Dear RAFT, Can I find joy again outside direct service?

"I worked as an advocate for a year and a half. I left my position for several reasons but mainly because the end of a relationship caused me to make major life changes quickly. I work in a human services field and I have a better paying position but I feel extremely unfulfilled. I sit quite a bit, I do a lot of paperwork, and I am not directly involved in life-changing work. I am trying to focus on the fact that the increase in pay will put my family in a better financial position but my heart is heavy. Am I being dramatic or do I need to go find my joy again? Do I wait it out awhile? Please help...."

Dear Advocate

Changing jobs is stressful enough, but being forced to leave a job you love can be downright traumatic, especially when the new job is not ideal. While it sounds like this may not be your dream job, you’re already doing something to help your situation and find your joy: You’re recognizing and showing gratitude for the positive aspects of the job.(increase in pay to help your family) Additionally, this job may actually present new opportunities you hadn’t thought of that can ultimately lead you to a better situation personally and professionally. Allow me to share a personal example: 

In 2018 I was fired from my first position as a survivor advocate. I was devastated. Soon after I took a job as a member services rep at a local credit union. I did not want that job and initially found it very unfulfilling. But, it paid the bills. (I mean seriously, I was an advocate, not a bank teller!) After a few months working at the credit union, I began learning about a lot more than depositing and withdrawing money from checking and savings accounts. I learned about credit, personal finances, how creditworthiness is determined, and about tools and resources that people can use to improve their financial wellbeing.  With this new knowledge, I created a curriculum for working with individuals to help them on their path to financial literacy.  

A year and a half into working at the credit union an opportunity arose for me to return to survivor advocate work. This time I worked with many direct service agencies, the state coalition, and other human services agencies. I also brought with me an understanding of the importance of financial wellness and a tool to help survivors address and improve their financial health.  

So, while my hiatus from direct services employment wasn’t what I wanted, it facilitated me gaining knowledge and experience to improve my own circumstances and better serve survivors when I returned to advocacy work.  

The job you have is not ideal but continue to keep your eyes open for opportunities to learn and grow while you’re there. Now may not be the time for you to be in life-changing work for others, but for yourself. You can then take the lessons you learn and share them. Your shared lessons may then prove to be life-changing for others.  

In the meantime, you could find a volunteer opportunity that connects you closer to the work you love. Take some service-related courses. Join an online support group that relates to the work you love. There are many ways to connect with the work you love without working for an agency.   

And the job search engines are always up and running. It’s perfectly fine to search for something new while you’re growing where you are.  

Keep striving and thriving!