As an alchemist, I seek transitions. I see the lead around me, particularly in mental health and wellbeing, and I can just imagine all the silver beneath it.

In May, I applied for my first ever full-time job. I then applied for my second at the end of June. By the end of August, of the nine applications, I had five interviews: one in social work, one for a PhD, two in youth work and one in mental health. It’s now the end of October, and I’ve secured a job.

Expectations of a Dream

Since I was young, I’ve flitted between interests and enjoyments. Other than swimming, karate and my first degree, I’ve never stuck to one thing for more than a year. And even then, I took three types of swimming, and did a second degree in a different area.

A couple of weeks ago, I was asked what my dream job would be. Without thinking, I said a Falconer. Secondly, my dream of working with people who experience domestic abuse. Third, my love of running anger management and life skills courses. Fourth, I LOVE teaching Shivanata. But then I love learning and would love to do another degree.

If I picture my life in five years, I’m a housewife and stay-at-home mum; writing novels and painting.

So your guess is as good as mine.

Seeking the Silver

I’ve attributed this to my ability to seek possibility and potential in any space. All the jobs I apply for; from the hospital staff jobs involving cleaning patients to the funded PhD student jobs, have a silver lining I can truly grasp hold of and love.

I wrote a piece for Emmanuelle about my “why” in life, and I can see that opportunity in most job roles in the social care or wellbeing sectors.

“I know that my purpose here is to teach people to help themselves, teach them how to research, to reach out and connect. I’m not here to help you each time you fall; I’m here to teach you how you can get yourself back up again.”

So far, I’ve refurbished the Alchemy Forge to provide services in brain-training, energy healing, word-smithing and self-connecting. These are tools I use in my every day life, and intend to carry into my next job with me, to turn the iron or lead into silver and gold.

Now I’ve been offered a job working with families; teaching life skills and assessing the wellbeing of children. I can see how it fits in with my “dream”.

The Challenges

However, all the jobs I have experienced and think about doing in the future are emotionally challenging. I want to help people in bad places; so I’m going to see bad places, and meet people who are in them. I’m working in an area where this is common and I am well-trained. I know what I’m getting into.

My partner is a foundation doctor, working in a children’s unit. He got into the job to help people who aren’t well. But instead, he’s reporting child abuse and treating babies with cracked skulls.

He didn’t sign up for that. I signed up for helping with child abuse. I worked my way up from working with adults to children, from depression to hospitalised conditions… to children at risk in their own homes.

My partner just wants to help make people’s lives better. But my partner has to treat a parent who has caused lasting damage to a baby like any other person. He has to bite his tongue and sit on his hands as this parent asks when they can go home.
All jobs have challenges. I know I’m specifically going into a challenging field, which is looked upon as wholly negative by a lot of families. I feel that I can deal with it because I can see the iron and change it into gold.

But I don’t know how anyone else deals with it. If anyone earns my compassion, it’s the doctors and the teachers who aren’t there with the purpose of seeing abuse; but have to deal with it anyway.

Your Input

How did you choose your current job?
What lessons have you learned about job-seeking?
What tools would you find most useful in your roles?
How do you deal with anything you didn’t expect?

– Rose –