get a job

Well, we moved to the Los Angeles area – Marina del Rey, CA to be precise – so that Carlos could work on an assignment for his company. We’re here temporarily, so I was limited in my job search that way.

Even though I would have liked a full-time job as a teacher, I looked for freelance writing jobs instead. I applied for a lot of writing and editing positions online, using Monster and Careerbuilder. I also used my local Classifieds and Craigslist and applied to a variety of jobs. None seemed to turn out.

Finally, my dad suggested I apply to be a substitute, so I did a search for local schools, called one up, and sent the principal my résumé. The principal, who is just the best person to work with, loved my résumé and soon after I applied, I was called in for a two-week job looking after a Language Arts class! Being a poet with a Master’s in creative writing, it was perfect for me.

And now I can afford to pay all my bills next month!

What’s wonderful about being a substitute teacher is that it gives me some down time to work on my music and writing. And I will continue to look out for freelance writing opportunities.

I’ve considered being a professional blogger, and it is not completely out of mind, but I also know that it is not a short-term solution for my non-employment woes; it would take some time to hone my blogging skills as well as to market my services. In fact, it would just add another long-shot dream with no foundation or funding to my list, right after animal savior, professional musician, and professional poet. So, I’ve decided to, yes, continue to do the things that bring me joy, but be more practical by looking for a full-time job that will finance my efforts, diminish my student loan debts and fund my future home with my future husband.

I filled out a job application through Monster.com, and I think it was a good move. Even if I am not granted an interview, I feel very accomplished having succeeded in this first step.

By the way, I was offered a job to teach at Texas State University, from which I just earned my Master’s degree in Creative Writing/Poetry, but I had to reluctantly turn it down because although my job would have been very emotionally rewarding, it does not justify passing up the wonderful career opportunity Carlos was given in Santa Monica.

Well, it turns out we’re moving right after the wedding b/c Carlos’ company asked him to be part of a project in Santa Monica, California. Very exciting!

But that, together with the wedding planning and my own fatigue from 19 straight years of school, kept me from looking for a summer job or a permanent job. The two other people I asked to write recommendation letters haven’t gotten back to me, but I think they’re waiting to hear where I’m applying. And well, I don’t know!

I did, however, manage to post my resume on Careerbuilder and Monster. I got some cool postings for technical writing positions, which would be very nice. So now I should just switch my location to Santa Monica. I’m thinking I’d like a non-teaching job, like pet sitting, book store attendant, reader/editor, or technical writer because I’ll only be in Santa Monica for short term.

Well, I’m graduating in May and I’ve been teaching college writing to freshmen at my school while I finish my MFA. I’d like to get either a teaching job at the same school, another school, or work at a local paper or magazine.

As far as teaching jobs, I’ve applied to my current school, from which I won’t be hearing ‘til August, and I’ve asked 2 people for recommendation letters for other teaching jobs. I need a 3rd person.

I still need to do a job search on local schools and local papers and magazines. I haven’t been put together enough to do that b/c of grad school, so I’m going to start when things slow down.

Also, it would be nice to have a part-time job over the summer to pad the income ‘cause I’m getting married in August and we want to buy a home.