I can't believe it's been more than a year since my last post--I'm not exactly sure why I stopped posting-- perhaps I was just feeling a lot of pressure with the end of grad school and the prospect of trying to get a job? Either way, over the past year and half, many things have happened that I'd love to write down so I don't forget.
The biggest events, of course, included my graduation from California Lutheran University with my Master's degree in Counseling & Guidance for College Students. I received the highest score possible on my Comprehensive Exam, which is something I am incredibly proud of.
It is unfortunate that I graduated with this degree during one of the worst times for public education in California. I've applied to many jobs--whenever I see a posting for anything even remotely local, I apply, but I haven't had much luck finding full-time employment.
Last year, I was fortunate enough to be hired for a VERY part-time (4 hours a week) counseling position with the Honors Program at Pierce Community College. This was the same program and supervisor I had worked with as an intern in the Fall of 2010. I really enjoyed my job--the Honors Program at Pierce prepared students for UCLA and similar undergraduate programs. Not only was I using my counseling skills, but I often got to use my English skills when helping my students write their Personal Statements or applications for scholarships. I was told by some students that I was the "best counselor" they'd ever worked with at Pierce. We sent over 70% of graduating program participants to UCLA this year!
Sadly, by the end of the school year, my supervisor had to deliver some bad news. Due to budget cuts, not only was she going to be removed as the Director of the program (which meant she no longer would be paid for working for the program 16 hours a week), but they no longer could afford to pay me for my 4 hours of work a week.
Then, in June I was contacted by Pierce again to ask if I would be willing to teach a course called "College Success Seminar" to a group of Summer Bridge students. Summer Bridge is an 8-week program that helps low-income/first generation students make the transition from high school to college. In cohorts, the students are enrolled in two classes (English and the College Success Seminar), and attend class from 8am-12:30pm four days a week. I was given a copy of the textbook and told to come up with my own curriculum. So, for 8 weeks this summer, I was working like crazy. Writing my own curriculum, teaching, grading, etc--it all adds up to a lot of hours. It was a lot of work, but I was so happy to get the experience. Most full-time counselors at community colleges are required to teach similar courses as part of their job, so this will be a great thing to put on my resume. It also allowed me to get into the hiring pool at Pierce College should they need an instructor for this class again during the school year or another Summer Bridge program.
Considering how little "work" I get to do within my chosen profession, I've had to take on some other part-time jobs to help make ends meet here on the home front. About a year ago, I found out through a friend that her pet-sitter was looking to hire a new employee. I sent out a resume right away and she called me right back. Since then, I've been working several hours a week either as a dog walker or a pet-sitter (some clients are regular 5 days a week jobs, others are just for a week at a time while clients are on vacation). It is a surprisingly lucrative job--and I get paid in cash. Together with the tutoring I've been doing for years now, I've pieced together a nice little schedule.
Fernando is still working at Pacific Sales corporate in Torrance, but he is actively looking for other employment. The long commute is definitely wearing on him. Again, the job market is not really working in either of our favors, but we just have to be persistent. With any luck--a year from now we'll both be employed full-time. At that point, I think we'll be in a much better place--financially--to start thinking about starting a family. Until then--we're staying busy being "parents" to August and Chipotle.
~LOVE~
