Where are our Priorities?

Human Services vs Corporate America…


As a program coordinator,  I am learning that you can not really attach a dollar amount in  terms of what I do. It is emotionally draining as well as rewarding too! Each day when I go into work, I know that I am making a difference in the life of someone else. The ladies fully appreciate me and every time I walk into work I feel valued and appreciated each time. Unfortunately, I do not get the same feeling when I look at my pay check. It is unfortunate that working with people and having an effect on their everyday life brings so little compensation but requires so much energy.

I recently am finding myself discouraged from the field because it the compensation is so low but also not respected from the state.  The state has not increased the budget for non profit direct care employees in years,  right now at my overnight the company is advocating for us to ask for more in the form of a salary reserve.  My sister is an accountant and I remember one time she shared that she got like a $4000 bonus… and all I could think to myself is, you work with numbers and I work with people and never have seen a bonus. I have a close friend of mine who actually makes more than me working at a front desk,  while I am responsible for a program 24/7 and 5 individuals,  she copies papers and answers phone and gets to go home at 5pm.  Does this make sense?

My hope for the future is the direct care employees and management in these fields to get more.