Today was my first day at JDRF. I still can't get used to saying that I work for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Talk about dreams coming true.

It was a day of paperwork, training, and Gala activities. I'm definitely finding my footing on many levels even though I've volunteered with JDRF for several years and I've lived with this disease for over eighteen. There is a lot to learn and a lot to process.

But here I am, decompressing with my patio door open and the TV running in the background. I am about three pages away from being done with a major paper due Monday. I am also considering submitting an application to my alma mater for a Certificate in Non-profit Management. I haven't decided yet and don't want to waste the $50 though.

For JDRF, there is a lot going through my mind. I am excited to be a part of such a large organization that I've supported for so many years. I am excited to be on the front lines of this disease even more than this blog is. I am also excited to speak one-on-one with other diabetics and families who want to make a difference with this disease.

I am officially the Outreach Coordinator, although at any non-profit job titles sometimes don't matter. Everyone does everything because resources are scarce. As Outreach Coordinator, I am still unsure what my exact role will be here. Most of what I know is from the chapter I volunteered in and their outreach program.

What I have in mind is being a leader for the volunteers and families that work with JDRF. What I want to accomplish is making these families and volunteers feel welcome, feel heard, and feel appreciated. I want to provide information and awareness to the community at large. I want to bring the organization to new levels.

Because I'm now at JDRF and in a company that I'd love to build a career out of, I'm not sure what I want to do with my graduate degree. The main reason why I went into social work was to increase my chances of finding full time work. I don't believe those reasons apply anymore even though I'm part time at JDRF. I believe I can work up in this organization to full time.

There is a major piece of me that wants more hands-on practice in the graduate field though. I want lectures on budgeting, management, human resources, and policy in relation to non-profit organizations. I want the educational side of what I'm about to learn on a business level.

Which is why I think I'm going to pursue a Certificate in Non-profit Management through either my present school or the school I graduated from last year. The difference is that one is local and not online and the other is completely online and a very well known program. One also requires a $50 fee.

Deciding which program is probably the easy part. The hard part is timing. I am not sure if I want to continue this in the summer and spend the next year working through the program. Or if I should take the summer and possibly fall off to regroup, get settled in the new job, and find my footing.

Decisions, decisions...so many, so little time.