Shhh...I'm hunting jobs...
Several people have asked me about my new job search, via LJ and elsewhere, so I thought I would go into a little more detail.
Basically, my job search starts with my two passions:
1. Music
2. Travel/International/Japanese/ ehhh (picture me waving my hands in a "that sort of thing" manner)
Then, it branches out into what I can actually do:
1. Write
2. ??? Film-ish things?
3. Speak Japanese, about half-way fluently
Then, my eventual career goals:
1. Music journalist
2. Something in Japan, preferably a government job
Practical requirements:
1. Full-time
2. at least 30 grand a year, maybe 27 grand
3. Insurance
Which leads to my current job applications in the mill, followed by explanations:
1. Student Services Associate in the UA Office of the University Registrar
This job is in Tuscaloosa, where I have to live until July, when my lease runs out. I worked part-time in the Registrar's office last semester, and the people there are great. And I actually kind of enjoy working with records management--I've been doing it ever since I started working at the law firm. I enjoy using my organization skills, and I'm good at it. But, it's a run-of-the-mill office job that has little to do with my eventual career goals. Basically, it would be a good job because it's close; I already know the people who work there; good university benefits. But other than that, I dunno.
2. Proofreader at Luckie & Co. advertising agency in Birmingham
Luckie is one of the most reputable ad agencies in the South; they've done some pretty high profile ads for Regions (the green bikes) and various ads for AT&T. I chose this job because proofreading is basically my life, especially when I was teaching, so I'm good at it, and my film degree would actually be useful in this job. Plus, Luckie seems like a really cool, creative company that would probably help my career later on. Benefits and pay are unknown as of now; I've been calling the HR director for a week since I forwarded my cover letter and resume, and I always get her voicemail. So we'll see.
3. Writer/Editor for the FBI in their D.C. HQ
I would be working with agents and typing up case reports. And I would be living in D.C. And pay (w/ my M.A.) and benefits are amazing. Could lead to an eventual job in the State Dept., where I have some connections. I'm not expecting much from this one, but I thought I would try.
4. Writer/Editor for Nintendo in Redmond, WA.
I would be writing manuscripts for games and instruction manuals. At Nintendo. Do I have to explain why I would love this job?
5. Writer/Editor for ALCARH (Alabama Council for Affordable and Rural Housing)in Tuscaloosa
The executive for the organization emailed me today, and she wants to call me tomorrow. I don't know a lot of details about this one, but it looks like I would be writing material for their scholarship fund. It's a lobbying organization, but I think they lobby for a pretty good cause. The member companies of the organization build affordable housing for low-income families, but I've seen some of their work, and these aren't your typical housing projects. I almost applied to live in one of their apartment complexes in Florence (my income definitely made me eligible), but I backed out at the last moment.
And that's all I can find at the moment. I don't know if you noticed or not, but we're in the middle of a recession, and I picked probably the worst time to get a job in the history of picking times to find a job. But maybe with a masters degree I'll have somewhat of an edge. I hope.
Geographically, Itsumi and I are wide-open. I think I want to go to the Pacific Northwest some day, but it doesn't have to be immediate. And then, the eventual goal is to live in Japan.
Teaching is not an option--at least, not now. I enjoyed teaching, but honestly, it's not a job that I want to do for the rest of my life, unless I could teach literature, film, or something else I'm intellectually interested in. Teaching writing is a physically, mentally, and emotionally draining job, for me anyway.
Basically, my job search starts with my two passions:
1. Music
2. Travel/International/Japanese/ ehhh (picture me waving my hands in a "that sort of thing" manner)
Then, it branches out into what I can actually do:
1. Write
2. ??? Film-ish things?
3. Speak Japanese, about half-way fluently
Then, my eventual career goals:
1. Music journalist
2. Something in Japan, preferably a government job
Practical requirements:
1. Full-time
2. at least 30 grand a year, maybe 27 grand
3. Insurance
Which leads to my current job applications in the mill, followed by explanations:
1. Student Services Associate in the UA Office of the University Registrar
This job is in Tuscaloosa, where I have to live until July, when my lease runs out. I worked part-time in the Registrar's office last semester, and the people there are great. And I actually kind of enjoy working with records management--I've been doing it ever since I started working at the law firm. I enjoy using my organization skills, and I'm good at it. But, it's a run-of-the-mill office job that has little to do with my eventual career goals. Basically, it would be a good job because it's close; I already know the people who work there; good university benefits. But other than that, I dunno.
2. Proofreader at Luckie & Co. advertising agency in Birmingham
Luckie is one of the most reputable ad agencies in the South; they've done some pretty high profile ads for Regions (the green bikes) and various ads for AT&T. I chose this job because proofreading is basically my life, especially when I was teaching, so I'm good at it, and my film degree would actually be useful in this job. Plus, Luckie seems like a really cool, creative company that would probably help my career later on. Benefits and pay are unknown as of now; I've been calling the HR director for a week since I forwarded my cover letter and resume, and I always get her voicemail. So we'll see.
3. Writer/Editor for the FBI in their D.C. HQ
I would be working with agents and typing up case reports. And I would be living in D.C. And pay (w/ my M.A.) and benefits are amazing. Could lead to an eventual job in the State Dept., where I have some connections. I'm not expecting much from this one, but I thought I would try.
4. Writer/Editor for Nintendo in Redmond, WA.
I would be writing manuscripts for games and instruction manuals. At Nintendo. Do I have to explain why I would love this job?
5. Writer/Editor for ALCARH (Alabama Council for Affordable and Rural Housing)in Tuscaloosa
The executive for the organization emailed me today, and she wants to call me tomorrow. I don't know a lot of details about this one, but it looks like I would be writing material for their scholarship fund. It's a lobbying organization, but I think they lobby for a pretty good cause. The member companies of the organization build affordable housing for low-income families, but I've seen some of their work, and these aren't your typical housing projects. I almost applied to live in one of their apartment complexes in Florence (my income definitely made me eligible), but I backed out at the last moment.
And that's all I can find at the moment. I don't know if you noticed or not, but we're in the middle of a recession, and I picked probably the worst time to get a job in the history of picking times to find a job. But maybe with a masters degree I'll have somewhat of an edge. I hope.
Geographically, Itsumi and I are wide-open. I think I want to go to the Pacific Northwest some day, but it doesn't have to be immediate. And then, the eventual goal is to live in Japan.
Teaching is not an option--at least, not now. I enjoyed teaching, but honestly, it's not a job that I want to do for the rest of my life, unless I could teach literature, film, or something else I'm intellectually interested in. Teaching writing is a physically, mentally, and emotionally draining job, for me anyway.