After much thought and consideration, Josh and I have decided to expand my job search outside of the southwest. I have been looking exclusively in Arizona and a little in California and have been frustrated with my options. It figures that Arizona, one of the lowest performing states in the country would have little opportunities in the area of education policy, evaluation, analysis and reform!
I will continue to search and spend hours on google looking for opportunities in this region but will also start seeking opportunities in Nashville and elsewhere. I am really just looking at the positions available, trying to find the best career move and wherever that takes us we will go. We have been looking forward to leaving Nashville and being closer to family and friends, but it just makes more sense for us to spend a few more years away from home if it means better opportunities for our family. I need to use the connections Vanderbilt has to offer, after all it is a big reason I came out here. Josh has had a real tough adjustment living so far away from friends and family, but now that we have Riley and are officially our own family, he has become more open to making another move. I was always the one trying to convince him to move somewhere new, but this time he was very receptive to the idea. His top choices include Boston (for the baseball and basketball games) and California (up until yesterday when he read the article about the impending "superstorm").
Not knowing where we are going to be living come June 1 is very exciting, and I can't wait to see where we go next! I will keep you updated on the job search, and if you know of anyone, or anything in program management, policy analysis/development/evaluation in government, non-profits, think-tanks or the private sector let me know! My emphasis has been on education policy, but I also have interests in finance and workforce development.
On a side note, Josh has been practicing his stay-at-home dad skills. After all he is cheaper than daycare:)
