Dreams, Occupations, Credentials

As a small child, you watch the world. You get to learn about different things about the people you watch.  Some of these people inspire you to dream. You might even start thinking about what you want to be when you grow up. I know as a child, I used to have an old typewriter that I used to put paper in and just hit the keys, sometimes not even really typing words, but pretending to type letters. My Dad started bringing me old papers from work that I had set up in a filing system in my bedroom. I used to pretend I was an office worker. (Funny how this was early training for my career path.)  Later as I started being inspired by many different occupations in this life, my interest was in music. I aspired to be a classically trained opera singer. This dream was set after I attended a workshop at Riverside Community College of students who had classical music training. I had been exposed to opera as a child on a field trip. We rode a bus into Los Angeles and watched a Jack and the Beanstalk opera. It was the most wonderful experience I had ever heard. After that experience, I kept wanting to attend a school that would train me to meet this goal. Unfortunately, parents have their own ideas and impose them on you. They went as far as not preparing me on how I could set up my path to attend a college that could provide me financial assistance or what I would need to do to start the after high school process. I didn't learn this process until late into my career path. So I graduated high school and attended the local community college majoring in Business Administration and minoring in music. I was so sad after I graduated that I wasn't able to pursue my dream and attend universities like some of my classmates.

My first job was as a counter girl at Del Taco. I did this job over the summer in order to pay for my books for community college. As I attended college, I would volunteer to gain work experience for an Optometrist where my parents worked. I would do minor clerical organization. After a year and a half of attending community college, I wanted to earn money to start paying my way through life. I applied for several jobs and was denied them due to my lack of work experience. So, I got discouraged, but then learned I could go a vocational route and learn the on the job tasks while attending Skadron College of Business. I received my secretarial certificate from this college and started working for the State Board of Equalization as a Clerk I through Audit Control. I had learned that State, Federal and Local Government jobs were the best to work for as you set your career goals and savings.

I held the following positions in my life: Church Secretary, Accounts Payable/Receivable Clerk, Administrative Assistant, Legal Secretary, Executive Secretary, Kelly Temporary Secretary/Clerk, Temporary Executive Secretary to the Superintendent, Executive Secretary to the Superintendent, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent and ending my career my last 12 years as a Human Resources Manager for a school district. Throughout my career in a school district, I had continued education both in Clerical and Human Resources. Due to my career path and opportunities that were extended to me by the District, I made a lucrative career, but it wasn't always that way. After I retired, it was my goal to become a Walmart Greeter/Cashier. I worked that job for 8 months.

Sometimes situations and circumstances change dreams. I remember one evening after getting home from a temporary position, after two of my divorces, I was sitting with my two small children. I had run out of money and food. We sat at the dinner table and I heated up the last three burritos that I had in the freezer. I gave my children their burritos and a small side with beverage. As I sat down to eat, I saw that they had already finished their meals and looked at me for more to eat, I told them that they could split my burrito if they were still hungry. At first they said no that I needed to eat (I was starving.), but I told them I really wasn't hungry and that I had a late lunch. After they ate, I got them ready for bed. First, I made a call to my husband who at this point was living with his mother (a common escape for him) and not suffering to near the extend me and my children were. I told him that he had a responsibility as a father to provide when I fell short. I demanded that he bring food over, enough for two weeks so I could feed myself and my family. After he agreed, I hung up the phone. Then I went into my room and sobbed. I asked God to forgive me for failing to meet the needs of my children and asked if he could provide me with a substantial job so that I could support myself and my children. Soon after, I was transferred temporarily to a school district. The pay was horrible, but brought in just enough money to pay rent, gas, utilities and food. After a month of driving 25 miles each way, it started taking a financial toll on me, so I met with the Superintendent and she offered me a Temporary job with the District as an Executive Secretary to the Superintendent and started me on Step 1 of the Salary Schedule. From that day forward, I never had to ever tell my children no to providing their basic and beyond basic needs. God had beyond answered my prayer in His time. I was so financially blessed. Now that I am retired, because of the school district job and State Board of Equalization job, I have a wonderful pension and social security, which is substantial to support my household and beyond.

Understand that God put individuals in my life at the right time that helped advance me at each step of my career ladder. My biggest regret was that I never achieved a formal education. Because of this, my children were taught the importance of education. I have a son with a doctorate, a daughter with a bachelor's degree and two younger sons finishing up their bachelors degrees this coming year.

I will be writing about some of the wonderful things that happened to me in each of these steps as my blog progresses. If I were to give one word of counsel to those who are reading this blog who are young and those building their careers, learn the education process and following your passions without jeopardizing your relationships that are around you. Find balance!! Because I didn't learn how to do these things systematically while I was young, things were hard for me. I worked very long hours and sacrificed much to provide. Be sure to take time for yourself and your loved ones, because before you know it -- you'll have become consumed by the noise of ambition and work politics. Take those accumulated vacation days!!! I may have taken a different path, but my last job as a Human Resources Manager was the most rewarding position I ever had -- I loved everything about that job!! Find a job you like waking up to go to.

As I close out this blog, I just want to share that I have never understood people who steal from other people. I've had my share of things being stolen from me and it is such a violation. Especially if you have worked hard to get what was stolen. After having several things stolen, rather than getting upset, I've talked myself into believing that they must have needed it more than me. As I was looking for verses to go with this blog, this one resonated with me.

"Let him who stole, steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need." Ephesians 4:28

As you receive blessings, be generous and cheerful in your giving to others.