Almost there!

So we're almost there! There's very little left in terms of training modules for the NRFU training. I feel very confident with the whole process, and I'm ready to get out there! Tomorrow, we've got another module or two with the trainers and an open book test to take. The test is a big joke on many levels. Firstly, the test is in the back of our training workbooks, and we were directed to look at it ahead of time. Secondly, the questions are not hard at all. Thirdly, it can't possibly mean jack because we all basically have had an untimed, open book test of easy questions. Whatever.

Around 2pm tomorrow, we actually start knocking on doors! We met our crew leaders tonight. Our guy is Ron, and he lives right around the corner. I think we really lucked out with him. He seems to be capable, yet cool. He's exactly the kind of manager I would be. He's going to hold our daily meetings in the park up at the end of Weld Hill- that's pretty cool! I plan to cut through the cemetery to get there. :)

One of the coolest things about training is that on the first night, I chose a spot at a table, and out of 60 or so people, 2 guys came to sit right near me. We chatted a bit on Monday, and it turned out that we all live practically next to each other. I jokingly commented on Monday that all of the cool Forest Hills people just gravitate to each other. It must be true! Both of them have grown to be friends over the course of the week. I think I mentioned in an earlier post that I was hoping to make a friend or two! Also, these two new friends and I ended up in the same district group so we have the same crew leader, and we'll see each other regularly.

Eventually, each enumerator is assigned their own binder which contains their NRFU assignments. Ron only had two binders when we met him today, so tomorrow we're going out in teams of two for our first "live" work. I was assigned one of the binders, and my new buddy James and I will go enumerate with that binder together. It contains many assignments in my immediate area: Tower Street, Woodlawn, Hyde Park Ave, etc. Our district area goes all the way east to Blue Hill Ave and all the way north to Seaver Street- it's a relatively huge area because it also contains the Forest Hills Cemetery and Franklin Park. I'm not really looking forward to enumerating in some of the neighborhoods in our district, but I probably won't have to much around Blue Hill Ave- there are other people on our team that live there.

I'm happy that the training is almost over- it was definitely a long week. I'm glad that I've made some friends, and I'm ready to get out in the field. I'll let you know how it goes!

NRFU? Oh no you di'nt! NERF-U!

First day of for-reals training today. I enjoyed it so much more than yesterday although other people didn't agree with me. The girl next to me kept sighing and yawning audibly throughout the evening. We covered the basics of what our materials will be and how to fill the EQ (Enumerator Questionnaire... they have a thing for acronyms) in the most simple situation. Our trainers were really nice, and they didn't yell at us like the ladies yesterday so that made the night more pleasurable.

So my official job is NRFU (pronounced Nerf-You) for Non Response Follow Up, and I started to get excited about the job once I got a good mental image of what I'll be doing... finding the locations, interviewing the occupants, etc.

They also told us today that they are still looking for more Crew Leader Assistants, and they will choose some from our group of 60 or so people. I hope they will consider me- especially because they originally called me to be a crew leader in the first place! When I mentioned that the girl sitting next to me, she said, "Whoa! You must have done REALLY good on the test!" Well yeah... I'm reasonably sure I got every question on the test right. I'm not being cocky! It was easy! Can you alphabetize? Yes! Can you read a map? Yes! Can you arrange dates chronologically? Hell yeah!

Day Three is tomorrow. I plan to sit in the front again, raise my hand and enjoy myself.

Wear shoes you can run in.

I just got home from my first night of training. It was a complete zoo. There were 80 people there! For some reason, they didn't anticipate that the evening training session would be so popular... someone actually said that. If you are looking for people who can work during the evenings and on weekends, it seems to me that the PRIMARY trainings should be nights and weekends, right? If only I ruled the world.

Today was the admin day, and we spent five hours filling out forms and being fingerprinted- although at 9pm, half of the 80 still hadn't been fingerprinted and had to stay. They were lucky in way- they got to stay on the clock (at $22.75/hour) while waiting around.

We received badges (no photos... we wrote our names on them) and black shoulder bags with our materials. We also were given a basic safety lecture, and I wonder if we'll receive a more extensive safety training later. The women talked about wearing seat belts, not putting your face right up to a dog's face, locking sensitive documents away, and oh yes... we were told to wear shoes we can run in. That was a highlight. It's good advice, though... if you're walking around the city in any case!

Tomorrow we start more regular training, and on Friday we'll meet our Crew Leaders (man, I wish I could have trained for that position). I wonder how much melt there will be as the week goes on.

Pre-training Update

I'm starting to feel like the Boston South Recruiting office isn't managed very well. When I was signed up for the night training a few weeks back, the girl said I would receive a confirmation phone call before the training. As of 2:30 today, I hadn't received that call so I called the recruitment office. When I said that I wanted to confirm the location, the woman said that I received a phone call from my crew leader this weekend... which I didn't. I was put on hold for several minutes, and when she came back, she didn't know what training I was in. I had to tell her I was in the night training that starts at 4pm today! She was abrupt and not very helpful. Sigh. I hope this wasn't a mistake. I don't really want to work for the organization if it is poorly managed. Wish me luck!

I'm the Enumerator

Census training starts on Monday. 4-9pm Monday-Friday and then all day on Saturday. It's quite extensive! I was hired as an "Enumerator", but let me explain a little about how I got here.

The local census office was conducting testing sessions at the school I work at, and when I heard about these sessions, I thought it might be a neat experience. Why not get involved with something that is so important for the country? Maybe I'll learn a thing or two about my community. The bonus is that is pays pretty well! I've got some big travel plans for the summer, and I could sure use the cash for the trip and gear. They require you to work at least 20 hours per week, so I will be forced to log lots of time. Many people have been intrigued about this particular escapade of mine, so I decided to blog about it!

To apply for the census job, you first have to take a 30 minute test which determines whether or not you can alphabetize, read a map, do simple math, etc. It was pretty easy- if you have half a brain. There was a brief introduction that spoke in very general terms about the available positions, but we didn't really receive many details. After the testing session, I didn't hear anything from the office for about month. I was first offered a crew leader position... management... sweet! Unfortunately, that position required me to attend a four day training during the week. I couldn't attend because I didn't want to take the time off from work- even though I could have. They put my application back in the pool, and I didn't hear from them again for a couple of weeks.

When they called again, they offered me the enumerator position for $22.75/hour (and I think that was the exact same hourly rate as the crew leader if I'm remembering right). Again, they asked if I could attend a four day training, and I said no. My heart sank a second time, but then she said there was an alternate training in the evenings from 4-9pm Monday-Friday and all day on Saturday. Sign me up!! I'll have to leave work early all week, but it'll be okay.

I'm looking forward to the training- I hope they make it bearable. Maybe I'll make some new friends. I'm sure I'll find out all sorts of information about what my job actually is and how to do it. We'll be fingerprinted on Monday. I guess that means I can't commit any crimes from here on out. Also, I'll officially be a federal employee! That's wicked hot.

So here we go. I'll update this blog as I go through training and start the actual work. Thanks for reading!