Background Check

It was the first time I had to answer that question in the positive, "have you ever been convicted of a felony?" It was on the form I had to fill out to start volunteering at my old job on campus. The plan is for me to volunteer through summer and once I am accepted back in for this fall (if I put it out to the universe will it make it true?) they want to rehire me as their graduate research assistant again. This is how we doctoral students pay for school and get paid - it covers all my tuition, health insurance, and gives me a living stipend. Even though my old job knows all about my conviction and prison time, they really want me back :-)

So, we decided to start with my volunteering part-time as I work to get myself back into school.

So, first, the Assoc. Provost who funds the program had to approve my volunteering/working there. I mentioned before that he has close ties to my old department and former advisor, however he's an independent thinker and knows of my work from several projects I've been involved with on campus. He told my former boss that he trusts her decision on whether I can work there. The next step, though, was passing the human resources background check.

All hires have to have a background check. Also, since this organization specifically works with youth (we help them get successfully through high school and into college), volunteers have to have their background checked too. When I got to the question about having a felony, I put the piece of paper down for a moment. After the question it says, "having a felony does not automatically preclude you from being considered for a position..." Yet, I was still nervous. I would have to mark, "yes," and then write a couple sentences explaining the charges, etc.

I turned the form in on Monday, and since I hadn't heard anything yet, I tried my best to just keep an open mind. No news really can be good news sometimes. Well, this afternoon I received a call from the organization and I was approved. I passed the background check, even with a felony that's not very old. I mean, according to the BOP, I'm still in custody.

So, I'll start volunteering the 3rd, the day after I'm officially off home confinement. One staff member recently had a stroke, so I'll be helping with her job, as well as my old job. I won't be getting paid, yet, but I can't think of a better use of my time and energy. The youth are all on campus over the summer taking classes as part of the program, so I'll be able to be around all that youthful energy. 

In the meantime, it was time for me to consider how else I may make a living, whether I get back in school or not. I decided to submit a couple applications for part-time jobs at the local community college. Once again, that question came up in each application. I know what I have to say, so I answered, "yes," and explained the circumstances. I don't know if it will affect their consideration of me or not. I can't worry about that. I just have to keep knocking on doors.

Since the first door I knocked on was open, I can tell you that we are capable of finding work with that big F on our foreheads. We must be honest, humble, and grateful. We must take responsibility for our pasts. 

Now, I hope this advice will help me through a meeting I have with another department on campus I may apply to as a student... More than one door may be open!