: Returning to school...

[Guest guest]

Hi :

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!! There are many folks that have gone back to

complete their degrees or get new ones due to our current economy. I am “one”

of those folks. It has been an incredible journey for me. I wish that for you.

As I work towards my Bachelor’s in family services I am reminded that when a

teacher asked students in the 80’s, “How many of you upon completing your

degree, believe you will get a job?” Back then 100% raised their hand and did.

Ask the question today to University students and you will be lucky to get

anyone to raise their hand due to our current economy. Depressing to some, but

you need to want the degree for YOUR reasons. I know many who could not go the

distance or are noe change their minds for different reasons and it ids OK if it

is OK with YOU!

My degree I just got is in Addiction Studies/Psychology and it has been a road

of self reflection. Learning about family dynamics from my personal experience

with my family rules, roles, cultural values to how the environment helped shape

my perspective on life, was the best therapy I ever received. I had to do the

work and it was painful at times. I had to address my own bad behavior and how

that influenced the choices I have made in during my life span.

As a child I always wanted to go into social work. My mother who later became a

Director for Children Services in California said, “NO!” You are too

companionate and have too much empathy. Well, times have changed and this is

one of many qualities they now look for. You can be strong and compassionate at

the same time. Being arrogant and treating clients like garbage is no longer a

good quality to have and does not work in the field. I am NOT saying that was a

requirement years ago, but barking orders at folks do not motivate them to

change. Now a day you have to be aware of cultural differences and respectful.

People have always said, you are a good listerner and non judgemental. You will

make a GREAT counselor. The reality is, I am judgemental, I just never aired my

thoughts in public, OK I have slippoed a few times. lol Then I had to deal

with " where " these thoughts were coming from. lol We all have them. It

explained choices I made in my life when I was younger all grounded in my

childhood and the enviroment I was exposed too. I grew up in the SF Bay Area

that was home to diversity and yet their were barriers when I was growing up I

did not cross. It was embedded in me. Now, i realize it was fear and thinking

errors. Issues like racism and poverty are intergernerational. They can be

subtle. My family was open to all races but had a bottom line. You marry up

and not down and they saw " down " as the color of ones skin. Be friends, but

never marry. I was just a kid and took on some of these roles. We also had a

family rule that was a " don't ask, don't tell policy " . " What is said in the

family, STAYS in the family " . This rule was in a zillion families back in my

day. Enough of me.

I don’t want to make this about me and take the spot light off of you and I

apologize if I did. I just want to say, “Good for you!” I have loved the

interaction and critical thinking components and it has made me a better and

more rounded individual.

I have actually met some students that have disclosed they have AS. It makes

one look at life through new lens, especially in today’s times.

I wish you the best!

Others back in school?????????