As some of you may or may not know this past fall I took a job in Lynchburg at the Public Defenders office. I left a job I love to gain more experience working primarily in the adult criminal justice field, a huge pay increase, along with the benefits that come along with a state agency (primarily all the paid days off :). When I say a job I love I mean it. As frustrating as the "system" may be at times I felt like what I was doing made a difference. I had worked so hard to earn respect in Roanoke and in my field. I had created working relationships with various outside agencies. And I felt like I was making an impact on the juveniles I worked with. However, being a single mom of 2 teenage girls the increase in pay was my calling. It never occured to me that I wouldn't get the position. I knew I was qualified. I was confident. And I was right. I took the job. My first week I knew in my heart and my gut that this was not what I wanted to do for the rest of my life but thought it was just because I was the "new kid on the block." Nope. It was the people I worked with (who thought that I worked for, big difference). Not quite 3 weeks later I was calling my old boss asking if I could still come back. I was fortunate enough to be allowed to come back. I put in a 2 week notice and returned to my position with DJJ and a huge cut in pay.
I learned a very valuable lesson. (several acutally)
- Money does NOT buy happiness
- I want to make a difference in this world, not just go to work to pay the bills
- My work has to have meaning
- My working relationships with other agencies is imperative to effective outcomes
- Never look down on others you "think" are beneath you (as I was treated and did NOT tolerate)
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