Two interviews done

[Crankin]

So today I had 2 out of the 3 interviews I have booked. They both went well, but I think I have eliminated the second place. Not totally going to say no, because #1 might really hate me, although I don't think that is the case.
#1 is with the MA Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. They do lots of advocacy as well as having mental health clinics all over the state, adoption services, and programs for teen mothers, fathers, etc. It is doing counseling with kids/teens and their families mostly in their homes or schools. I would be based out of the city where I have been interning (Lowell), and would be serving clients there, but also in a lot of the surrounding towns, some very close to where I live. I would have to drive to Lawrence once a week for supervision (35 minutes). I can work .80 time or full time, which is 37.5 hours a week. You can bill for lots of stuff when you do in home therapy, like paperwork, etc and they reimburse you for travel. The supervision and professional development seems good. The 2 people I talked with seemed mellow and made a point to tell me they help you deal with the "productivity" requirements.
#2 is based out of central MA, with the office in Fitchburg. It takes the same amount of time to get to the office as it does to get to Lawrence, but it is a bit further. The drive, though, seemed very long, as it's out of the usual areas i go to. It is the same type of work, but it is all in home therapy and not only would I have to drive to the office, but I'd be driving all over places that I am not familiar with to go to the clients. And the families are very very needy and in some "sketchy" neighborhoods. Generally, I am not afraid of this, it's more that #1 involves going to places I am familiar with, and the sketchy neighborhoods are not so scary to me. #2 is full time, 40 hours a week. The case loads are lower because the work is so intensive, but the productivity requirements are a bit higher. The supervision seems good here, too. I liked the woman, she was a bit older than the other 2, but also down to earth. I hope #1 calls me back before #2... I don't want any issues. I would work at #2 if nothing else came up, but, I am hoping that doesn't happen.
I have another interview on June 1st, with a clinic that is in a different area than both of these, but I am pretty sure it is working with substance abuse clients at the clinic, no home visits. I have mixed feelings about this place to begin with, but I am going on every interview that calls me.
I will be away for about a week, so I am hoping this works to my advantage.

[redrhodie]

The first one sounds really good. I bet they don't hate you.

[Catrin]

How can they hate you? Crossing everything I have that #1 calls you before anyone else does!

[shootingstar]

Good luck Crankin. I'm sure your prior work as a teacher will considered into all the mix as well as counselling.

[OakLeaf]

Sending #1 thoughts your way. Good luck!

[emily_in_nc]

Crossing everything for you! It would be nice to have more than one option, but I certainly hope you at least get an offer from the #1 place! Would it leave you enough time/flexibility for lots of riding?

[indysteel]

Good luck, Crankin! I know I'd hire you!

[Crankin]

Emily, it would leave me enough time, since I wouldn't have to be there until at least 9 AM, some days 10, and I have been getting up at 5-5:30 to ride a few miles a couple of days a week since last fall. Not long rides, but really I never rode more than 15 miles when i was riding after work. The difference is that I won't have summers off, so that's why I am thinking of the .80 hours. I would be working 4 days a week. This is so much on my mind, but I can't let it drive my decision. I won't be able to commute, since I will be driving to different client's schools and homes. I wonder what a person would think if I rode to their home on my bike ? Some of the communities they serve are not more than 10 miles away. Probably not... If I do the .80 it will increase the time I take to get my hours for my independent license. Not much, though, maybe 2-3 months. That means I'll be closing in on my 60th birthday .
The agency sponsors employees to do the Rodman Ride for Kids... a huge ride I did once with DH, when we were sponsored by his company. There's a huge fund raising commitment. That went a long way in my mind when I saw it on the web site. The 2 women I met with today were wearing pedometers as part of a walking challenge. I liked that.

[emily_in_nc]

I am all for a shorter work week! I think it sounds pretty ideal; other than the fact that you can't commute to work, but neither can I. That just doesn't work for everyone. We all do the best we can, and at least it would give you enough time to get some weekday rides in during the nicer part of the year, either before or after work.

[Koronin]

Good luck!

[nancielle]

Good luck, Crankin. The positions sound interesting and challenging.