My First Job Fair

Today was my first job fair... what an experience!

When I first walked in, I thought 3 things:

1. Am I under dressed?  I was one of the first few within sight that wasn't wearing a full suit so that made me really nervous at first!
2. YIKES!  There were so many people and districts in attendance that I was honestly overwhelmed at first... I had no idea where to start.
3. I look WAY younger than the other people here!  I know that I am 23 but people always say I look young for my age so I was worried I wasn't going to be taken seriously!

After the initial shock of the location was over I set my things down at the WWU booth (and thank goodness!  I would have hated to have to carry around my purse AND all of the things I was getting from districts).  And the day began!

Nearly all of the districts weren't currently offering any openings because of the current budget uncertainties but most were very welcoming.  You could clearly see which ones were the higher paying or the more desirable ones (usually ones giving interviews on the spot) because the crowds were big and the wait time was in excess of an hour!  Some districts really didn't have anyone there talking to them because they were unknown and/or on the east side of the state.  But overall the people were very welcoming and happy to talk about their districts, though they wanted you to sell yourself as a teacher to them more!  I was somewhat intimidated and put out of my comfort zone because you really have to be "in their faces" with who you are and why you are special, talking about strengths and experiences that you will bring to the table.  I don't like bragging about myself or being that forward with people, but it was what had to be done.  

After roaming with a friend for a while and seeing some fellow interns at the fair, I set off to chat with some districts on my own.  I do have an advantage because I am willing to move pretty much anywhere.  I am not really tied down to the area and honestly, a change of pace might be a nice change for me since I have lived in Western Washington all of my life.  So I talked to several districts in Eastern Washington that, like most others, weren't hiring yet.  Then I went and chatted with some very nice representatives from Texas, which sounded a bit far for me, but I talked anyway.  They were fantastic and had 3000 job openings this year in their areas... each.  Between 2 booths there were more than 6000 jobs to be had, but few people there because they didn't want to move to another state.  That's the funny thing about a lot of people, they say they want to move but really they only want to move within a 30 mile radius... if that.  

So now I am seriously considering a job in Texas.  As somewhat scary as that sounds, it would be an adventure... and that's what I feel like I need.  The nice guy from the Dallas (North Central Texas area) said that if I "had access" to plane tickets that I should come down to the Texas job fair, May 4th, because I would leave with a job.  So now I have my choices to consider.  Wait until late June, July, August or even after school starts to find a job locally.  OR go down to Texas and find a job probably quicker, and likely in the grade that I want.  Goodness!  The choices ahead of me!  It will be a hard decision and one that will occupy a lot of my free and Internet time.  But it will be worth the hard work to have that job next year.  Though the future is yet unwritten and I don't like the uncertainty that is coming with that territory it will likely be an adventure that I will remember forever!