Job search

Trying to find a job in education in the middle of the school year is ... well, let's just say the timing isn't the best. Some days I feel like "why don't I have a job already?" (since finishing grad school in December, I've been on two interviews and was a finalist for one position), while other days I'm content with being unemployed, because I anticipate finding something in the fall.

The fact that I changed careers for this potential new job makes it difficult as well, because if I were still working my former job at least I'd have guaranteed income. Then I remember how that job was beginning to wear me down, and how I'm excited in my new role. Switching it up was the right choice.

So, what can I do in the meantime to boost my chances for employment? I'm currently volunteering at a school to maintain experience and continue making connections with others in the field. I belong to the local and national professional groups. Any suggestions out there?

The other option is to simply enjoy this respite from full-time school and work before plunging back into reality. This is tempting! Then I start worrying about money, the future, etc. and I lose my enthusiasm...

35 in 365

I've been reading about New Year's Resolutions and the 101 goals in 1,001 days idea. I thought I'd combine the two and make it 35 goals in 365 days. I find it easier to create goals for a year rather than 3 years - it keeps me more focused.

So, here we go! I may edit this list slightly as I think of more ideas. Perhaps I can find something more ambitious to do than beating a level on Guitar Hero...

1. Find a school counseling job. (found job til June, anyway!)
2. Write 40 articles for the newspaper. (12/40)
3. Hit the gym 3x per week (week=Monday-Sunday). (22/156)
4. Weigh 135 for my wedding in April. (I was 135 before we left for Aruba - but we did eat a lot before the wedding! My dress fit. I'm calling it a success).
5. Go parasailing. This was both fun and scary!
6. Go to Red Sox spring training.
7. Donate 6 pints of blood. (1/6)
8. Read 50 books. (12/50)
9. Read 5 personal finance books (1/5).
10. Save $5,000 in an emergency fund.
11. Invest $2,000 in an index fund.
12. Watch a sunrise on the beach.
13. Attend a cooking class.
14. Make 5 desserts from scratch. (1/5)
15. Make 25 meals from scratch. (1/25)
16. Clean/purge office closet.
17. Clean/purge filing cabinet.
18. Clean/purge basement.
19. Hold a garage sale. Bonus points: make $500.
20. Give up coffee for Lent. (It got tough those last few weeks!)
21. Watch 10 movies I haven't seen before (1/10).
22. Buy a laptop.
23. Break 100 in golf 5 times.
24. Break 90 in golf once.
25. Win 10 singles matches in tennis (6/10). (Lost just two games in 5 of 6 matches).
26. Run one road race.
27. Complete pyramid of 20 push-ups and bicycles. (20 push-ups, flip over, 20 bicycles, 19, 18...down to 1)
28. Attend a music concert.
29. Write a will.
30. Change all the lightbulbs in the house to CFLs.
31. Pay off student loan.
32. Spend no money for one week.
33. Volunteer once a month (1/12).
34. Buy a Nintendo Wii. (Received as wedding gift!)
35. Beat a level of Guitar Hero.

Last updated 5/10/08