The Debacle

As many of you know, I graduated in May with my degree in School Counseling. With the anticipation of graduating, I began applying for counseling positions in February. 

I was so excited and terrified when I had my first interview in March. Excited that I had the opportunity to begin my career. Terrified because part of the interview consisted of teaching a kindergarten class a lesson. I'm still waiting on a call about whether or not I got that job...

The rest of the school year I sent out applications that resulted in several emails telling me the positions had been filled. 

My next interview didn't happen until June, but it was exciting to get that call while I was laying on a beach in Hawai'i. I thought this interview went well, especially when they showed me around both schools I would be working in after originally giving me the choice to go to the middle school. The result? No job offer. 

The third interview was near camp, which made me super excited and hopeful. The interview went well and I was told I'd hear something within a few days. A few days turned into at least a week, but I was in contact with the principal every few days. One of these phone calls, I was told I was a finalist for the position. When I finally got the call, it was another "No". 

The fourth interview was just a few short weeks ago. I wasn't even going to go to the interview because of the flexible calendar schedule the school is on. It was a problem when I thought about camp. I decided to go anyway because it would at least be a job for the school year and I could find something else for next year. The principal put me through what she called "The Spanish Inquisition" then showed me around the school. I got a job offer on the spot! I accepted, then freaked out because they wanted me to start in two days. I had to find a place to live so I could start work. I left and looked for an apartment. Four hours after I got the job offer, the principal called and revoked the offer. The only thing she would tell me was that what my references said changed her mind. The only specific detail she gave me was that I didn't have a teaching degree. It made no sense though because I made that clear in my interview. There had to be more that my references said that I wasn't being told.

Needless to say, my references have now been changed on everything. If I had to guess who ruined the job offer for me, I could tell you in a heartbeat without any hesitation. The problem I have with this is that none of my internship supervisors expressed anything that would have made me think they would ruin a job offer for me. What did they say? What did I do wrong during my internship? How am I supposed to change if they don't tell me what I need to improve? How many other jobs didn't I get because of what my references said?

I had another job interview last week, with my new references. I would call this more of a "go-through-the-motion" interview though. Not for me, but for the school. They hired someone into the position that already worked in the school district, yet isn't qualified for the position.

I've let go of the anger, anxiety, and confusion of everything that has happened with these interviews. It doesn't do any good to hold onto these emotions. I've learned through each interview yet had more questions raised than answered.

I don't know exactly where I'm going from here. There aren't any counseling jobs open anymore as the school year has started in most places. I'll be licensed in both Iowa and South Dakota so will keep looking for jobs that might pop up in the middle of the school year. Until then, I have been thinking about several options, but don't know what is going to happen. All I know is that through the help of God and my family, I am going to get through this year. Maybe with a little more focus than I had anticipated on myself rather than on my job.     

What are you struggling with?