Saturday, May 31, 2008

From Bachelors Degree to Food Handler's Permit

Well I have begun the seamingly impossible task of finding a job in Columbus. I graduated with a degree in "Behavioral Science and Health." I am beginning to realize that was a really bad choice for a major. Very few schools have this degree, so no one know what it is, and absolutely no jobs require that you have this degree. I took a lot of science and pre-med courses, but my major reflects absolutely none of that. It is kind of discouraging, because at least at first, the only jobs I can find that I am qualified for don't require any type of degree.
So, my decision now is, do I: 1) keep looking for a job that ties to my major, 2) try and get a job that will help me get into a Nutrition Masters program, or 3) get a job as an administrative assistant. There are pros and cons to every situation. I found a Nutrition Aide position at the OSU hospital, but it requires that I have a food handlers permit. It kind of hurts my pride to think about going to West High School for a 90 minute course so that I can "Prepare meal trays by re-thermalizing/microwaving hot food, adding beverages/frozen items, and deliver meal trays to patients." However, I visited with a career counsellor and she told me the best way to get hospital jobs is to start from the bottom and work up. Nurses have to start as CNAs and registered dieticians have to start as nutrition aides. It just doesn't sound fun! I applied anyway, just to see what would happen. The position actually has potential to pay pretty well, and maybe I would be brought in above the minimum level.
I currenlty work as an administrative assitant for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. I have been adopted into the finance section and love my job. I get to do budget stuff and actually feel like I am using my brain (usually). Because of this job, which I've had for three years, I could probably get a fairly good administrative position. This is probably the route that would earn me the most money, but it kind of leads to a dead end. So that leads me to the thought of if I really want to think about long term job success. My goal in getting a job is just to earn money until we can start a family. We really don't know how soon that will be, so I can't plan for where I'll be in five years. I'd really like to get a Master's degree, but don't know when I will fit it in.
I remember in high school when I decided to go to the University of Utah I thought I had made all of the important decisions I would have to in life(insert sarcastic tone here). I realize now that it was a more difficult decision for Neal and I to chose a cell phone provider than it was for me to decide where to go to college. Maybe this is just what "grown-ups" do.
To top things off, Neal asked me to update his podcasts for his iPod. The topic for today's NewsHour with Jim Lehrer is "New College Graduates (i.e. ME!) Will Face Toughest Job Market in Years." The description is, "Amid worsening economic prospects, marked by Friday's Labor Department report announcing new unemployment highs, the class of 2008 faces a tough job markets for new college graduates." Wish me luck!

3 comments:

Lindsey said...

Good luck Kelli! It always stinks to be the low-man-on-totem-pole. I know you will find something awesome. And yes, Shad and I would love to hike Timpanogas with you and Neal. We have actually been talking about doing that for awhile now. Let me know!

Claire said...

I actually did that "nutrition aide" job one summer, but they called it something else. Anyway, the kitchen was in the basement of the hospital, so no windows, and I'd just be down there for hours! It was fun when the right people were working with me, but I'll be honest, it wasn't my favorite job. But it paid well and is where I met Bob (the wedding cake baker), so it was my stepping stone into my wedding cake experience. You won't be doing it forever, and it may be one of those necessary stepping stones. Good luck!

Tammy said...

good luck kelli. steph just got her food handlers permit too. she could tell you everything you need to know about passing the test.