I am a full-time student at Baruch and I work as a part-time babysitter for a German American family. I take care of a 4-year old boy called Noah who lives in the Upper West Side. I have been working for the family for almost two years. I really love my job because I love taking care of kids, especially Noah. He is such a sweet and smart boy. We get along very well and we have a lot fun. Moreover, his family is very nice and we have a healthy relationship. However, I will be a senior next semester and my family and my boyfriend urge me to get an internship. I know that they are right – it’s definitely time to get one. Furthermore, I want to have some working experience before I look for a full time position after graduation. Unfortunately, it is easy to talk about my plans, but it is very hard to do. My schedule is full of classes and work, but in order to find an internship I need to invest a lot of time and effort. So time is definitely an issue. In addition, I can’t really imagine how I could tell the family I work for that I am about to quit. Taking care of children creates personal attachments which are not easily broken. I know that they trust me and that they don’t want me to quit. I even have nightmares about the day I will have to stand face to face to them and tell them my internship plans.
As a matter of fact, I am still not sure how things will be and how I can manage this dilemma. I wish I could have my babysitting job and an internship at the same time, but that is not possible because of school work. The only solution I see is to quit school. I hereby tender my resignation to Baruch College effective immediately. Just kidding!
This sounds like a common problem. We all get to this juncture at one time or another. It is very important to get an internship and you should start looking for one. When you do find, try and see if you can somehow do all together.
ReplyDeleteBut remember, think of yourself first. I'm sure that your future success doesn't involve babysitting:) Sometimes you have to give up the best jobs in order to start working on your future.
Good Luck!
Unfortunately, I think that you know what you have to do. A way to make quitting your babysitting job easier is by trying to find a replacement for yourself. The family will feel more at ease if you recommend one of your friends to babysit. This will also make you feel better because you will always know that you left your job on good terms.
ReplyDeleteBelieve me this is hard, I been in your situation. It really not easy but it is something you have to do. You cannot be a babysitter for the rest of your life, right. I been a babysitter for 4 year, I looked after twin girls which I adored. They were so much fun and I loved spending time with them. When I left it was definitely hard because you really miss them and their optimism. The good thing is that even after 3 year I still talk to the girls on a weekly basis. It doesn’t mean because you are not the babysitter anymore that you have to disappear out of their lives. The family is definitely not going to be mad at you, they know that you are going to school and eventually you will have to start working in your field of study. They are going to be proud of you and I bet they will support you.
ReplyDeleteYou are very responsible and value relashionships. I think that this is a great quality, and the family sees and values this.
ReplyDeleteBut I also think you should do what is right for you. I used to be like you thinking more about other people than about myself, and unfortunately lost much time. I think the family will understand you. Besides, you can continue being their friend if they and you want to, and it will be less stressful for the kids if they contunue seing you sometimes. But you should not neglect your life and career.