Exciting news!

If you were following my blog this summer then you might remember reading about all of the exciting and wonderful experiences I had during my practicum. Just to refresh your memory - I was doing my placement at a women-centred employment agency in downtown Toronto under the supervision of a really amazing woman (who has since become a mentor of mine). The practicum was life-changing, in so many ways - from confirming my decision to go into the program to instilling my love for the profession, including learning about the complexities of clients and those of myself. To me, being employed by the agency after finishing the program was my idea of a dream job.

Fast forward to last Wednesday, when I received the job offer to work as an Employment Counsellor with them - MY EXCITING NEWS! This was after an intense interview process (carried over two days) that included case studies, a role-play, preparing and presenting a mini-workshop and of course, a litany of questions (situational, personal and knowledge-based).

I started working on Friday and it was such a good feeling to be back in the office again. Everyone was so warm and welcoming, and it was an absolute thrill to sit in my new space in my new role. (Makes me giddy just thinking about it!)

I was briefed about my position and "introduced" to my caseload. I began calling clients to introduce myself and to schedule appointments with them in the coming weeks. Some of them remembered me from the summer and it was great to speak with them again. I'll meet with a couple of clients tomorrow for the first time, which is very exciting. At the end of the month, I'll be facilitating a workshop and co-facilitating another.

I feel very fortunate to be given this opportunity to be part of an amazing team, for an agency that does wonderful and meaningful work in the community. For the first time, I feel really proud of what I'm doing and it feels great...really, really great.