A New Job Possibility

I found this job listing online and I thought that it might be something good. It is a management position and from the description it sounds like a large part of the job would be recognizing and encouraging volunteers. Sounds good to me. Money will definitely be an issue though because it is a volunteer hospice group. Looking at the website though it looks like they do a good job of fundraising including a Garden Party that includes a fashion show. Maybe I can get some of my other interests in too. =)

Manager of Volunteer Services at Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice

Responsible for the administration and development of the volunteer program, including recruitment, training, assignment and retention of all FVVH volunteers in all areas of service. 
• Recruit, screen, select, train, assign, place, monitor and evaluate volunteers in collaboration with the Interdisciplinary Team. 
• Maintain personnel files. Policies and Procedures will define what is in the files. 
• Schedule, coordinate and implement in-services and educational programs for FVVH volunteers to ensure support and continuing development. 
• Coordinate method of correspondence with all volunteers to inform them of important dates and activities of FVVH. 
• Establish and implement a plan for recognizing volunteer services. 
• Attend Patient Care Conferences as requested. 
• Evaluate effectiveness of the volunteer program annually. 
• Participate in budget preparation and funding allocation requests as requested. 
• Attend staff meetings and lunch and learns. 
• Adhere to all Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice policies and procedures. 
• Maintain Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice Confidentiality Policy and HIPAA privacy and security rules. 
• Access to Electronic Protected Health Information: Level 2. 
• Participate in Fox Valley Hospice educational processes. 
• Assist with staff orientation. 
• Perform all other reasonably related duties of a Volunteer Services Coordinator assigned by the Executive Director.

New Idea!

So, here's my new idea. You get to help since I'm still having trouble finding jobs that sound interesting online. Let's concentrate on companies or kind of companies that would be good. What are some cool companies? What kinds of things would I like to work with? Throw me some ideas! =)

Examples: clothes, flowers, cooking, kids...

Still Looking

I've been looking online at Careerbuilder and some other websites and have found nothing that even sounds remotely interesting to me. It's like I'm still in the same place I was when I started this whole process. Sure, I have a better idea of the kinds of things I theoretically would like to do, but I still don't have any specific ideas.  The other problem is that I'm am literally bored to death at work and I don't want to do anything. It's one of those things when you've made up your mind that you shouldn't be there and then you can't convince yourself to put in any real effort because it seems like a waste. Grr! I just want things settled.

My New Dilemma

So, as you can see I've been doing lots of thinking lately. During all of this I've come to the conclusion that something is standing in the way of me deciding on a career. Every career that sounds interesting to me and seems to fit my personality takes a lot of time and/or is very hard to break into. This is where the problem begins. I want to be a mom and I've always imagined myself being able to stay at home (not work) at least while my children are little. At this point this is probably not possible because Jon and I can't really afford for me to stay home full time, but I think that it might be possible to do part time. Basically I've always wanted to be able to spend a lot of time with my children as they grow up. Child development, especially for little ones, is really interesting to me and I want to be able to apply my knowledge. Maybe I should just wait to start a "career" until after my (future) children are older (I am such a planner). So, these are my thoughts...

I want to be a mom (eventually) and I think that might be my "career" for awhile. At this point, I just need to find something I can deal with on a day to day basis. 

If I Could Be Anything, What Would I Be?

I asked Jon this question this morning because I have asked myself it before and not come up with any good answers. I thought maybe he could provide some insight and as usual he did (I love that guy). He asked some great questions that we worked through, including: 

• Who are you in terms of work?
• What activities make me more like myself?
• In what do I "lose myself"?
• What work is meaningful to me?

We talked about the fact that I'm bored with my work and why that was. With my current job, I do a lot of busy work, but nothing that feels important to me. I can basically do my job without thinking because it involves the same thing for every family. This does not appeal to me at all. As we were talking I mentioned to Jon that I see myself in some kind of position of power. I want to be a part of the functioning of the system instead of just a pawn. We also discussed how at this point in my current job I do not really have room to develop. I've already exceeded the expectations that have been laid out for me in this job.

We discussed the ideal version of Torrie because I need a job that helps me get closer to that ideal version of myself. Jon gave me his impression of me, which is very similar to looking at strengths I think. Here are some of the things he said, "put together, fashionable, laid back, personable, funny, punctual, smart, white girl that dances with black soul, quietly brilliant, conscientious, thoughtful, hardworking, responsible, sociable, good with kids, capable, good in the kitchen, hospitable, generous, giving, engaged, and well-rounded". Obviously these are things that come somewhat naturally, but need to be encouraged also. These are the traits that I want to live up to.

So, after discussing these traits, I came back to a job/career that I've considered before, event planning. I originally thought of it in regards to fashion shows, but I also think I'd be interested in planning weddings and other large events. I like the idea of being in charge and trying to organize others points of view in order to create an event that goes off without a hitch. It also includes a lot of those traits that I want to encourage in myself and several the come naturally. I also do well under pressure and can deal with people who are crazed by stress. So, I think it's a good idea and am going to start researching some more.