University of Dayton - MyLife

Working, is it worth it?

As usual, I have a topic which I feel is very pertinent to many others. The topic of a working at a job, is it really worth it I ask? This summer, as I am sure you all know I am working for an agency which gives case management services to people in the Hamilton county area in Cincinnati. The majority of my time now is spent on talking to individuals about their life struggles and see if the qualify for case management. A case manager is someone in the community who helps connect individuals with whatever services they need to get their needs met. This would include getting to them to their appointments on time, helping the apply for medical insurance, and various others areas to help them stay connected to the mental health agencies. Needless to say there are a lot of individuals that call in and have very interesting stories to say the least. My question is however, is it worth it to work?

I wake up at 8:00 am and communte to work to be there at 9:00 am, and at the end of the day, I leave at 5:30 and get home at around 6:15. At about 6:30 I have just enough energy to make myself something to eat. Shortly after that I am tired and feel like going to bed because I have to wake up at 8:00 am to start this whole process over again. Does anyone else see a problem with this? I feel like this is a terrible boring cycle and I don't know how to break it. My true question is as follows; is this really what I have to look forward to when I am done with my schooling? If so, is it worth it?

Some people may say, "yes, its worth it because you are fulfilling your duties as an American by paying into the tax system and not being a drain on other tax payers because you are working." On the other hand I feel that others have it made. By this I mean there are people who I help on the phone on a daily basis (and not that I talking bad about them) who literally do nothing all day. One gentleman explained to me that he woke up at 3:00 and plans to watch television the rest of the day. Does this seem fun to you, because I think it does?! This brings up another question, is it fair that some work and some don't, leaving the people who work pay for the people who don't? Most people who are asked this question would probably say it is not fair, but was is stopping those who are working like myself to simply stop working and have the government pay for them?

I do realize that the situation is much more complicated them simply not working and getting paid for it, however it seems that easy. I know there are difference circumstances in peoples lives, "tough times" as some may put it, and I do agree that this happens to everyone. I just wanted to bring up something that I have been thinking about since I have been working in this field. I would like to state that I do not have any anomocity against individuals who some say, "use" the system to their advantage, in fact, one may say I admire their determination and cleverness to use the system in their favor. I just wanted to give my fellow readers something to mentally chew on. But until next time, peace and love.

Jul 19, 2007 5:38 PM Permalink