Thursday, June 25, 2015

Back in the hunt

As many of you know, I left my position as a parent Liaison at UCSF Benioff Childrens' Hospital. As much as I loved that job, it just isn't enough for me anymore. It is limited in scope and hours and I need more of both.  It was perfect when I had the time constraints of Maggie's care and wonderful to ease my way back into the world after Maggie passed away, but now I am ready for more than that job can offer. Hence I find myself in the job market.



It is a strange place to be at my age and given my breadth of experience. I have always worked but have not looked for a job in nearly 25 years. Things just sort of fell into my lap both as a lawyer and in Maggie's World wearing any number of hats.

To be honest, it is exhilarating to be out in the hunt once again, though I do find myself wishing I was 20 years younger and didn't have to explain why I'm in the job market now. I really do not want to share the story of Maggie's life and death with folks in a job interview, but it is pretty much required in order to explain the various experiences I list on my resume. Don't get me wrong, those experience prepare me for any number of positions, and I am extremely proud of all of them, just as I am proud of my time with Maggie. It's just that it is not easy to sit in an interview and talk about it. And I doubt it ever will be.

I am being a bit circumspect about the jobs I seek. I am looking for something that will really allow me to use what Maggie taught me.  My focus has been in the non-profit world, but I wouldn't rule out something legal if it was a fit. I expected this hunt to take several months, especially since I am being so picky about where I apply; but I've already had a few interviews and feel like something will break soon.

Of course I haven't cut ties with UCSF either. It feels like a home to me and I would work there in a second if a job were the right fit. In fact today I am heading there in my role as facilitator of a group for parents who have kids admitted to the hospital.  This is the only group that I am aware of that is facilitated by a parent for parents of hospitalized children. It is a great idea because parents can connect with other parents and speak freely.  I hope this program can grow because the need is huge. The group is offered through Support for Families, a family resource agency in San Francisco with whom I have been affiliated since Maggie was born in 1994. It is great that the hospital and the family resource agency are working together and I am happy to be the link between the two.

Maybe I need to add common denominator to my resume.

1 comment:

Hi Maggie loves your comments. It may take a while for the comment to post, but you will see it eventually.