decisions, decisions
I have three volunteer/internships to decide between. I am incredibly happy and lucky that I have these opportunities. But i cant do all. Well, i could, but i couldnt do work as well and i have bills. So i have to choose. But i dont know which one. I thought i had it all figured out, but then the third came, and that threw me for a loop.
The first, at the san fernando valley counseling center is the one i find the least interesting, because its straight counseling, just dealing with people with emotional issues. My main interest has always been in victims of sexual abuse, specifically victims of human trafficking and sexual slavery. BUT..this program offers a certificate in counseling, certifying that i'll have had over 3 months of training plus hands on experience which will look really good on my app. PLUS, some of the schools in london require that I have a counseling certificate, or i'll have to take extra classes if i dont have the certificate, which i cannot afford.
The second program, The San Fernando Valley TRAUMA counseling center (it is different. really!) has a great position as a Rape Crisis Advocate, where you deal with rape victims. They also offer certification, but its not as broad or as thorough as the counseling certificate. But the work is definitely more interesting to me.
The third, Children of the Night, an organization in van nuys that deals with former prostitutes, all under 18. This is EXACTLY what i want to do. But its a volunteer position, not an internship, and they only require a few days a month. And no certification. GAh, i dont know. I have till....tomorrow to decide.
I really really want to apply to grad school RIGHT NOW. But realistically, i wont have a solid application and good options for recomendations until next year, after ive put in some time at an internship and made some connections with people. Its been too long to ask my professors at UCSB for a rec, and my current jobs arent relevant to my field, so those recs wont help. And honestly, i got a rec from paul for a job, and it was dissapointingly generic. One of my old jobs was relevant, and im still in close contact with some of my supervisors, but thats only one rec. I need three. And again, realistically speaking, I wont be in any shape financially for about a year. I'm doing so well on bills, but my debt is still pretty large. Ive been trying to sock away money for grad school, but at this point, even the fees to apply are daunting. (I am stupidly applying to all schools in the UK, so i have to pay in pounds, which means their 60 pound fee is 120$...per school! Just to apply!)
I know that im on the right track, but it feels so agonizingly slow sometimes. Especially being back at bn. I hate it there so much. The people and the job and the managers. I need something concrete to get me through it, a solid date of when i can leave. Of when I cant start my career and finally do something worthwhile and not just work to live.
The first, at the san fernando valley counseling center is the one i find the least interesting, because its straight counseling, just dealing with people with emotional issues. My main interest has always been in victims of sexual abuse, specifically victims of human trafficking and sexual slavery. BUT..this program offers a certificate in counseling, certifying that i'll have had over 3 months of training plus hands on experience which will look really good on my app. PLUS, some of the schools in london require that I have a counseling certificate, or i'll have to take extra classes if i dont have the certificate, which i cannot afford.
The second program, The San Fernando Valley TRAUMA counseling center (it is different. really!) has a great position as a Rape Crisis Advocate, where you deal with rape victims. They also offer certification, but its not as broad or as thorough as the counseling certificate. But the work is definitely more interesting to me.
The third, Children of the Night, an organization in van nuys that deals with former prostitutes, all under 18. This is EXACTLY what i want to do. But its a volunteer position, not an internship, and they only require a few days a month. And no certification. GAh, i dont know. I have till....tomorrow to decide.
I really really want to apply to grad school RIGHT NOW. But realistically, i wont have a solid application and good options for recomendations until next year, after ive put in some time at an internship and made some connections with people. Its been too long to ask my professors at UCSB for a rec, and my current jobs arent relevant to my field, so those recs wont help. And honestly, i got a rec from paul for a job, and it was dissapointingly generic. One of my old jobs was relevant, and im still in close contact with some of my supervisors, but thats only one rec. I need three. And again, realistically speaking, I wont be in any shape financially for about a year. I'm doing so well on bills, but my debt is still pretty large. Ive been trying to sock away money for grad school, but at this point, even the fees to apply are daunting. (I am stupidly applying to all schools in the UK, so i have to pay in pounds, which means their 60 pound fee is 120$...per school! Just to apply!)
I know that im on the right track, but it feels so agonizingly slow sometimes. Especially being back at bn. I hate it there so much. The people and the job and the managers. I need something concrete to get me through it, a solid date of when i can leave. Of when I cant start my career and finally do something worthwhile and not just work to live.