[humanser] Questions

[Ericka Short]

Amy, welcome first of all.

Justin is right that having a masters opens the job choices considerably. 
He's also right that  you can't get off SSDI without the masters.  Marrying 
rich  is about the only other way and that doesn't always work out.  Not 
that I married rich and would know.It depends on what your dreams are and 
many other life situations. My degree is in social work.  I'm in about the 
same boat as you but have some experience behind me and am finally certified 
in my state for social work.  First I suggest you see if you can be licensed 
in your state for social work even though you have the psych degree.  I took 
the NASW exam and the state statutes exam for WI and am just awaiting my 
license. It isn't impossible to work without licensing or a masters, but you 
are limited that is for sure.  I don't know what age you want to work with. 
I worked as an activity aide at a nearby nursing home for six years part 
time to get experience.  I could walk so it took the  transit issue out of 
the equation and we didn't have to drive residents anywhere most of the time 
so it wasn't in the essential requirements of the job.  The only thing I 
drove was  wheelchairs!  Look into  what your state has for licensing and 
that will help direct you.  Don't hesitate to talk to the campus  career 
center.  They have given me lots of help even though I graduated 15 years 
ago.  They know more about your own state and  what the needs are for 
certain jobs.  If you have a focus they can help you more on some answers 
than we can.  we  are allover, but they can  help for state specific things. 
Transit is a toughie and it also depends on where you live.  There are some 
low cost county services here in my WI county that  I have used which are 
reliable and I have help at times from  church members I am close to.  Not 
everyone has that kind of connection.  You might be able to carpool with a 
coworker later, but you have to find a way to get there in the beginning. 
IF you are  SSDI  some states have rules that you can keep your assistance 
while  working because work expenses are subtracted from the real amount 
leaving you with  lower earnings in the end.  I don't know much about how 
the state rules and federal rules differ so that is something someone else 
can post here.  IF you can swing it, take the part time job that  suits you 
and keep the benefits for a while until you have the masters and other 
things researched and planned.  Any experience out of school right away 
will help you down the  road.

My job I am awaiting either a rejection or offer for is in another 
city/county and it is part time.  Make sure you know their definition of 
part time.  For this job it is 25 /week. I had to  talk to the benefits 
specialist to  see what it would do if I took it.  I think I will work for 
me and I have transit figured out.  Again this is a job that doesn't require 
a license to do the  job and if there are situations where it would be nice 
I have some ideas around it.  Not having the job I can't really comment 
because the plans I think will work night not.  The job is a social service 
coordinator position at a HUD apartment building for the disabled and 
elderly.  Some of my activity plans like  getting to  attend a  church 
festival might be a little work because of liability, insurance and other 
important things.  The building doesn't have a van so we'd have to work with 
the churches to find a way for them to attend.  Fireworks is nether 
community opportunity for them to enjoy and it would be great if we could 
work with the city to get them there and back.  As you can see, whether I'm 
blind or sighted this transit issue would be a problem if I were planning an 
off-site activity.

For other issues, write me offline.  Hope I've been of some help and if not, 
at least interesting.  Good luck with your efforts and don't give up the 
hunt.  There is something for you whether you are a partial like me or 
total.

Ericka J. Short

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". Philippians 4:13

"No hand is too small or too big to do good in this world." EJ. Short