The journey to a fullfilling career...

Since I graduated from graduate school in May of 2009 I have been on the hunt for a job in the field of which I earned my degree. It has not been an easy process to say the least, frustrating is word I would use to describe it. I have of job, which I am forever thankful for (which I've mentioned in my previous post), however, at the end of the day 90% of the time I do not feel a since of accomplishment.

I've grown up in the generation where I need instant gratification, and when I don't get it I feel that I'm not living up to my potential. I want to help people, I want to see the look on people/students faces when I help them. The job I have now will have a huge impact on people three or four years from now (by the time the proposals are submitted, contracts are granted, and our product is produced). So I do feel like I'm making an impact by helping people, but it is not what I'm use to and I think that is half my problem.

Growing up all of my teachers, mentors, parental figures, professors, advisors, etc have always told me to study what you are passionate about, go to school for it, set goals and accomplish them. I know that they also told me that the road to get to my career goal would not be easy, and I am well aware of that. However, now that I'm out in the real world and I'm currently in a job that I do not feel fits my professional personality half of those same people are telling me "be thankful you have a job" "no one has a job that they truly love" "half the people that went to school for a certain degree are now in a career that doesn't involve their degree"...well I think that is the most frustrating part in all of this for me.

I know that I won't be in the job I have now forever, and I will move on to bigger and better things for myself, however...people need to pick one side of the story and stick too it. Don't tell children to basically follow the "American Dream" and then when they are adults tell them "ohh sorry I know I told you as a child you can do whatever you want to do, but in the real world you can't really do that so find something else!"

I'm not picking on anyone in particular by any means. I have talked to people my age and had many discussions about this topic and they all agree. So it is not just me, or my mentors, teachers, professors...it is society. The economy sucks, in the perfect world we would all have a job that would give us fulfillment and the motivation to wake up every morning, but that is not always the case. I am thankful for the guidance I received from everyone in the past, if it wasn't for them I wouldn't be where I am today. I have done a lot in 26 years, and I'm proud of that. Being part of the "selfish" generation, I want more!!

I will not give up on my career. I want to be working with students and helping them on a daily basis. It might not happen today, but I can shoot for tomorrow.

Post Grad Days!

It has been a year since I've graduated from grad school. A lot has happened. After graduation I moved to Mass to live with my boyfriend, Evan. In July we will be celebrating our second anniversary. I spent all of last summer search for a job in student/academic affairs at an institution in Mass/Southern NH. Sadly I was not able to find a job in my field right away, and my student loans were going to starting flowing in. Luckily I found a job writing proposals for my boss who runs a small business and contracts with the department of defense doing research for the military. It is not my ideal job by any means, but I'm learning a lot and thankful for what my pay check has provided me. Evan and I moved into our first apartment in November; it is a brand new building and we have made it our home. I predict that we will be here for a couple years before we decide to move on. In February I was able to buy my first "new" car. A 2008 Toyota Corolla (not to worry, no break problems). I'm making great headway on my student loans and car payments.

I like to think that I am very responsible adult, who has my priorities in line. There is nothing that I would change about my life, besides my job. That will come with time though...I keep looking and applying. The right job will come along, I just know it!!! Staying positive is really hard at the end of a long day, where I do not feel like I get the respect I deserve. However, life hands you lemons...

On a very excited note, Evan and I are making a huge addition to our family. We are getting a puppy. She is a cockapoo or as Evan refers to her a Spoodle! Half cockapoo/half poodle. Her name is Molly and we are getting her Friday, June 18th. We have puppy proofed the apartment as much as we can, done the research on training her. I would say that we are going to make great puppy parents. I am equally as excited to see how this will bring Evan and I even closer. He is my other half, and I love him more than words can explain. I pray to God that he will always be in my life.