Amazing job. I was there for 4 years for a reason. The boys are usually amazing, there are definitely hard things and hard days within this job. I would have to say that I absolutely loved this job 85% of the time. There was that 15% of the time where the boys were awful...but that always ends eventually. The best thing about those bad times are that you have an amazing staff around you. The therapists that work there are always open to talk if you have concerns or if you just need to vent because the boys suck sometimes.
The new program manager is amazing. She really does a great job organizing and running the place. When you fully invest yourself into this job it can honestly change your life as you are changing boys' lives around you. I loved it here. I highly recommend this job to any college student at Weber State or Utah State.
I know the job is in Brigham City but please don't be intimidated. The drive really isn't that bad and almost all of your co-workers are willing to car pool.
What I wish was different
I wish employees would have received more training, more often from the owners and therapists. When the training did happen, it was always amazing and eye-opening. When training lacked, performance lacked at the facility which meant boys were also kind of running the place.
Advice
You are not friends with the boys. You are their mentor. Be friendly to them, but don't be their friends. Find that line of holding boundaries and being friendly with them. They will manipulate you the first chance you get so always take what they say with some doubt in mind. If you have questions about a rule, a consequence for the boys, or any sort of question just ask! Lots of employees there have been there for a while. Don't be shy.
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Mentor
October 2018 • Brigham City, UT
What I liked
The applicability to my major in psychology was huge for me, my coworkers are amazing people and so much fun to work with, the shifts are 8 hour shifts which make driving to Brigham City worth it and also meant that the paychecks are much better, it is so much fun working with boys who have addiction issues and helping them progress in their therapy as well as participating in the activities they like to do. Overall an amazing experience with tons of application to my major and it looks better on a resume than taco bell!
What I wish was different
There was almost nothing in terms of formal training and left me to figure out how to be a good mentor on my own.
Advice
Make sure this is an area you are passionate in before going to work here. It is an amazing job and it does look great on a grad school application because there are a lot of skills to be learned at Catalyst, but there are stressful and hard days that do make it hard to work there sometimes.
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Mentor
May 2019 • Brigham City, UT
What I liked
The job is really uplifting and meaningful. It can be hard sometimes but the difficulties help me grow and learn. Building relationships with the students has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. Great co-workers.
What I wish was different
Program manager is not great at his job and can make things difficult at times. But other leaders at the facility help combat the things that he lacks and are helpful.
Advice
Just TALK. Most new mentors struggle with building relationships with the boys. I forced myself to just chit chat with them whenever there was an opportunity and I was able to gain their respect quickly.
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Youth Mentor
November 2014 • Brigham City, UT
What I liked
Fairly easy job on night shift. The kids are great, fun to work with for the most part.
What I wish was different
Advice
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Mentor
January 2018 • Brigham City, UT
What I liked
I enjoyed getting to know the boys that live at the center and hearing about their life stories. Lots of people hear about troubled youth and immediately draw conclusions about them and how they are. But in reality the boys here are good kids who just made some bad choices in the past.
What I wish was different
I would love some more people to come and work so that we had more of a full staff. Being that Catalyst is in Brigham City it can turn a lot of people away.
Advice
I would learn that holding boundaries is important in any relationship. Especially with the boys at this program.
