Making decisions
A combination of factors leads me to often think about getting that job after I done here, many financial such as the student loan interest report and this last social security benefits report (apparently I’ve never made more than $17000 a year). I’m on the WPA-listserve, and lots of positions get announced there; I also visit the Higher Ed Jobs and ADE sites occasionally to get an idea of what’s out there. But as I search place is the major factor. For instance, I’ve only lived in two places that were not near/on water–southern Arizona and west-central Louisiana–and I have a hard time imagining not living next to it, even if it’s a dream job. My most frequented states: Michigan and Washington (Great Lakes and the Pacific). Snow is important too. I X-country ski (no need to buy a lift ticket), and I’d like to add snowboarding, so Colorado, Utah, again, Washington. Then there’s mountain biking–trails. Madison is great for biking, but it’s a road bike town. Food and beer; those are important. A lot of my thinking is based on places I’ve already lived and considering the feel of the place. Each place felt different and some better than than others.
Then I realize I haven’t gotten to anything about the actual job. I wonder how others go about their searches.
I am actually stoked that I don’t have to make that decision! My fiance is applying for residencies right now and where ever he gets one, that is where I’m going. Then I will find a job when I get there. I’ve watched some of my friends freak out about where they are going to go when they graduate. Some have gone through so many interviews and gone to so many different states for their interviews and its crazy! I’m so happy that I don’t really have to go through all of that. I just get to watch my fiancee do it while I sit back and chill out!
Comment by Steph — November 22, 2006 @ 9:52 pm
I think about it a lot, but I’ve also resigned myself to the fact that I’ll have to make decisions based on what is available - at least for that first year or so. There are definitely regions I don’t want to be at, though.
Comment by k8 — November 23, 2006 @ 2:02 am
How to decide? I like your approach. As I look into my future after graduation I think about a lot of the same things you mentioned. Depending on you occupation, the where can be much more important than the what. My thought process is where do I want to live, not who is going to hire me. Again some of this difference can be determined for you depending on the type of job. Personally I would not want to be involved in a field where I was not in control of the final destination. And lets face it Rick, the midwest is nice, Madison is great, but everything we need is out west. California, Colorado, Arizona take your pick. I would have to say that Oregon is just about the perfect combination of all the goodies.
Comment by Matt Mikulecky — November 24, 2006 @ 8:49 pm