# I'm employed **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 9, 2002, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-employed/118034 "2002-07-09T05:09:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Fionn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Fionn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fionn)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2002, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-employed/118034/1 "2002-07-09T05:09:30Z")
Sort of. Tonight, I had my first training class as a paraprofessional crisis counselor with the local MHMR agency. The title is fancy (kinda superhero-ish, I was told) but I’ll just be taking calls on a crisis hotline. I already do something similar with a runaway/youth hotline. Tonight was basic stuff-signing forms, learning all about confidentiality (no news to me, thanks to my psych degree) and getting an introduction to active listening. It’s just a part-time job, but I can’t afford to turn anything down. I think it’ll be good experience, and it’ll be something I can count on as I look for an additional job. The instructor, the director, said they give scheduling preference to their best counselors, as opposed to seniority. I’m both intrigued (Hey, I could be good! I could be one of the best!) and intimidated (But probably not!) by this idea. We had a homework assignment to watch TV and practice actively listening to the characters. _Law and Order_ was made for this. ---
**Author:** ![Flamsterette\_X](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/41988e/32.png) [@Flamsterette\_X](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flamsterette_X)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2002, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-employed/118034/2 "2002-07-09T05:33:40Z")
Hey, good for you! Congratulations! I’m sure you’ll do just fine. F\_X ---
**Author:** ![El\_Elvis\_Rojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@El\_Elvis\_Rojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Elvis_Rojo)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2002, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-employed/118034/3 "2002-07-09T06:07:39Z")
Well, I’ve already said it about a thousand times, but I know how long you’ve been trying so: CONGRATULATIONS!!! again. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2002, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-employed/118034/4 "2002-07-09T13:23:51Z")
'Grats and good luck, **Fionn**! ---
**Author:** ![Ripple](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b2d939/32.png) [@Ripple](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ripple)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2002, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-employed/118034/5 "2002-07-09T15:40:30Z")
Hey, congratulations!! Employment is a good thing 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Fionn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Fionn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fionn)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2002, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-employed/118034/6 "2002-07-09T16:39:28Z")
Thanks, everyone. I’m about to go get my ID badge made, and I’ll try once again to actually get a decent ID photo. Somehow, I always end up taking them in the summer, so I have that sweaty-frizzy haired-pissed-off-expression thing going on. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2002, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-employed/118034/7 "2002-07-09T16:40:01Z")
Yay! I’m really glad you’re not going to have to leave town! Congratulations! ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2002, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-employed/118034/8 "2002-07-09T18:04:10Z")
Congrats! Part time/ temp work is often a foot in the door to something more concrete. Put you’re best effort into it and it’s bound to pay off in one way or another.