Making Choices

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I feel like life is full of unexpected outcomes. 

I’m also realizing that when it comes to making choices regarding your future there are a lot of challenges. Just in these last few months, I’ve been challenged with making decisions about money, my job, future career choices, my education. Even driving (so many choices to make)!  

As is just so happens, I am in a slump with what I want to do with myself for the future. I was studying to become certified in early childhood development so that I could one day work in a daycare or pre-school. All last year I took classes at our community college. In the beginning, my classes were in person. By the end of the school year, they were all online due to COVID-19. I began to struggle and re-consider my choices. 

I currently work as a dietary aid at a retirement home. My workplace has been short-staffed over these past few months. It’s been hard to have more help around with certain tasks. In addition, I was really struggling with my class at HACC, and the move to online learning.  Virtual, I no longer have the benefit of watching my classmates and instructor interact and ask questions, or the tutoring available when you’re on-campus. These things changed (or went away) when virtual. 

I ultimately made the really hard decision to take the Fall semester off to think more about what I was to do with myself in the future. I decided to see if I could be of more help at my part-time job.  Initially, I felt like I was saying “I give up”. But after working more and more at the retirement home, I began to feel like this was my way of teaching. I’ve been able to offer up creative ideas and suggestions to get the job done faster and more efficiently, which makes the residents feel safe and cared for.

So I’m learning that it’s a good thing when you are forced to make hard choices – these choices have a direct impact on your future. 

I still wish to be involved with educating young children, and maybe someday I will be able to. I don’t want to sell myself short with anything regarding what I can do.  

Until next time!

Sarah

Sarah Matincheck

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