I have been fascinated by how and why people do what they do for a long while. Mostly I have been aware of this on a macro level. History and civics were fun subjects in school, and I still enjoy long historical videos on YouTube. And see also: my fascination with the Why? of Christianity. And I have a Masters in sociology, probably not at all incidentally.
This interest might also be on a more personal, micro level than I’ve consciosly realized. I kinda sorta backed into caregiving/in-home aid, helped along with a splash of nepotism. I rather quickly found out that I didn’t mind the work at all, and that I was good at it.
Maybe, perhaps, I’ve parlayed an above-average interest in Why People Do That into a career based on answering exactly that question. Answering it in a more narrow scope, mind, working with people with a rather particular and peculiar outlook on the world. People that have rather profound support needs autism in fact (this is an oversimplification of their challenges, but close enough for government work).
It isn’t for nothing I’ve put those Magical Moments that happen in this line of work down as examples of when I feel truly alive. Even now it is difficult to describe properly. There is a unity of existence that can happen when two people align like that.
Facilitating that alignment is hard work though. And it has worn me down over the couple decades I have been in the field. Currently been off work sick for 2 months; with 2 more to go; and my doctor’s word confirming I am not suited for caregiving jobs at the moment.
I would not at all mind utilizing my many years of experience in a related job. Consultation services such as VISO, or the quality inspection function of the field. I also would not mind a teaching position; shaping other minds in preparation for a stint as People Understander.