any friendly advice?
hey you all. Just your friendly neighborhood metalhead come to post some babble. I am having some trouble getting into the outreach field of work. Everywhere I go, it seems they want me to have the social worker course. Now, I am ok with the demands, since most of it has to do with youth, but I am also getting frustrated, because I thought that having 5 years of life experience would at least get my foot in the door. I think what needs to go on, is that there needs to be more hiring of people who have seen the things that the people you will be working with have seen, and been in their shoes as well. I feel that if they know that you are talking from experience, they would be more willing to open up, and be more susceptible to the advice given, or just plain more trusting in the matter. I know that I was never one to trust a social worker, and to put a label on my head (in my mind) might make it harder to get through to these people. I dont want to be a hero. I just want to give back what I took. I think i would be a good outreach worker, but just do not have the money or resources to finish highschool, AND take the 3 year course for social work. Is there any way around this? or am i stuck with what has been dished out? email me @ ladrf@hotmail.com
I hear ya loud & clear. I had the same problem(s) you speak of all my life. Looks like we gotta do outreach on our own. And I've no objection to being a volunteer, but what happens is that volunteers don''t get any support from the pros on the scene & it undermines our efforts.
All this bullshit has to do with how the economy is set up, like if you're not getting paid, you're ignored, like you don't count. I don't recommend "training" either because there's no guarentee you'll get to do what you want. Somebody at an anti-poverty meeting once said that he realized social work is really social control. That blew me away, it was right on the money.
An office worker recently told me she wanted to work with disabled kids because she has one and was told she doesn't have any experience. Once when I was job hunting, I answered an ad for an entry level job with the CRD Housing & accd. to the add, I had the qualifications, but because I had no recent experience (I was a mom) I was told I wasn't qualified.
Our lives have been co-opted by professionals. Parenting has been co-opted by professionals. The entire addiction/recovery movement has been co-opted by pros. It's all a way to generate money. That's why I'm for a guaranteed livable income for everyone because then there'd be no need to exploit people to earn money, we'd be able to be moms without being told we're not working & to get a job. We've got to reclaim our lives, our natural authority has been usurped - everywhere I look, that's what it feels like.
I feel bad about what I've got to say because I don't want to discourage you, maybe you will find the right place & people who'll appreciate what you've got to offer. I sure as hell hope so.
I'm going to Centennial to join the Intern. Women's Day Celebration, it'll likely cheer me up & inspire me. It gives me a lift to connect with those who's fighting spirit helps me carry on.
Take care & all the best of luck to you. Skel
"Truckin licence, that's fantastic !