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Grace
Student
Lexington, South Carolina
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Advice for people interested in becoming a child life specialist?
I'm interested in becoming a child life specialist, and I want to know from someone who has experience in this field. How do you have a good work/life balance and prevent burnout? If you could do anything different what would you do?
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Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
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Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Grace !
I have never been a Child Life Specialist but wanted to give you some general advice about your future career.
You may be concerned about work/life balance because, with this career, you most likely would be working in hospitals. That is something that you will have to explore because hospitals are open 24/7 and have staff on all shifts. But since you'd be interacting with child patients before, during and after their medical experiences, most likely this could take place on a morning shift. You won't know your schedule until you actually obtain employment, but it seems to be something that is needed on a first shift (i.e. 7AM - 3PM, 8 AM - 4 PM, etc.).
The thing about thoughts of work/life balance before you even start a career can be something you wonder about, but there's really no way to tell how your own particular life experience will be in the future. People in all careers manage to have work/life balance. It's just something you manage while you are working and setting priorities. So even if people tell you about it now while you are a student, it won't be anything that you can expect. You just have to live it first hand.
If you are worried about burnout now while you are not even yet in the career, then when you are ready to work you can make some decisions. Ask yourself, at that time, if you want to work full time or part time, in a huge busy urban hospital or a suburban setting, and when you obtain the employment you want, explore the expectations and if there will be any outside conferences and trainings that you would be expected to attend. Most people design the physical movements and time commitments of their careers so that they do their work and then have a life outside of work. It's really nothing to actually worry about.
No one can tell you how to prevent burnout because no one knows you, but you shouldn't approach this career worried about burnout. You will indeed work with mild cases such as a child that is having a tonsillectomy or a broken arm that will heal, but you must expect that you will have serious emotionally-packed cases like children that are dealing with life threatening illnesses and sudden disabilities that are permanent. It goes with the job and this will always depend on where you work. Vicarious trauma of the worker can happen but it's not enough to make you dysfunctional. You would have a lot of support on your job from managers, co-workers and attend many in-services and trainings to learn how to manage stress or vicarious trauma. Once you are trained and experienced and starting to work, you will know how to regulate your own perspective. No matter what the case is, you make a big difference for the child and their family.
I apologize that this advice is from someone who didn't have a career in this field, but I wanted to possibly give you some things to think about in general to alleviate any worry about work/life balance and burnout. Try not to overthink the career. If you are a people-person, want to make things easier for patients and give reassurance and information in a medical setting, this would be the career to pursue. On your first interview for your career job, the interviewer will supply you with all the information you'll need to know for that particular job in that particular setting.
I wish you all the best with your education for this most awesome career choice!
I have never been a Child Life Specialist but wanted to give you some general advice about your future career.
You may be concerned about work/life balance because, with this career, you most likely would be working in hospitals. That is something that you will have to explore because hospitals are open 24/7 and have staff on all shifts. But since you'd be interacting with child patients before, during and after their medical experiences, most likely this could take place on a morning shift. You won't know your schedule until you actually obtain employment, but it seems to be something that is needed on a first shift (i.e. 7AM - 3PM, 8 AM - 4 PM, etc.).
The thing about thoughts of work/life balance before you even start a career can be something you wonder about, but there's really no way to tell how your own particular life experience will be in the future. People in all careers manage to have work/life balance. It's just something you manage while you are working and setting priorities. So even if people tell you about it now while you are a student, it won't be anything that you can expect. You just have to live it first hand.
If you are worried about burnout now while you are not even yet in the career, then when you are ready to work you can make some decisions. Ask yourself, at that time, if you want to work full time or part time, in a huge busy urban hospital or a suburban setting, and when you obtain the employment you want, explore the expectations and if there will be any outside conferences and trainings that you would be expected to attend. Most people design the physical movements and time commitments of their careers so that they do their work and then have a life outside of work. It's really nothing to actually worry about.
No one can tell you how to prevent burnout because no one knows you, but you shouldn't approach this career worried about burnout. You will indeed work with mild cases such as a child that is having a tonsillectomy or a broken arm that will heal, but you must expect that you will have serious emotionally-packed cases like children that are dealing with life threatening illnesses and sudden disabilities that are permanent. It goes with the job and this will always depend on where you work. Vicarious trauma of the worker can happen but it's not enough to make you dysfunctional. You would have a lot of support on your job from managers, co-workers and attend many in-services and trainings to learn how to manage stress or vicarious trauma. Once you are trained and experienced and starting to work, you will know how to regulate your own perspective. No matter what the case is, you make a big difference for the child and their family.
I apologize that this advice is from someone who didn't have a career in this field, but I wanted to possibly give you some things to think about in general to alleviate any worry about work/life balance and burnout. Try not to overthink the career. If you are a people-person, want to make things easier for patients and give reassurance and information in a medical setting, this would be the career to pursue. On your first interview for your career job, the interviewer will supply you with all the information you'll need to know for that particular job in that particular setting.
I wish you all the best with your education for this most awesome career choice!
Michelle, thank you!