For the past month while I was in a state of transition from one job to the next, I took a job as a summer counselor on the campus of Colorado at Boulder. In late May when I was beginning to realize my nonprofit job did not hold a future for me, I began doing some rudimentary job searching to see what was out there. However, in the interim I decided it would be best to take a short-term employment opportunity and while I was doing that, I could begin to more thoroughly analyze the job market that was available to me. So I called up my employer from the last three summers and asked if they had any opportunities available. They responded that there was a number of programs that still needed staff and one of my former co-workers suggested that I join her in the inaugural program in Boulder.
Four weeks in Colorado and not having to pay for food and lodging? Done and done.
And so for the past month, I was in beautiful Boulder helping to ensure that we kept 95 students from all over the world safe and secure during their three week stay on the campus. We also tried to give them a little bit of what Colorado had to offer so the students also took day trips to Rocky Mountain National Park, Denver, Colorado Springs, Six Flags, and the local Boulder community including shopping, movies, and hiking all while attempting to avoid (sometimes unsuccessfully) the patented mountain weather that would produce afternoon showers on a moment's notice. When all was said and done, I had a chance to work with 10 amazing students from around the world and 10 staff who did their best to ensure that I didn't feel too old despite the fact that I was the oldest counselor.
Once that experience was done, I had one last opportunity that would prevent me from entering the job hunt. The day I returned to Sacramento, I immediately dropped off my dirty clothes, checked my mail, and hopped in my car to head to Lake Tahoe for a week. I stayed with my grandparents and my uncle in what has become a yearly tradition and it again came at a great time for me as I was spoiled by my grandparents' cooking and had another week of free lodging. I got to see my extended family who I see once a year and got to once again tan in the Tahoe sun, leaving me with my best tan of the year that will have faded in a month's time. At the end of my time there, I said my goodbyes and trekked back to Sacramento where my job hunt is now in full swing.
So, how does a job hunt work in 2015? Well to be honest, the big thing is to decide what I want to do next. So that was the number one thing. In addition, I've used this time to update each and every thing that a potential employer might need: My resume, my writing samples, my reference list, my LinkedIn profile, and my Facebook profile (because, yes, employers will look at that too) were all given a shiny, new upgrade. I also created a profile for Idealist.org, a site which lists many nonprofit opportunities and through which I found my previous job. Once the nitty gritty was complete, I then had a chance to think about what I want to be when I grow up and whether or not these things were realistic. I ended up breaking down this line of thought into 5 possible tracks:
1. Blogger
This would be ideal as I am at a point where I would like to do something with my writing. This is a career that appeals to a lot of people because of how flexible it is. Most blogger opportunities are remote, which is extremely attractive, especially for someone my age with no living restrictions or commitments. Unfortunately, these positions are rare and so for each one there is intense competition. I recently applied for a blogger position for a GMO nonprofit based out of Oakland and received word that there were 180 candidates for the single position. Even Katniss Everdeen had better odds in her favor than me for that particular position.
2. Education Nonprofit
Despite my first failed attempt at working for a nonprofit, I'm not willing to shut the door on the field entirely. However, if I were to pursue another nonprofit work situation it would have to be in the education field. Fortunately, there are positions available if you can find the right opportunity. I feel like this would be a career I could really get behind. One of my holdups about teaching was the fact that your influence is small; you only impact the students you teach rather than the system as a whole. The education nonprofits out there often work with struggling students across a variety of schools and communities. There have been some postings about becoming a program coordinator for one of these nonprofits. That is something that would interest me as I could use both my education background and my staff management background from my previous job.
3. Campaign Worker
In 16 months, the United States will elect its 45th president. As someone who is passionate about politics and who loves the behind-the-scenes action, I've always been intrigued with the possibility of working on a presidential campaign. Unfortunately, I don't have any ins at this point, but I do have a couple of friends who worked on campaigns who are asking around for me. Even if it were for a short time with non-so-great pay, I think it would be a fascinating experience to work on a presidential campaign. My current Netflix obsession is The West Wing and I'm currently watching season 7 where they hit the campaign trail. That, for me, would be an amazing experience where I could use my knowledge of politics and hopefully my writing as well to become a valuable member of a campaign staff. And hey, who knows? If you back the right horse there may be a nice job at the end of the line for you in Washington, DC.
4. Teacher
The reason I left teaching is because I became frustrated with the inherent inequality that the education system today propagates. However, despite my ideological disagreements with the system, I still enjoyed teaching and the day-to-day interaction with the students. I was good at what I did and the salary and time off during the year was definitely a plus. As of now, I'm not actively looking to teach again, but if push came to shove I wouldn't mind teaching again if I found the right situation. I don't believe that door is permanently closed for me at this point in my life, but I also realize that it is frustrating to be part of a system that ultimately hurts children, especially by having an administration that either refuses to recognize or doesn't realize how much harm they are doing. I wouldn't go back to teaching kick and screaming per say, but I also would feel like a hypocrite being part of a system I know doesn't work and that does damage to our children's future.
5. World Traveler
I put this option on the list for the sole reason that if all else fails, it wouldn't actually be the worst thing in the world. I have been meaning to travel and see the world and what better time to do it then at age 30 when I have no home to own, no spouse, no children, and no pets? Sure it would eat into my savings a bit, but what better way to broaden my horizons than to take a two-three month trek around the world flying solo? Yes, it would be financially irresponsible and may be slightly dangerous depending on where I go, but what better way for me to get in an amazing life experience before I settle down and start my own family? Plus, I could write about it and that writing could turn into a best-selling memoir which allows me to both 1) Pay the bills and 2) Attain a career as a writer. That's how it works, right? You travel the world, write a best-selling book about it and everything works out? At least, that's what Hollywood has led me to believe.
So that is where I stand. Each day I search job boards and hope to find the job that combines all my passions into one. The job where I am challenged every day, but rise to the challenge because I believe in the work. The job where my boss is equally passionate and delves into the work each and every day because he wants to make the world a better place and firmly believes in the company's mission. The job where we work behind the scenes to achieve monumental social justice victories but never celebrate because we know the work is never done. That is the job I'm looking for and that is the job I feel is right for me. I know that job is out there somewhere.
Now all I have to do is find it.
