Today I realized that the folks at my local mental health center just aren't that interested in having me intern with them. I know in class we spoke about having to be persistent and make multiple calls and leave endless voice mails, but really. If they are interested, wouldn't they call back after the first message?

So today I called around to places in Cowlitz and Thurston counties, hoping that someone will take my bait and call me back. It seems that the standard method of operation at these facilities is to re-direct your call at least 3 times, but when you finally get the person who knows something, you get their voice mail. I think it is planned that way.

Well, I'll make calls again on Friday and follow up. That's all that I can do if no one calls back. Yeah, I know. I'll be making a second call to all of their voice mails, but maybe just someone will get back to me before Friday? Wishful thinking never hurt anyone.

I'm starting to really re-think the whole counseling field anyhow. I mean after spending what will total $130,000 in student loans, the best that an agency in Thurston county is willing to pay a counselor/therapist is $20/hr. A truck driver makes more money and most likely has no student loans to pay back, unless they are someone like me who realized long before I did that nowadays education doesn't count in the end; it's all bottom-line and profits, and you go where the money is because otherwise you scrape by.

No one cares what your financial situation is because everyone you know is scraping like you or is worse off. Unless you happen to be in one of those professions that actually pays, like accounting/banking, medicine, law, etc.

I question if it is even worth Pooky going for his master's because him getting his bachelor's hasn't helped him get promoted at Home Depot, nor has it helped him get hired. The only reason HD took him is because he worked there before. I don't even want to know how much student loan debt he has.

Maybe in the end we'll decide to play the game of life and say "fuck it" to our diplomas and become team truck drivers. That way we'll be able to pay our bills, plus have money left over to enjoy. And no, I'm not meaning to sound sarcastic, I'm dead serious!

Post Script

Naturally, since we're going out tomorrow all day, the remaining calls will be returned, but I won't bitch one bit. (In fact, I think leaving the house actually causes them to call, along with the postal carrier to deliver that package I've been expecting.)

The *catch* with the interview on Monday is, he warned me I'd have to pay for the background check. I hope it isn't too costly. It should be only between $50-100, but I could be wrong. I'll find out more when I go talk with him.