Heck, I'm just wondering if I'm in the wrong country...minimum wage is $12/hr!! Dang!

I think when it comes to jobs you have to go with what you feel best doing in your heart. I did billing and collections for medical offices for almost 7 years before I decided to get serious about education. I could still do it as a PT job, but as a FT job, it was NOT for me. Being in a cubicle for 8hrs a day is just not my kind of life. I had horrible blood pressure problems (and I was in my 20's when this was going on), and was basically miserable. I switched offices when I got better wages or better benefits, but really, unless I wanted to be an office manager (ugh in my book), I wasn't going anywhere.

So, I took those personality type tests, the Myers-Briggs one, and read some books based on the Myers-Briggs philosophy (awesome book is Do What You Are by Tieger and Tieger). I went into the book with no preconceptions about what I thought about doing, but knowing what I hated doing, and what made me happy. I came out of it learning a lot more about myself. I'm so glad I took the time to take the tests and read the books.

I may be in one of the most underpaid professions, but you know what, I'm in it for the kids. I LOVE what I do. I love reading and I love teaching and most of all, I love making a difference in a child's life. I don't care if they are in elementary school (where I was, and was very happy with that age group, but not the schedule), or in middle school where the children are challenging, but oh so worth the time to get to know and get past that "I'm tough as nails" exterior and know that they feel comfortable talking to you.

I had a hard time deciding whether to go into teaching or social work, they both pay poorly, but are both so worthy, but I went with teaching cause I figured I would be less likely to take home stray kids this way, lol.

You just have to figure out what makes you happy. And if working for the shelter makes you happy, go for it.

I told my union president (I "volunteer" my time as the Public Relations chairwoman for our teacher's union of 1200 people) this year that I was quitting because I would rather volunteer my time scooping cat **** at the shelter than dealing with his ****, and all the rest of the crap that comes with being a executive officer in the union... it's thankless, and it keeps on being thankless, and you just get kicked no matter what you do. At least the cats are happy to see me when I go in to clean the shelter... they just are glad to have company and to be loved. To me, that's the best volunteer position in the world.

Candace, you go with your heart... it won't lead you wrong when it comes to something like this. You'll be so glad you did!