July 28 2009: Promising High Schoolers
Filed under Australia & Uni/Work
In the past week, I’ve been coordinating and organising stalls about work within the disability sector at three different career expos around Melbourne. What I found most gratifying over my time at these expos, was the attitude of high school students towards the thought of working with people with disabilities. There is no longer the stigma of “duh, you’re a retard” that one would have encountered a mere handful of years ago. Instead, I spent time talking with students who had already seriously considered disability work as a career, stating things like “I have an autistic friend”, or “my mother works in disability”, or “I had learning difficulties as a kid, and my integration aide really helped me like I want to help others”. It’s very gratifying to see a generation of children growing up who have sincere appreciation of the benefits of a strong social and community network.
I suppose you would describe it as job satisfaction – I love that in this job, I have the opportunity to promote an essential role in society. It’s especially important considering that the average age of a disability worker in my state is the mid to late forties – we need to get some new, young, blood into the sector. I love that I do the essential back-end work that allows the hands-on care to take place – I keep the disability sector in my state ticking over, and allow its members to keep up to date with new policy developments, to gain further education and training, to network with fellow professionals, etc.
On another note, one of the expos that we exhibited at today was located 100kms out of Melbourne in Warragul. Driving there, I was simply astounded by the sheer beauty of the Australian landscape. Rolling hills, gullies, bushland…it’s stunning. And all half an hour out of Melbourne on the freeway. Like my attempt to see my city through tourist eyes, I really should learn to simply go on day trips to small rural towns and see more of the surrounding countryside. For example, Phillip Island is only about one and a half hours drive from my house, but the last time I went was when I was fourteen!
I sense some local sightseeing in the near future.
4 Responses to “Promising High Schoolers”
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Welcome to the world of job satisfaction! Yes I’ll admit I LOVE MY JOB!
Oh and about high schoolers and disabilities, attititudes haven’t changed…. I hate to break it to you but the ones who are interested are most likely to talk to you and the ones who have no idea… well they’re still walking around with no idea.
Michael on July 29 2009 #
Ha, anyone would think that the disability sector didn’t exist until you came on board! I’m glad you’re enjoying your job though. Work in this sector can be uniquely challenging, but it’s very rewarding.
Michael’s right about the attitudes, btw – you’re just meeting the kids who have good attitudes. The stigma is still there and just as strong.
Rebekah on July 29 2009 #
Let me know when you’re thinking of going to Phillip Island! I’ve been meaning to go on a penguin expedition ever since I moved to Melbourne four years ago :)
nadine on July 29 2009 #
I would hope that stigmas are changing, but I doubt they are. If people would realize what rewarding work it is to get the opportunity to work with disabled people, then I’m sure they would change in a heartbeat.
Janet on July 29 2009 #