Okay so overall today was a pretty good day. It was rainy, but the day went by really fast especially when you work a 9-5 job like me. Anyway let me jump to why I am blogging tonight. So I was registering for a workshop that my Alma mater was having. I thought to myself, why do I have to register under my school email address. So I decided to clean out my email by erasing old emails that are no longer important, to leave room in my email in case I get a confirmation back from my school. That's when I saw it. A job recruitment form from AmeriCorps VISTA. Whoever said that AmeriCorps does not help a person find a job was lying. Anywho (I know that's not a real word, I just like saying it.lol.) the email in a nutshell offered me a job.
The job however is located in St. Louis, Missouri. The recruiter for the job stated that they found my information through AmeriCorps. They are offering to help house me for a very cheap rate and utilities will be included along with moving and traveling expenses. As you all know I am a AmeriCorps Vista and the job would be through AmeriCorps again. So it is a real job, not a spam. It is a great opportunity and it is a legitimate opportunity as well. Basically my job title would be Health and Transportation VISTA. She also emailed me the job description for the position. The job looks VERY interesting because I love working with the elderly population. This is what I do in a nut shell.....
| The goal of the VISTA Project is to promote successful aging by supporting our seniors to live safely in their homes, lead a physically and spiritually active life, and remain socially engaged in their community. The Health/Transportation VISTA will increase the quality of life of seniors through health promotions coordination and the Ready, Set, Go transportation program for seniors to their medical appointments and worship services. |
She also broke down in about 4 more pages of what I would be doing as well. BUT I realize this is a blog, so I am not going to bore you all with a extremely long blog post. haha.
Part III: I got a Dilemma
If I accept the job I will start exactly 2 days after my first contract ends. They would also train me for a week in the month of June or July. Ok so here is my dilemma I got accepted into 3 graduate schools. I have already deferred 2 already to do AmeriCorps for 1 year. I just recently applied to a third graduate school and I got accepted as well. I can defer the 3rd school for one year, however the other two if I choose to take this job would mean that I would have to reapply to those schools again for the following year.....Okay here is 2nd dilemma...Money. Ok many do not know, but I am a military dependent. And the military has been paying for my college education....however it is until I turn 26... I am 24 NOW! If I take this opportunity, I will have a few months to use the remaining monies of my benefits. However this job is something that would be a great opportunity.
I am very analytical about EVERYTHING. So I am weighting my options and I weighing my opinions. I am also trying to looking at the pros and cons of this situation. I called my Alma mater to find out exactly how many months of my educational benefits I have left and IF I can possibly extend it.( Its a Huge possibility that the government will say no, but I am going to give it a try.lol) AmeriCorps is already paying for a semester of school and if I continue to do AmeriCorps again for a second year then that means, I will have one full year of graduate school that will be paid for. Those are two pros BUT call me greedy, but I want as much free money as possible. So I do not want to age out of my money. You feel me?
I emailed the woman, and I told her that I was interest. I also got a really good friend of mines to help me write up a gr8 cover letter. Special shout out and thanks goes to her! I am honored and flattered that they thought of me to even offer me a job. I am from Virginia, and I wasn't quite sure how far Missouri was in driving distant. I typed in my GPS the address of where I will be working, if I take the position and it is 772 Miles from Virginia. Distance is not a issue for me mainly because I do not have a comfort zone. lol. I love meeting new people and learning new things. There is a possibility that I might get homesick, I gr8ly doubt it, but there is a possibility that could happen, But I will be fine. Plus I am a member of the largest black sorority in the world. I can easily join a alumnae chapter and mingle with Sorors that can introduce me to people in the area. But before I just up and move, I need to see where I am moving and if this job and area will be a good fit for me. Also I would need to see the housing they are provided me with for little to nothing cost. I also looked up the cost of living in the area as well to see if I can even afford the area.
This job could be a very good job and marketing opportunity for me. I applied to graduate schools to receive my Masters in Social Work. AmeriCorps itself in a sense is a social work like job. Mainly because you are serving and helping those in need and AmeriCorps main focus is to eliminate poverty. I like working with the elderly population and if I take this job that would be something else to add to my already long resume. So that is a pro as well.
Part VII: Where I am
I think my determine factor would be money and making sure my VA benefits are good. I am truly thankful to A. Been Accepted into 3 graduate schools and the options to even choose. B.Choose to leave or stay in the state of VA C. Have my housing cover D. Be offered the opportunity to move to a new state and city....
