Do you remember your very first job?
In my high school Senior year, (GO TIGERS!) I worked as a dietary aid/waitress at a retirement home. 90% of the kitchen staff were high school students. The job was attractive to us because the schedule was flexible, it was only 3 hours after school, and management worked around extracurricular activities like games and tournaments. This was an added benefit since I was a member of the baddest dance team this side of the Mason Dixon line, The Little Rock Central High – HighSteppers! I needed a customized schedule to attend games and get the crowd going in the stands and at half-time. I can still hear the beat of the drums as we marched around the track. But enough of the trip down memory lane; the job was also easy and always entertaining. The amount of drama amongst the senior residents rivaled any modern-day soap opera.
I remember getting that first paycheck and thinking, WOW, I have my OWN money. Even though I was earning minimum wage of $5.15/ hour, I felt accomplished and proud to have the job. There’s power in knowing that you can get what you want, when you want it, without having to ask for permission or for the funds. That job ended once I graduated and went to college but after that, I found myself looking for other jobs to help maintain that independence I grew to love.
I worked at the Pizza Hut call center taking orders for ‘Deep Dish Pan Peperoni Pizzas, The Gap folding clothes for hours on end, the University Call center, calling alumni guilting them into making donations, and a summer program as a teacher aide, my least favorite. These jobs helped me financially when I needed and allowed me to discover the industries and environments I preferred, and those to avoid.
I’ve had my share of jobs I disliked and even a write-up (or 2) and let’s not forget the 5 day suspension. I’m sure I’m not the only one to have encountered incompetent supervisors, nosey coworkers, or irate customers. But even while experiencing the turmoil and secretly praying for a better job, being involuntarily relieved of my duties was never a good alternative.
My desire to help people is a natural part of my DNA and I knew that my career would entail guiding people to improve their lives. I’m blessed to work in the field for which I’ve earned my degrees and have worked in the social services and counseling industry for…, well many years. I heard about this happening to other people and knew that it would eventually happen to me, but still, I was not prepared.
The day started like every other day; awaken, meditate, get cute, grab a smoothie, rush to work, and be a bad-ass counselor for my clients. And that’s just what I was doing! I can say with certainty that my counseling was the crème de la crème, Top Notch, A1; my counseling was giving what it was supposed to give! And on this day, because of not only the support and guidance that I provided but the work that my client did OUTSIDE of the office, my client terminated services.
The progress was undeniably recognizable. The self-confidence improved and the posture became more upright. The ability to create boundaries and communicate desires and dislikes was pronounced. My client happily ended meaningless relationships and fully owned and knew her worth. Implementing tools and techniques that we reviewed and entering difficult conversations was met with ease. The goals were accomplished and her new state of being was to thrive in the face of adversity and no longer identify as a ‘people-pleaser.’ She was now a priority and was unapologetic about it. I was proud to see the increase in self awareness and processing of emotions and was honored to have been instrumental in the changes; but I must admit, I was saddened in knowing our time had come to an end.
My philosophy and practice on mental health counseling is to meet clients where they are, facilitate self-discovery, process current distress, and teach clients how to work through any future stressors independently. Counseling can be life-long if so desired; however, I choose to practice from the perspective that each of us has the ability to adequately cope with any adversity if provided with proper guidance.
Anyone working in the mental health industry is familiar with high turnover, which generally refers to the frequent and consistent resigning of workers and shortage of staff. But most don’t talk about the high turnover of clients as they reach their goals and close out their case. My journey of varied occupations, employers, and disciplinary actions at said employers, has given me a well-rounded and concrete view of what I will accept at work and what I am willing to do to ‘keep a job’. I consider myself a model employee and business owner, and in any other circumstance would shudder at the thought of being told, “your services are no longer needed,” but if my clients’ healing is on the other side of a pink slip then I welcome and look forward to hearing,
You’re FIRED!
If you’ve ever been terminated, written up, or received a corrective action, comment below and tell me all about it.
