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Well, I have some breaking news and long story short I am back in Chicago for the summer. I was extremly excited and anxious about New Vision Wilderness until I got there and went through the training. Let me start out by saying this is a wonderful company doing a great thing. When I applied and went through the interview process I was under the impression this was an outdoor instructor position. I thought it was a mentor program working with kids from rough backgrounds etc. In short I really felt like it was a big brother type program. Upon arriving and going through the training I realized it was an INTENSE therapy program where I was going to have to handle medications, do security, and check personal hygiene and watch for run aways etc. There are extremely good people there who are passionate about therapy, but it is not for me. A lot of these kids are picked up and dumped off there because no one else will take them. So, God bless New Vision Wilderness for what they do and I hated the miss understand of the whole mess but I thought it was best for me to leave before I wasted anymore of their time and mine because career wise therapy is not what I want to do. If I was going to I would want to go get a masters and actually do the therapy (and get paid more than minimum wage).
At any rate it is onto the next thing for me. Once I decided I wanted to leave Wisconsin and not pursue the therapy job. It is kind of funny that at the time I was preparing to leave I got a call from the owner of Kayak Chicago who wanted to bring me on as a kayak instructor and tour guide. It was better money, back closer to Jaclyn, and they are going to give me real formal training on everything Kayak related. From gear, to manuvers, to guiding. So I am really excited to learn this and get it on my resume. I'm not sure how much it will help me in the future, I like to think it will help me in the future secure a job somewhere in the direction I want to go. Jaclyn is happy I'm back in Chicago but not so happy I work most weekend (busiest time for a kayaker). I left Wisconsin Saturday and started my job at Kayak Chicago the very next morning. I finished my first day today and a lot more training coming up this week. I volunteered for some extra shifts and will be shadowing a sunset/night kayak trip tomorrow. The company culture is very cool and everyone was so extremly nice and helpful that I was very surprised. Everyone was so eager to help train me and get me up to speed that I was very impressed. I don't have any end game plans right now for this year but I'm looking into the Elgin area since Jaclyn will be in that area. Me and the ole ball and chain are doing pretty damn good so I'm not looking to be to far away from her for very long.
I feel a little embaressed about the Wisconsin job thing, I really wish it had been more of a mentoring program and not so much intense therapy and security. You live and you learn, and they were very kind to me and we had a great debriefing meeting, and everyone was very professional. KayakChicago.com is cool though and they are more than willing to give me time off when requested for backpacking trip into Arkansas and elsewhere like maybe... Florida? Who knows. From the Bears in Wisconsin to the snakes and crocs in the Everglades.
Derek Huber
- comments
Mr. mohr Sucks that it didn't work out but glad to have you back in Chicago Brother!
Barb Utley I'm glad you're back too, you will learn Chicago history in the Kayak Architectural tour
Brandon Sanders Good to hear man! Good luck!