(photo credit to Corey Jones Photography. Thanks, Corey!)
First off, today is LOGAN'S BIRTHDAY!!! I remember that day, 31 years ago, when he joined our little family. We were so thrilled and loved him so much. He has become a man who loves God, loves his family, cares about others, and is fun to be around. I am so proud of him and still love him so much!!!
If you haven't been tracking me, I graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University with my Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work, followed by getting my certification. So, now I guess my official title would be: Kitt Watley, BSBA, BSW, CSW.
Since I already had the Bachelors in Business Administration from back in the day, all I had to take was the Social Work curriculum (plus Biology--I took Chemistry the first go round.) So, it took me two years to finish. This included all the coursework plus 400 hours of a practicum.
Thank you to all who have sent me congratulatory cards. I appreciate every single one of them! But, there is something that has intrigued me a bit. Many women told me they were proud of me. Often, I would meet a woman (in the nursing home where I was interning or at a supper when I was seated with people I didn't know or at a wedding with someone I'd just met) and these women would tell me that they were proud of me even though they didn't know me from a block of wood. (OK, maybe, just maybe, if I was seated next to a block of wood, they may have been able to tell us apart.)
I am so thrilled that people are proud of me. It makes me feel happy, but I am just wondering why that makes women feel proud when I have done something. Why not say they are happy or impressed or some other emotion? Here's a very rough theory I've come up with:
A lot of these women are my age or older...sometimes our generation can feel like we missed the boat. We were at the tail end of the era of most women staying home to raise children (although 2 of my daughter-in-laws stay home and I'm proud of that!). But many of us didn't pursue a career or gain that notoriety of being a leader in our field. We poured ourselves into our children and now they've moved on and we're feeling a bit adrift and unsure just how we can matter anymore. And, at the ripe old age of 59, may feel like that ship has sailed, that it's just too late to make something of ourselves.
Here's the story of my going back to school...
For 3-4 years I worked as a Program Director for the Lancaster County Medical Society. That county has a program that assists people who do not have insurance but have been referred to see a specialist. (Just FYI, before people start writing how those people should have to lie in their bed because they're not insured...the people did not get the services for free and they had to prepay their share.) Anyhow, I could help these people with this little section of their lives. Many had so many other needs that I just did not have the ability to help.
Around that time my father-in-law was doing poorly and I kept thinking that it would be so nice to have someone who could help us navigate this new stage of life decisions. We hired a patient navigator (finally) and I became interested in that career. BUT...there is not one single certification process to do this job. Some websites said "Just go do it. That's the best way to learn the field." Well, I didn't feel too confident that I knew enough to do that. I had Loy go talk to the Social Work Chairman at Wesleyan to see if SW was the way to achieve this goal.
So, I enrolled in ONE class at NWU. I told Loy ahead of time, "I'll finish this class. But, if I don't finish the whole program, I'm not a quitter. This class is just exploring if I like it." (I mean, after all, SW is quite different than Business.) That first class, "Life Lessons," was tough, but I loved it. It was only a bit intimidating with the younger students, but it was a night program, so they weren't all 20-years-old. There were a few seasoned people there.
So, I went through several semesters of thinking:
"This class was good, but I'm not going to take any more."
"Oh, I may as well register for some for next semester just in case I want to continue. I can always drop them later." And then, the next step:
"I'll buy the books." And then I was hooked for that semester.
This went on until I realized I only had 4 classes left! So, then you have to finish, right???
Was it easy? Some parts were. When you're seasoned, the homework is not so all-consuming because you keep up with things and plan ahead more than when you're young. I never had to cram or pull a late-nighter. I'm not dating or in a sorority or living in a dorm or going to many parties. Life is rather quiet these days.
Hard parts?
- I am much more conservative than the majority of my professors and that didn't always sit well. But, part of my curriculum included learning to hear another's viewpoint without going crazy.
- Since I only had SW classes, I went through the program faster than anyone ever has. I had to take classes in the Lincoln evening program, the Omaha evening program, and the Lincoln day program. I felt like I was establishing new relationships every single semester. I was very intimidated by taking classes with those I dubbed (lovingly) 'The Little Girls." These girls were so sweet to me. It was never a problem. They welcomed me into their lives and I loved being in classes with them! Believe me, they're going to take the world by storm! They are so caring and willing to dive into things they believe will improve a situation.
- I had to commute from Ashland to wherever my class was, often during mealtimes. That meant lots of fast food. (I know, I know...I could've packed a lunch. But I didn't.) I weigh more now than I ever have in my life (except may some of the days I delivered my beautiful babies)!!! I'm hoping that getting my eating back to normal will help that excess disappear! Loy and I have gotten back in to walking around our lake and I now pack a lunch.
On June 4 I began a job as a Social Worker at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital. I will be working PRN (on call), after an 8-12 week training, at both the Omaha and Lincoln campuses. PRN means I will have the option to decline any substitute jobs if I need to travel or babysit grands or do housework. They will never call me the day of--it will always be planned ahead of time. I will get exposure to all the different units at Madonna and, even though I've always thought my "people group" to help was elderly, I may be surprised. And, if I decide I'd like to work F/T and an opening becomes available, I can apply.
I've enjoyed the SW parts of the job that I've been able to do this first week. The actual orientation part, while necessary, is never too fun. Reading policies, getting passwords all set up, learning a new computer system. But, Friday I did get to do 2 Patient Profiles and make some rounds of the patients. That part I loved.
Just FYI, Social Workers never contact people. We "reach out." We use phrases such as "Tell me about it", "How does that make you feel?", "What are some ideas you've had to solve this problem?" We talk about vulnerable and marginalized people and biases and empowerment. It's so much more than the stereotype of working with children in foster care. You don't have to be poor to need a Social Worker. Our job is to help think of solutions and help clients evaluate the options realistically.
I still think, "Why, exactly, did I want to do this?" I mean, Loy just retired and I'm getting up at 6:15 AM (which, if you know me you know is NOT ME!!!) And I am old. How many years do I really expect to work?
I hope I never outgrow the desire to learn new things and try something new. I hope I never outgrow the desire to help others. I hope I'm one of those 80-year-olds who gets a Ph.D. or goes on safari or something else delightfully inappropriate for my age.
So, if you told me you were proud of me, I thank you from the very bottom of my heart! I am honored that you feel that way. I will try to continue to make you so.
(On the above picture, notice the time the clock indicates. I have to leave the house by 7:00 AM.)
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