Back to the Real World

Whew! My head is still spinning from my past week at training. I didn't know what I was getting myself into. So, when I found out we were having a test each morning and homework each night, I was slightly perturbed.

I found it very difficult to be a family man and be a part of this training. I usually had to wait until 9:00pm each night to start my homework.

Just to give you some background on this training; It's a two and a half week intensive to become an Offender Workforce Development Specialist. Basically, it's a training to make me a better advocate for offenders in the workforce.

The practicum is pretty intense. I have a log I have to keep, so they know I'm doing the work, assessments to administer to my residents, a ten minute presentation on a topic from the training, and a thirty minute interview session with an offender using the skills from training. I have two weeks to complete the practicum. I'm only slightly nervous.

My hope is that I can use this training to help me progress not only where I am, but beyond. I love what I do. I couldn't ask for a better position, but we all know the pay is less than I deserve.

When I finish this certification process I will have a credential to my name, college credit hours, a network of individuals in the field across Ohio and better facilitation skills necessary for teaching/training and giving presentations. Pray I keep my sanity.