To the editor:
My name is Jessica Stanton, and I recently graduated from the Mental Health and Addictions course through CTS here in North Bay.
I went into this course because I have had this drive to help youth and people facing mental health and addiction problems that they face. Here in North Bay mental health and addiction is a big problem.
I go on the internet every morning and I check for job postings in my field of study and have been doing so since after I completed my placement for college, which I completed in February of this year.
I have applied to many different services and agencies such as Community Living, the Canadian Mental Health Association, the Crisis Centre and Futures, the Transition House, and HANDS. I was able to get a virtual interview with Community Living, but due to my not having any experience, they would not hire me.
I told them in my interview that I was fresh out of school and seeking employment.
How is it for something that is a widely known problem here it is damn near impossible for a college graduate to seek employment within this field?
Prior to my interview with Community Living, I had an interview at the Holiday Inn Express. I could have gotten a job there right away, but I was open with the employer about my upcoming interview with Community Living and discussed my goals of working in my field. I probably would have gotten the job at the Holiday Inn Express. I had no experience and the manager was willing to provide me with training for the position in which I applied for.
I have been struggling to seek employment within my field, and I find myself applying to minimum wage jobs as well as jobs within my field and not having any luck from either. What I don’t understand is, how is that here in North Bay, it is widely known mental health and addictions problems here, and with all of these services looking for workers but I am having such a hard time seeking employment.
I took the mental health and addictions course so I could get my diploma and help people. Yet here I am four months after completing the course, and two months after graduating and I still have yet to secure employment within my field of study.
Jessica Stanton
North Bay
