A new beginning.

After three incredible years of hard work, studies and training, I have finally finished my DEC in Specialized Education. I’ve loved my years at Montmorency College, but I’m ready to move on. I got straight A’s for almost all of my courses, so I’m really confident for the future. Still, I’m not sure if I want to pursue my studies at University or if I prefer to start looking for a job right away. What should I do?

Choice 1 : Continue my studies at University.

Choice 2 : Find myself a job.

Continue my studies at University.

I got accepted at University! Even though all of my friends decided to start working right away, I’m in peace with my decision of continuing my studies. I found the admission process really maddening. It was complex and unclear, but I pulled it off anyway. I have another big decision to make today. Do I find myself a part-time job while I’m studying or not?

Choice 1 : Find myself a job.

Choice 2 : Focus on my studies.

Find myself a job.

I am not quite sure where I want to work for the next few years. I could apply in the CHSLD near my apartment and organize activities that maintain the autonomy of the residents. I also know that there is a vacant position in a primary school and the task is to help children that are living with disabilities. The wage is similar in both establishments. Where should I go to bring my CV?

Choice 1 : The CHSLD.

Choice 2 : Primary school.

Focus on my studies.

University is really different from what I expected. More often than not, I finish my homework in just a couple of hours, so I have a lot of free time. I thought about it thoroughly and I think that I will find myself a part-time job. It will give me a foot in the door for the future. I’m going to need to be consistent in my time management, but I’m not too worried about that.

Choice 1 : Find myself a job.

Choice 2 : Too stressed couldn’t do it.

Primary school.

My interview is tomorrow. I’m really nervous. To help me relax, my friend suggested that we go drink in our favorite bar. It's been a while since I’ve seen her. Should I accept her invitation or should I stay and prepare myself for my interview?

Choice 1 : Go and relax with my friend.

Choice 2 : Stay at home and sleep early.

The CHSLD.

Today is my first day working in the CHSLD. I am a little overwhelmed because there are so many tasks that need to be done here! Everybody is really devoted, but we’re not enough employees to meet the needs of all the residents. I am wondering if I should talk about it with my boss or if I should wait for a couple of years to acquire more experience.

Choice 1 : Assert myself and report the situation to my superior.

Choice 2 : Stay low profile and wait to have more seniority.

Go and relax with my friend.

I had so much fun yesterday in the bar with my friend! Getting up this morning was not that fun. I have an incredible headache, and I am feeling sick. I am thinking about canceling my interview. Is it too last minute?

Choice 1 : I am too sick. I will call and cancel my interview.

Choice 2 : It is so not professional. I will assume my choices, and show up to my interview.

The interview.

My interview was successful. The principal called me 20 minutes ago to tell me I had the job in the primary school! He also told me that I will have a few weeks of on-the-job-training. I don’t want to start my OJT with any bias, but I once heard that it can be hard to be a trainee because the trainers aren’t always competent and patient. I don’t know which attitude I should adopt towards the situation.

Choice 1 : Put aside my bias and be positive.

Choice 2 : I will do anything to prove to my trainer I don’t need OJT, so he won’t be on my back.

Assert myself and report the situation to my superior.

I am in my boss's office, waiting for him to come. I am tired after this first day, but I am confident I can come in handy. My boss comes in, and I explain to him my point of view. I tell him what I saw today, how all the employees are running around to help and take care of as many residents as possible, but that the needs are too great. My superior doesn't even let me finish, he stops me and tells me...

Choice 1 : “You are fired. How dare you tell me how to manage my establishment?”

Choice 2 : “You are not the first to come in and tell me that my staff is tired. I am currently in the process of hiring other employees like you. Thank you for coming to me.”

Stay low profile and wait to have more seniority.

I’ve been working here for half a year now. I am loving my job. I have great colleagues, but I think one of them is flirting with me. At first, I found it sweet, and he was kind. Now I don't know if it's just innocent flirtation or sexual harassment. I already tried to deter him, but he keeps having misconduct towards me. I am starting to dread him. Should I talk about it with a colleague I trust or not?

Choice 1 : I stay silent and hope he stops.

Choice 2 : Report the situation.

Too stressed couldn’t do it.

I can’t afford my apartment now because I have no income. I need to think about my future and decide what I want to do with my life, because, for now, it is a mess.

Choice 1 : Return to section 1.

Premium wage.

My boss was so proud of my work that he offered me a premium wage! Even though I am still new in the establishment, I worked overtime for the past couple of weeks. I think my boss noticed! Now, I am not sure what I want to do with this extra money. Should I put it aside for my retirement, use it to pay my mortgage or take a leave of absence and fly across the country for a well-deserved vacation?

Choice 1 : Put aside money for my retirement.

Choice 2 : Pay my debts.

Choice 3 : Vacations!

My retirement plans.

I have been working here for for almost 30 years now. I am proud to say I have helped a lot of people with mental and social disorders, family issues and physical disabilities. I have set aside enough money to take an early retirement. I think I want to volunteer abroad while I am retired. I am in good health and it would be an invaluable experience. It would give a purpose to my golden years, for sure.

Choice 1 : Go volunteer abroad.

Volunteering abroad.

I’ve been living in Nicaragua for almost 6 months now. Coming here was a life-changing decision, and I am so glad I made it half a year ago. I have been helping children from an entire village. I am in a comity that wants to abolish child labor to allow them to have a healthy childhood. My new colleagues and I are defending children’s rights and, with the resources we have here, we are teaching them the basics of mathematics and English. The thing is, these children taught me more on the world than I have learned in my entire life. I am grateful for being here today, and I couldn't hope for better.

Choice 1 : Return to section 1.

Vacations!

I am currently in Nicaragua for a two-week vacation. Yesterday, I visited a school in a small village in the mountains. It was an invaluable experience. I had the chance to talk with a really devoted teacher. He explained to me that he came here three years ago from England, to teach English to the children. He said it was the best decision he’d mad in his entire life. Since my conversation with him, I can’t stop thinking about dropping everything and coming here too to help these children. I know there are no Specialized Educators in Nicaragua, but I think I could find myself useful in this school. Should I follow my instinct and come live here?

Choice 1 : It is a once in a lifetime experience. I will definitely do it.

Choice 2 : It is so irresponsible. I can't just quit everything.

Positivism.

My time as a trainee has been over for about a month or so and I realized that what I had heard was false. My trainer was really competent and patient, and he took his time to explain to me the particularities of the job. The principal was so impressed by how fast I learned that he asked me to be a trainer myself starting next month. Should I accept even if I don’t have a lot of experience?

Choice 1 : It could be a wonderful opportunity for me to be a trainer!.

Choice 2 : Stay low profile and wait to have more experience.

Prove to my trainer I don’t need him.

It’s been a week since I started my OJT and I already hate it. My trainer asks me so many questions, I feel like I am constantly in an exam. I am thinking about quitting.

Choice 1 : Continue my OJT.

Choice 2 : Quit my OJT.

Trainer.

I am officially a trainer! I have two trainees under my wings. They are bright, and I really believe they will be amazing educators. The children love them. They relate to them easily. I am proud to teach my knowledge to people as passionate as I am. Becoming a trainer was a great challenge, but I am looking for something more. Maybe volunteering abroad?

Choice 1 : Volunteering abroad.

Choice 2 : Find another challenge.

Debt-free.

Now that my mortgage is all paid, I can really focus on what is important to me. I think I will use my money to share my passion for my work to other people. A drawback of my profession is that there is a lack of affordable specialized material. I could open an online store or write a blog about my experience as an educator.

Choice 1 : Open an online store.

Choice 2 : Start writing a blog.

Something special.

I want to do something special before my retirement, and I think that I have couple of ideas, but I don't know which one to choose. Should I open my own online store and sell specialized material, or should I start a blog talking about my experience as an educator?

Choice 1 : Open an online store.

Choice 2 : Start writing a blog.

Open an online store.

My online store is really popular! I sell therapy balls and bands, timers, books and even weighted stuffed animals. I think I’m finally ready to retire. I will leave the store to my colleague who is younger than me but just as passionate.

Choice 1 : Finally retire.

Start writing a blog.

Starting a blog was a great idea. I have a lot of followers including teachers, parents, educators, nurses, and students. Even though I am going to retire at the end of the year, I think I will continue my blog. I still have a lot to say!

Choice 1 : Finally retire.

Retirement.

It is time for me to step aside from the job market. I have worked with passion for the majority of my life. I have many plans for my retirement. First, I want to travel a little. After, I will give time to a charity organization that distributes meals for the ones in need. Finally, I want to spend time at home, reading and relaxing after all these years.

Choice 1 : Return to section 1.

Denunciation.

I talked about it with a colleague who has always welcomed me. I was nervous at first, but now, I feel better. She told me I did the good thing by telling her. She also said I should report it to my boss and even to the police if he doesn't stop. I don't know if I want to go this far. I don't have the time and the energy to engage myself into a long investigation.

Choice 1 : Don’t say anything.

Choice 2 : Report the situation.

Don’t say anything.

He stopped! I just had to threaten him to report his behaviour to the police. Now, I need something to change my mind of this awful situation. I want to do something big. I have a couple of ideas in mind. What should I do?

Choice 1 : Volunteer abroad.

Choice 2 : Do something else.

Report the situation.

I talked to my boss about it, and he was more than comprehensive. He changed my schedule, so I won’t ever have to work with the guy again. I am so relieved. Now, I need something to change my mind of this awful situation. I want to do something big. I have a couple of ideas in mind. What should I do?

Choice 1 : Volunteer abroad.

Choice 2 : Do something else.