[humanser] introduction

Mon Dec 30 06:17:27 UTC 2013

Dear Sandy,

	If Ashley did join AmeriCorps , is there not a portion of their stipend put away for college?
Curiously, Darla

-----Original Message-----
From: humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Sandy
Sent: Monday, December 30, 2013 12:11 AM
To: Human Services Mailing List
Subject: Re: [humanser] introduction

Ashley,

For almost ten years I was coordinator of a program that matched, trained, placed volunteers in the community with people who were legally blind, or at the beginning of sight loss.  My volunteers helped with driving tasks, shopping,  writing checks/mail reading, and some helped in the office.  I worked there with no Master's.  A part of the job was outreach at community agencies and events to publicize our agency, educated those like visiting nurses in dealing with blind people, and I was in some groups with a variety of others who did similar work for their nonprofits.  I also got to write the newsletter, and to plan leisure activities.  Reading this now makes me sort of wish I were there now; after all the years I wanted another type of work.  When I found what I wanted, a more advanced degree was needed.  Now it is not enough experience in general, not experience with a specific population of people, or not a more advanced degree.  Does all of this ever end?  Maybe it never does end.

 I believe you can for sure be in case work (there is some type of short course available that gives a certificate in that field).  Perhaps you can try for an Americorps position which gives you training and some income.  I did part of an internship where I also served in Americorps.  You do not need to be in college, though many Americorps workers are college students.

Hope this is of some help.

Sandy

--------------------------------------------------
From: "JD Townsend" <43210 at Bellsouth.net>
Sent: Sunday, December 29, 2013 11:26 PM
To: "Human Services Mailing List" <humanser at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [humanser] introduction

>
> Hello and glad to have you on the list.
>
> Doing volunteer work will put your foot in the door.  A master's 
> degree helps, but much of the work in human services are done by case 
> managers and community organizers, folks with your qualifications.
>
> Your screen reader ought to be able to work in forms mode, a little 
> practice will get you used to  tabbing between fields.
>
> JD
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ashley Bramlett
> Sent: Sunday, December 29, 2013 7:45 PM
> To: Human Services Mailing List
> Subject: [humanser] introduction
>
> Hi all,
>
> This list has picked up steam in the last month or so. That is great. 
> I’m mostly a lurker, but with some time on my hands I wanted to 
> introduce myself and ask questions.
>
> I  noticed that many human service jobs require drivers licenses so 
> its good that you all are discussing it. I am glad to see some of you 
> have overcome the hurtles and are in your chosen field; we have 
> accessibility to computers issues and also the constant education 
> about what we can do issue.
>
> Well, about myself.
> I am a young visually impaired adult in Virginia. I grew up legally 
> blind as well and received accomodations in public school.  I also use 
> blindness tools where needed such as my white cane and braille and 
> Jaws. I have fairly good central vision.
>
> I am a Graduate of Marymount University with a BA in liberal studies; 
> long story, but I could not decide on a major and was too discouraged 
> with my original major of elementary education; so being a liberal 
> studies major meant that I combined two fields of study to complete my 
> degree; those fields were social science which mainly used my 
> psychology classes, and communication.
>
> I just earned a certificate in writing from our community college this 
> year, Northern virginia community college, nova, for short.
> Currently, I’m trying very hard to get volunteer experience in an 
> office and also assist people. I love the idea of assisting people at work.
>
> My career goal now is actually to just get an entry level office 
> position as a clerical assistant or program assistant.
> Its extremely hard though because everyone wants you to have 
> experience already, but you need a job for that experience. I had 
> internships in the government and at national crime prevention 
> council, but this is not enough experience.
> I’m also exploring careers to decide if I want to pursue something as 
> a professional and therefore go back to get a masters degree.
>
> That is why I’m on this list. If  I were to pursue a human service 
> career, I’d likely need a masters.
> I would go into  either social work, case work, an outreach 
> coordinator, volunteer coordinator, those positions to assist low 
> income people find housing which I’m not sure what its called, or just 
> something in community outreach.
> Other career interests I have are in communications which will not 
> require a masters; I love writing and putting people’s stories down; 
> so I could also see myself in development, event planning, public 
> affairs, journalism, and marketing.
>
> I would like to know who you all are and how you got into the field. 
> Given that I am not crazy about getting a masters as its so much work 
> and research, undergrad was a struggle with access to texts , I want 
> to get into something with a BA.
>
> I want to know if you can do something human service driven with a 
> Bachelors.
> If so, what? I see most of you have masters degrees. A few of you have 
> a BSW though.
>
> I realize you may be stuck at a certain level without that lovely 
> masters, but can you get into something with a bachelors? Could I be a 
> coordinator of community programs or do something with case work at a nonprofit?
> Another benefit to working like this, even as assistant to a manager, 
> is you get a feel for if you like the work, before spending a fortune 
> on grad school.
> Thanks for ideas. I have some questions about accomodations too which 
> will assist with any field.
>
> Ashley
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>
> JD Townsend LCSW
> Helping the light dependent to see.
> Daytona Beach, Earth, Sol System
>
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