Hobbies and interests
Board Games And Puzzles
Gaming
Hiking And Backpacking
Dance
Music
Reading
Fantasy
Science Fiction
military history
Biography
mythology
I read books daily
Paul Aune
755
Bold Points1x
FinalistPaul Aune
755
Bold Points1x
FinalistBio
I am a former Navy brat, lifeguard, stagehand, help desk engineer, email abuse analyst, system administrator, grocery store clerk, and mail carrier. I have returned to school to become a professional helper. I am in continuous, long term recovery from substance abuse and mental illness, and I have been since 1990.
My wife is a foreign service officer with USAID. We travel from country to country with her work. At each post, I pick up at least some of the local language as we explore the local culture together. We visit museums, ruins, geological features, indigenous healers and crafts-persons, and local restaurants.
Education
Stephen F Austin State University
Master's degree programMajors:
- Social Work
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Social Work
Northern Virginia Community College
Associate's degree programMajors:
- Social Sciences, General
Sherwood High School
High SchoolMiscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Master's degree program
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
- Social Work
Career
Dream career field:
social work
Dream career goals:
change advocate
Assistant Rural Carrier
United States Postal Service2022 – 2022Office Volunteer
Habitat for Humanity2022 – 2022Stagehand
Various1994 – 201319 yearsClerk
Giant of Maryland, LLC2009 – 20167 yearsStudent Intern
Compass Health2021 – 2021
Sports
Wrestling
Varsity1988 – 19891 year
Wrestling
Junior Varsity1987 – 19881 year
Future Interests
Advocacy
Volunteering
Your Dream Music Scholarship
The song that holds the most message for me is Hideaway by Erasure on the Circus album. The message was that I could still survive even being rejected by my loved ones. I could be brave on my own.
When I got into long-term recovery from substance abuse and mental illness in the summer of 1990, I listened to this song (and the rest of the album) daily. I felt so alone living in an Oxford house at age 19. Both of my parents had enabled my substance use, and so I was forbidden to live with either of them as part of my aftercare plan. This song helped me plumb the depths of my grief and sit still with it.
I felt sad from being rejected by my father in rehab. He denied my diseases in a family session while I was still inpatient. I could no longer trust him for emotional support. This song helped me survive and do the next right thing anyway.
I revisited this song about 3 years later, putting it back into daily rotation, when I started to question my sexuality and gender. I was rejected by my very Catholic mother. The lack of support made me feel sad and separated from her. This song helped me to be brave and do well.
I did not come out to my dad for another year or two more. Doing so was very scary, and he did not respond right away. I needed to listen to listen to the album again while I awaited his reaction and expected fall-out. Once again, I grew strength and bravery from this song.
Lost Dreams Awaken Scholarship
Recovery at its root is a restoration to sanity. Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of the steps means that I am fit to carry the message to others, but I must first be restored to a state of grace (whether or not such a state was ever a part of my life before I began using) to do anything. In my case, I needed to get clean before I could treat my mental illnesses, before I could be a partner or friend or son, before I could study, before I could understand my sexuality, before I could know my purpose, before I could unearth my childhood traumas, and before I could be of use in any other area of my life.
Recovery is the foundation of my life, and I am so grateful that it started back on June 8th, 1990. It was on that day that I asked for help, and it was that day I accepted the help that was offered. I have been clean ever since. I am about to graduate with a Bachelor of Social Work degree, and I am applying to graduate schools to get my Master of Social Work degree.