On the Prowl

I have been ferociously looking for a job. Not because we "need" it because Don works full time and I currently work part time and this is very suitable for our lifestyle but because I want to work. Don is impressing on me the importance of not getting a job for the sake of getting a job but instead, finding a job that I love. So I have prospects already.

My first choice is this place in town that targets teens and young adults...the age group I love to work with AND I am good at working with. I would LOVE to work here. The hitch?? They're not hiring until summer/fall of 2011.

I have seen a slew — literally 8 or 9 — positions open at Pine Rest, where I currently work. Most of those positions are with the teenage-age group which is great. A few are inpatient, many though are outpatient. I didn't think I wanted inpatient but the more I think about it, maybe I should step out and face that fear. My most favored position in this area is pretty much the same thing I did at YFC so I'm more than qualified to work that position.

Then there is Wedgewood. For those of you familiar with the Grand Rapids area, then you'll know that Pine Rest and Wedgewood are very similar with the programs working with teens and adolescents.

And there is Bethany. Bethany is probably most known for their adoption department but they also do tons of work with refugees, trouble teens, foster parenting, and many other things. They have counseling options and positions too.

Then there are group practices and agencies that are around town. There is this one place, Fountain Hill, that I'm going to talk to about joining. There is another that a fellow graduate started in the Summer of 2010. There are several that graduates have started in conjunction with churches. I feel these are harder to get into but I have nothing to back that up with.

This is all in hopes that one day I will have a successful group practice of my own. Two friends and I are working toward a private practice that we hope to be up and running as soon as possible. I — this is my personal plan — am hoping to work part time or three-quarter time at an agency as the client base for this practice gets built up and going.

So I am on the prowl. Looking for the perfect job now that I have excellent qualifications (thanks to our friends at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary/Cornerstone University and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary), more than enough experience for an entry-level clinical therapist, and a new day with dreams to fund! Pray for me!!