Proof that my hometown just is not for me
A rather interesting article I came across recently, published a little more than two months ago: http://www.careerjournal.com/columnists/perspective/20060329-fmp.html
The quote that really stood out to me:
"For some, it's because they choose to live in smaller cities, where opportunity is limited. But often it seems as if the job market isn't able to absorb all the advanced-degree holders at the pace colleges and universities are churning them out. Where are all these people going to work?"
Strangely enough, when I found the article, it was through another blog criticizing its argument. I am sort of forced to agree that if one looks into markets where there isn't much opportunity, it's rather difficult to find work. That should not be a surprise to anyone.
The supreme irony is that once I graduate from Stanford here, were I, by some egregious lapse in judgment, to decide to pursue a career where my parents currently live, I would be jobless. Around here in the Bay Area, though, I have found no doors (at least in tech, which relates to my field) closed to me. The fact I've been able to get employment at places like Microsoft (worked a summer), Amazon (wished I had worked the summer there), VMWare, and Google (working this summer there) seems telling of the, at least perceived, ability I possess and the quality of the education I was fortunate enough to receive.
The truth, however, is that at least as far as my education is relevant to this specific field, it's not at all portable. Were I to wish to eschew the Bay Area with its startups or the prestigious, established tech companies in the area or in Seattle, serious job issues would ensue. I personally don't feel any regret of any sort, given my attachment to this place now and the fact that the imminent exodus of my parents from Ohio would render me without any connection to my birthplace. It seems strangely fitting that in my subconscious urge to disconnect from my past I have chosen a pathway that may very well accomplish that exact goal in a way that, unfortunately, may trap me forever in this place. I still am of the opinion that I can pursue other pathways a more general than tech, but regardless, returning "home" will never be an option for any possible line of work for me, whether I like it or not.
The quote that really stood out to me:
"For some, it's because they choose to live in smaller cities, where opportunity is limited. But often it seems as if the job market isn't able to absorb all the advanced-degree holders at the pace colleges and universities are churning them out. Where are all these people going to work?"
Strangely enough, when I found the article, it was through another blog criticizing its argument. I am sort of forced to agree that if one looks into markets where there isn't much opportunity, it's rather difficult to find work. That should not be a surprise to anyone.
The supreme irony is that once I graduate from Stanford here, were I, by some egregious lapse in judgment, to decide to pursue a career where my parents currently live, I would be jobless. Around here in the Bay Area, though, I have found no doors (at least in tech, which relates to my field) closed to me. The fact I've been able to get employment at places like Microsoft (worked a summer), Amazon (wished I had worked the summer there), VMWare, and Google (working this summer there) seems telling of the, at least perceived, ability I possess and the quality of the education I was fortunate enough to receive.
The truth, however, is that at least as far as my education is relevant to this specific field, it's not at all portable. Were I to wish to eschew the Bay Area with its startups or the prestigious, established tech companies in the area or in Seattle, serious job issues would ensue. I personally don't feel any regret of any sort, given my attachment to this place now and the fact that the imminent exodus of my parents from Ohio would render me without any connection to my birthplace. It seems strangely fitting that in my subconscious urge to disconnect from my past I have chosen a pathway that may very well accomplish that exact goal in a way that, unfortunately, may trap me forever in this place. I still am of the opinion that I can pursue other pathways a more general than tech, but regardless, returning "home" will never be an option for any possible line of work for me, whether I like it or not.