Three Strikes in One Day

Well, to those of you who have followed my excursion into the nonprofit world, it will come as no surprise that I am job hunting again. I am still working and trying to help at my organization, but I have not been able to find a way to contribute meaningfully in my current workplace environment. I could provide a plethora of details and lots of stories, but I will spare you. Just talk to my wife, and she can catch you up on the drama. Thus, I have been actively networking, calling on friends, applying for jobs... all while working full-time and going to college at night.

Today has not been a good day. I received three "thanks for trying" responses on three of the jobs I applied for.

What I want: one job in community or economic development that pays enough to live on and will provide an opportunity to use my education and grow in my experience... seems pretty clear, or so I thought.

What I have found: It's a field with no entry-level positions. So, everyone expects experience and a 4-year degree. I've got limited experience and almost my master's degree, but that has not cut it yet. Also, the Midwest is not a very friendly environment for community development (apart from Chicago maybe). There is little public and private investment here.

At this point, I giving Kansas City until the summer to redeem itself. Otherwise I am going to hunt elsewhere.

So I have been and continue to be discouraged. I have been working hard to get a door to open. I know I have the capacity to contribute well if I can just get a meaningful opportunity. The combination of a semi-hostile work environment, an uglier than normal winter, a house that is still for sale, still looking for a church to call home, and having less free time due to school obligations has been hard on us. It feels like we are just floating, waiting for something good to happen, all while the current less-than-desirable situation continues to recycle itself each day.

If you think about us, say a prayer for the right door to open and for emotional and mental strength to endure a situation we are dissatisfied with.