September, 2009 - I quit my job at Wells Fargo and decide to change career paths. I will say this to anyone who will listen....working banks or anything revolving around financial services will suck the soul right out of you. It takes a person who can absolutely separate their moral conscience from themself while at the office to withstand that sort of environment. I can't do that no matter hard I try... and I tried for a very long time. I've been working in banking/financial services since 2002 and it's really the only thing on my resume. And now? I'm OUT!
December, 2009: So I've been looking for jobs (unsuccessfully) for four months....and finally I find one!! Sort of. Then I interview and get offered a position!! Sort of. I know, I know...Here's what I mean by sort of:
In high school (senior year) I used to work for AmeriCorps tutoring at-risk children. I really loved my time there, and when I started looking for non-profit jobs I stumbled upon some AmeriCorps listings. Long story short, I work for a non-profit called Foundation Communities doing volunteer coordination but am paid through AmeriCorps.
How it works: non-profits apply to AmeriCorps to see if they can get volunteers, and AmeriCorps reviews the non-profit and grants positions as needed. So, that's me! Here's the catch: Salary. There is none! You get a monthly living stipend that (believe me) is very minimal, and also health benefits.
So you may be asking yourself...why did you take the position? Well, because I want to work in non-profit. I have relatively no experience in this field, and it's all about who you know, because there are about a billion other people competing for jobs in this sector and they all have advanced degrees. So I need a leg up, and here it is! So it's going to be a time of "tightening up the belt" for a year/year and a half, but I really think it will be worth it. Foundation Communities is AMAZING and has so many programs, including affordable housing for low-income families, tutoring and mentoring programs, free tax preparation, free financial coaching and help for students who are pursuing higher education...just to name a few. Here are the programs I help run!
Cash for College
and
Financial Coaching
In the mean time, I'm continuing with doing my volunteer coordination with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in addition to my new job. I coordinate the speakers for their In Our Own Voice program, which allows consumers to speak about their journey through mental illness and the mental health system, acceptence of their illness and their subsequent recovery. I love it! There's also the added benefit of it being theraputic for me because of my mother. While the of loss of her has diminished over time, it can still be a daily battle.
On another note, NEW HAIR!
I tried, but I absolutely cannot take a regular picture of myself, so....sorry!
ok. i stalk you everywhere apparently. BUT! (RANT WARNING!) having worked for wells fargo for five years and i AGREE STRONGLY (see the caps?) that financial services are souleating lifegobblins. but at least when you escape, you try to dive head first into something that you love. i will NEVER EVER EVER (heart crossing, needles to eyes, etc) go back to finance. yuck. i'd rather eat poo. :) LOVE YOU! ~cousin sarah
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