Sometimes it takes years for a person to know why they are studying a certain major, or working a particular field. One may sit there questioning what got them to that place and if it was the right path. I think I am blessed to have been granted all doors to a variety of paths and left to choose which I want to take and work on where it will lead me.
It’s coming close to two months since I got to Wales, to be honest not much classwork or studying is done, pretty much it is all up to me and how I run my show. Taking me a while to adjust to that, but I am getting there. “You decide what you do with your time, only you decide if you want to read, write, discuss, think, anything. There is no right or wrong. There is no do or don’t. At this stage of your life it is up to you to manoeuvre your career.” Says my lecturer whom I have grown to have a lot of respect and admiration to.
My first of 4 work placements this year was at Careers Wales, small office, close knit team, family like atmosphere and the most hardworking bunch of individuals I have ever come across. They welcomed me, asked me a lot about myself, my past, my plans and really embraced my interest in their field of work. I was thrown in the deep end but never alone, someone always held my hand and made sure to not let go until I confirmed I could tread water. A week that opened my eyes to the world of career guidance and counseling, allowing me to implement first-hand the core elements (Listening, observing, discussing, deciding and finally advising) of advising and dealing with adults made redundant, people with disabilities, college students and my core group of study, adolescents.
Never in my life have I had to deal with children who have been raped, or adults who have sever progressing diseases. I had to shake myself up a couple of times to get myself back on track and not let my emotions take me astray. Made me more determined to take on all that I can from this experience and bring it home. God knows how many people need help, support and guidance. There’s so much out there, just not exposed to the right people in the right way. Big plans for when I get home, but that’s for another blog, not this.
I guess this time; the dedication goes out to every single member of Careers Wales, Pontypridd office for all their hard work and commitment to what they do. It takes a lot to wake up every morning and know you are about to meet someone who literally says “I don’t know what to do with my life” and you take responsibility in helping them shape that up again. I salute you all, thank you for allowing me to part of your team and showing me how humanitarians work.
