|
Corrections Reflections: From Bad Dreams to a Good Career |
By Joe Bouchard |
Published: 02/21/2011 |
Sometimes I still see it. It only happens at certain nights when I look out the window. Though it is many miles away, it seems to be much closer. Its surreal yellow/orange glow still hovers in like a mystical haze on the horizon. This nebulous illumination is not a setting sun concluding it appearance for the day. Rather, it is “the glow of the prison”. Years ago when I looked at “the glow of the prison” from my back yard, it evoked anxiety and regret. It was an ominous, nocturnal reminder of my new job as a prison librarian. Especially on nights that I just returned from work, I would stare at the glow and fall captive to the relentless parade of negative thoughts. “Why did I ever apply for this job?” “I can’t do this job. I am not mentally prepared for it” “I need to find another field.” “This is the worst mistake of my life.” Zooming ahead many years from that point, I can happily report that all of those feelings changed. It is strange how the same vision brings different feelings at various points in one’s life. As you read this, reflect on your beginnings in corrections. How did you feel in your first six months of employment? How did you view the world in your new circumstances? What effects did you experience due to your new vocation? During my first six months in corrections, insomnia was my constant companion. When I did sleep, scenes from my workday played back in my mind. My subconscious would occasionally try to rectify my missteps from the day. I also dreamed of immense quantities of law books and argumentative prisoners. In essence, I would awake in a very tired state each day. I felt like I worked all night. I knew that there had to be a change or I would be in a terrible state of mind. I pledged to quit in five years and conclude this vocational episode of my life. I now like my job very much. It is quite satisfying and keeps me interested. I feel that I contribute to many areas of the facility. I help promote the merits of programs while maintaining a safe atmosphere. I contribute observations to the pool of data which ultimately keeps everyone in the institution secure. I also feel that I have a voice in the greater world of corrections. Through a series of events and the permission from my chain of command, I find myself wearing additional corrections hats. Professional development opportunities present themselves to me as my career unfolds. I serve not only as a corrections librarian, but also as an author/columnist, adjunct instructor, speaker, and editor. At the risk of sounding like a cliché, corrections is a potential land of opportunities. I do concede that it is not perfect in all ways. Of course, there is no Utopian ideal in the work world. In all walks of life, coping with one’s job is really a matter of adopting an attitude of positive realism. The uncomfortable start to my career did not magically change into complete satisfaction overnight. And it would make for a dramatically interesting essay if I could pinpoint the exact moment that I felt vested in the profession. I cannot do that, unfortunately. The change was gradual. My trepidation melted in small, imperceptible increments. It was not an instant revelation. After six months or so, it seemed that I dreaded going to work less than the day before. In retrospect, I think these are some of the factors that facilitated the change.
Visit the Joe Bouchard page Other articles by Bouchard: |
Comments:
Login to let us know what you think
MARKETPLACE search vendors | advanced search
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
|
The world's unemployment rate is rising. It's scary for me.
Thanks for another excellent post. Where else could anybody get that type of info in such an ideal way of writing? In my opinion, my seeking has ended now. Bridal Hair
more than 7 lakhs candidates were registered and appeared for the exam and total pass percentage was approximately 63%.Official Website we can expect better results in coming time that is above 70% in 2020, let us see what happens till then you can give your views about this, the qualifying students may get the Rank for Karnataka PUC 12th 2020, further information may be updated time to time here.
Pan Card Customer Care (UTI & NSDL) Mumbai, Delhietc..pan card customer care number Get UTIITSL, NSDL PAN Card Customer Care Number in India. Know Toll Free Number For PAN Card, PAN Status Customer Care Phone No. pan card customer care number bangalore. Pan Card Customer Care Number? NSDL, UTIITSL ? Toll-free Number For Pan ? Pan Status Toll-free Number? Income Tax PAN Services Unit.
People have spent a lot of money but have not gotten any good results so far.The uniquie thing about de.altoconvertpdftoexcel.com is yet unknown, but they certainly give the best service at hands always.
The article is quite interesting. Makes you think about a lot. I started my career with a job interview , which of course was not the most successful. However, now you can use the services of the online resource https://mrsimon.ai. On this site, you can practice answering questions from a potential employer online.
All the people who want to get a successful career are very worried about the right direction for the career and make their dream true. Thus you are giving your best paper writing service and people love to move their dream to successful life as well.
Well, they should (though not necessarily SHALL) diminish if they don't end. :)
OH, you mean the bad dreams were supposed to have ended at some point? :]