like to clarify that Mrs. Hiner is one of my teachers! I've been looking at a lot of different things, but I'm starting to feel that teacher's aide is my best bet. It pays pretty well and there are openings (that's more than I can say about the other jobs)
ReplyDelete