I got a new job this week. That’s the short version. If you want the long (winded) version, read on:
I’m sure I have mentioned it before, but I work with people with developmental disabilities. I work at a large agency, and the program that I work in helps our clients to get jobs in the community (and keep those jobs of course!)
I have been at the agency for about three years and in my program for two and a half. Up until a few months ago I worked as a “two on one,” meaning that I had two clients only. They are phasing out the 2:1 positions though, and I’ve been without a position for a couple months.
We have a “classroom” in our program where the clients learn job skills and do piecework to make extra money between jobs or on their days off. Last November, the lady who was the classroom “teacher” left for another position within the company. I took over covering the classroom for a few months, and I loved it more than any job I’d ever had.
In late January, I asked my supervisor if I could interview for the position (they had had no luck whatsoever in finding a good candidate). She agreed, but told me that she had just interviewed a guy from outside the agency and wanted to make him an offer. I asked if I still had a chance at the job and she prettymuch said no. You can only imagine how that made me feel.
Anyway, this new guy, in a nutshell, had an “anger problem.” He was a nightmare to work with, and I ended up doing coverage in his classroom a lot of the time anyway. It absolutely broke my heart, because the guy did nothing but complain about the job, and I would have taken it in a second.
He quit a few weeks ago. My supervisor had since left the agency for a new job.
On Monday, I interviewed with our “Acting Program Director” and the Asst VP. On Thursday, I found out that I got the job! I told the clients, who were positively bursting over the news. That’s the part of this that has made me feel the best. Knowing that I have made that kind of an impact on them has really meant a lot to me. I still have no idea how I did it.
So as soon as a few issues can be worked out (I’ve been doing coverage all over the place for a few months), I can start my new position full time!
I know I didn’t have to tell the whole story, and I’m sorry it was so long. (I honestly did just give the abridged version). But I am positively ecstatic over this news, and after having been so miserable lately, it means that much more to me. A few weeks ago, I was going through the want ads, and now I have my dream job! I cannot even explain fully how happy I am right now about this.
;j