[humanser] research etc.

Wed Oct 7 00:29:41 UTC 2015

Ashley, 

I have two undergraduate degrees; an Associates in Human Services and a B.
S. in Recreation & Leisure Studies, with a concentration in Therapeutic
Recreation. My academic knowledge is 30 years old. I've had long gaps
between jobs. All most all of my jobs were part-time. I did was
under-employed when I worked as an Activities Director. There was a gap
after those short-term jobs. Then I was a co-apartment manager with my
former husband. I did most of the work because he was deployed or attending
night school. Again, there was a long gap. Then I landed a year-long job as
a Disability Awareness Coordinator. That was twenty years ago. Three years
later I was hired, with a lot of reluctance, by a local municipality as a
Recreation Leader II. Typically, this type of position is held by
individuals with high school experience or college students in need of
part-time employment. There were double-standards when it came to advancing.
I encountered a lot of discrimination. The union wasn't much help as I was
only part-time and did not have access to their representation officially. I
loved the actual job and I adored my first supervisor. He let me reach for
the stars! I got burnt out on the abusive and constrictions and left the
job. I worked very part-time as a Parent Educator... One supervisor went
many extra miles to support and accommodate me. The second supervisor made
my life Hell. I worked for a few months as an In-Home Support Services
worker. I disliked the work. I haven't held a paid job in almost nine years.
I've done some volunteer work. Even so, one of the hospice programs made it
quite clear I was not welcomed... During this major unemployment gap I've
taken the time to work through personal struggles... I have received so much
support from the mental health community... I am pursuing employment as a
Peer Specialist. I want very much to specialize in the geriatric
population... By the way, I also have 27 units in gerontology. Lol. 

From,
Lisa Irving 

-----Original Message-----
From: humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ashley
Bramlett via humanser
Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2015 5:02 PM
To: Human Services Division Mailing List
Cc: Ashley Bramlett
Subject: Re: [humanser] GRE Preparation Materials in Accessible Formats

Lisa,

Do you have a degree? I cannot remember if you were practicing social work
or anything at this point or are you trying to get education to pursue a
career in human services?

This caught my attention when you said you excell at research and papers. I
am not bad at research. I use the abstracts as my guide to determine whether
to read an article. Where I struggle with scholarly articles is
understanding them amidst the jargon and picking out what I need among a
long 20 plus page article.
As I have low vision, I use human readers for books and despite using a
table of contents, I find it challenging to find what info I need in a book
unless the contents has really clearly titled chapters making it obvious.
I think you could help me by telling me pointers for research.
So, I would like to chat off list if that's okay regarding tips for research
and papers.
I need to write a paper soon for my history elective.

Now to your comment.
Yes, I have heard what Michael said. Its true not all schools require the
GRE.
Check the admissions requirements, and you might also get around it by
demonstrating skills some other way such as a portfolio.
You are not alone in having trouble with standardized exams. If your goal is
grad school, I'm sure you can find a way without the GRE. Its easier though
to take it and get in the standard way, but if you know you cannot do well
on it, its worth looking at other options.

Good luck!

Ashley

-----Original Message-----
From: Lisa Irving via humanser
Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2015 5:04 PM
To: 'Human Services Division Mailing List'
Cc: Lisa Irving
Subject: Re: [humanser] GRE Preparation Materials in Accessible Formats

Hello,

I am very interested about what you said in terms of not all schools require
the GRE. I've never done well on standardized testing. I excel in the areas
of research, writing papers and taking open-book exams. Yes, open-book exams
are often much harder than multiple choice.

Lisa

-----Original Message-----
From: humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Michael
Abell via humanser
Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2015 1:55 PM
To: 'Human Services Division Mailing List'
Cc: Michael Abell
Subject: Re: [humanser] GRE Preparation Materials in Accessible Formats

Hello,
I think that it is important to think outside the box on education.
Not all schools require the GRE for admission. These programs are also
fundable by VR. Broaden your search and you may find a much more acceptable
path!

Regards,

Michael "Big Dog" Abell

Helping individuals to find their eyes in the dark.
(480) 369-0805

-----Original Message-----
From: humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ashley
Bramlett via humanser
Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2015 1:51 PM
To: Human Services Division Mailing List
Cc: Ashley Bramlett
Subject: Re: [humanser] GRE Preparation Materials in Accessible Formats

Hi Christina,

If you have not taken it, good luck on the GRE. If you do pass, tell  us.
I wish you success as you try to get into grad school!
I wanted badly to work with my bachelor's degree in  mainly psychology; I
say mainly as it was an interdisciplinary degree in the liberal arts
department that I created. However, I'm still searching; I'm interested in
human services such as case management some job where you refer clients to
other places, or being an activity coordinator or something in
communications.
This email was of interest to me as I may pursue grad school someday soon
and will have to grapple with the standardized exams like the GRE.

I'm concerned about securing accomodations too. I know ETS has improved
accomodations a lot, and I even took praxis when my major was education. But
some exams ETS administers does not allow use of  a screen reader.

I'm also curious wich accomodations you chose to use if you cannot use their
version of a screen reader? Will you get it in braille, or have it read to
you aloud?

I certainly agree that ETS takes a while to approve accomodations; three
weeks sounds right. But really, given they are a large company for the
nation, I suspect they cannot work any faster. Its frustrating, I know, but
realistically, how can they be much faster. Yes, it sucks we have to apply
and plan way in advance of everyone else, but I also understand why we need
to do it.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Ashley

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