As you may have read from my last post, I have been nominated for a position with the Peace Corps and am now waiting for my official offer and the details of my assignment. All I know at this point is that I will doing NGO (Non-governmental Organization) Development in Eastern Europe and should leave sometime in September. Any more specifics, as in exact assignment, country or town of posting, etc. are unknown.
I had to go through rigorous medical evaluations to make sure I am in tip-top shape to live in a developing country for 2 years. I think I had around 10 appointments with various kinds of doctors and specialists over the past few weeks, I submitted my medical paperwork last week and now it is a waiting game. I am told that because my posting is relatively soon (September is soon in Peace Corps terms), my paperwork should be given higher priority. Nevertheless, I am on "pins and needles" until I hear that I have received my medical clearance and will be given an official offer!
Right now I am trying to stay optimistic (I know this is what I am supposed to be doing; I just have to keep the faith that it will all work out) and open-minded (I don't get to choose the country anyway, so I don't want to form a preference). This next few weeks (hopefully it won't take longer) is going to be tough for two reasons: (1) I think I will continue to feel like my future is up in the air until I see something in writing and know the specifics of what I will be doing; (2)I can't help but recall the statistic that 15% of people who have made it as far as me are not given medical clearance. Nevertheless, this is a time for waiting patiently with the faith that God will work things out exactly the way they are supposed to be. That is enough for me!
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
Peace Corps
A lot of you have probably been wondering what the heck I am up to! I have been back in Oklahoma since October with little progress to show on my career development, and my last post was more of a cry for help than a wealth of information. I won't deny it's been a tough road; I spent 6 months working every job angle with no success. I applied for dozens of jobs I was overqualified for without a bite. I enlisted the help of friends and family from all over the world to gather advice and harvest contacts that may lead me to what I thought I wanted to do. And to those who provided help, I thank you.
At the end of the day, however, I felt like I was trying to force a square peg into a round hole. It finally dawned on me a few months ago that half of the jobs I had applied for were not even something I'd be happy with. Most likely, they would be unchallenging and not fit my ideal job description well enough to keep me interested. As the country song tells, "some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers." I thank God for not handing me a job here in Oklahoma or others I pursued around the U.S. because he had much greater plans for me. I am ecstatic to tell you that I have been nominated for a position with the Peace Corps!
As I mentioned earlier, a couple of months ago it dawned on me that things weren't working out because I was pursuing the wrong things. I have always had this idea in the back of my mind that I would like to do volunteer work at some point, but I never knew how that would fit into my career path and was never completely convinced I could make the sacrifices it would take. But I believe the way to determining one's purpose in life has to do with how you answer the question: "If money (and reputation and status) were not an option, what would I do?" As I wrote on my Peace Corps application, if I could do anything with my life, I would travel around the world and help others.
That Sunday afternoon when I sat on my bed feeling sorry for myself and contemplating what a huge failure I had become, it occurred to me that I was "failing" because I was not pursuing what I was supposed to be pursuing. If I had always dreamed of doing volunteer work, why not now? My situation (not being committed to a job or spouse or many material positions) is perfect for taking the leap, and I cannot bank on being able to do it in the future.
It took a couple of months to complete the lengthy application process, and at the end of probably-the-most-pleasant-interview-I've-ever-witnessed, I was told I would be perfect for Peace Corps! I have been nominated for a position in Eastern Europe doing NGO (Non-governmental organization) Development. I won't know any more details about my assignment until the paperwork is processed and I am medically cleared, but the plan is that I should be leaving in September for 27 months in Eastern Europe.
I am so excited about this opportunity, and I can only describe it as God putting me exactly where he wants me to be. Peace Corps (http://www.peacecorps.gov/) is a great organization (U.S. government agency) and will allow me to volunteer a developing country, teach me the language and cultural skills I need, and will be an excellent jumping-off point for any number of careers in the international field. It gives volunteers a modest stipend to live on and takes special care to ensure the safety and health of its volunteers. Since I have such a passion for traveling and living abroad, this is both a safe and promising opportunity.
In the meantime, I am working part-time at a property management company here in Oklahoma and preparing physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually for my journey. I have the whole summer to spend time with family and friends, get organized and prepare for a new life!
At the end of the day, however, I felt like I was trying to force a square peg into a round hole. It finally dawned on me a few months ago that half of the jobs I had applied for were not even something I'd be happy with. Most likely, they would be unchallenging and not fit my ideal job description well enough to keep me interested. As the country song tells, "some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers." I thank God for not handing me a job here in Oklahoma or others I pursued around the U.S. because he had much greater plans for me. I am ecstatic to tell you that I have been nominated for a position with the Peace Corps!
As I mentioned earlier, a couple of months ago it dawned on me that things weren't working out because I was pursuing the wrong things. I have always had this idea in the back of my mind that I would like to do volunteer work at some point, but I never knew how that would fit into my career path and was never completely convinced I could make the sacrifices it would take. But I believe the way to determining one's purpose in life has to do with how you answer the question: "If money (and reputation and status) were not an option, what would I do?" As I wrote on my Peace Corps application, if I could do anything with my life, I would travel around the world and help others.
That Sunday afternoon when I sat on my bed feeling sorry for myself and contemplating what a huge failure I had become, it occurred to me that I was "failing" because I was not pursuing what I was supposed to be pursuing. If I had always dreamed of doing volunteer work, why not now? My situation (not being committed to a job or spouse or many material positions) is perfect for taking the leap, and I cannot bank on being able to do it in the future.
It took a couple of months to complete the lengthy application process, and at the end of probably-the-most-pleasant-interview-I've-ever-witnessed, I was told I would be perfect for Peace Corps! I have been nominated for a position in Eastern Europe doing NGO (Non-governmental organization) Development. I won't know any more details about my assignment until the paperwork is processed and I am medically cleared, but the plan is that I should be leaving in September for 27 months in Eastern Europe.
I am so excited about this opportunity, and I can only describe it as God putting me exactly where he wants me to be. Peace Corps (http://www.peacecorps.gov/) is a great organization (U.S. government agency) and will allow me to volunteer a developing country, teach me the language and cultural skills I need, and will be an excellent jumping-off point for any number of careers in the international field. It gives volunteers a modest stipend to live on and takes special care to ensure the safety and health of its volunteers. Since I have such a passion for traveling and living abroad, this is both a safe and promising opportunity.
In the meantime, I am working part-time at a property management company here in Oklahoma and preparing physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually for my journey. I have the whole summer to spend time with family and friends, get organized and prepare for a new life!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Update and Request for Help
This is a long overdue update and, more immediately, a shameless solicitation for help. First, a quick update:
The past year and a half could best be summed up in the word: adventurous! Like any story it has its ups and downs, unexpected twists and turns, moments of sheer joy and those of complete desperation. The summer of 2006 found me at the brink of a wholesale life change. I had completed my Masters degree the August before and was coming close to my five-year anniversary with the Environmental Protection Agency. In my short-lived “adult life,” I had excelled at my job, bought a home, made a plethora of friends in a new city, and generally created a comfortable life for myself. But I was reminded all too quickly of my constant desire for challenge and adventure and soon resolved myself to making a complete life change to explore the person I wanted to be and the life I wanted to have.
In the fall of 2006, I took a 4-month sabbatical, spending two months backpacking around Europe by myself and two months with my family in Oklahoma. I have always been an avid traveler and my most recent adventure was no exception! I visited amazing places, met interesting people, and ultimately realized that my lifestyle and career must incorporate my passion for international travel and learning. I went back to Washington in January of 2007 only to quit my job and rent out my condo. I had decided to go to Italy for a “look-see” trip; that is, I gave myself three months to begin to learn the language, acclimate myself within the culture, and try to make a life there.
My time in Naples, Italy, was a challenging yet enlightening experience. I found I was able to secure sufficient work teaching English, pick up enough of the language to get around, and make a life for myself in an unknown place, but the culture shock was intense! To be honest, I did not like Naples or the way of life, but I was determined to give it my best try! Only after two 3-month stints there did I regrettably conclude that I was never going to be happy there, I was never going to reach my career goals there, and frankly, God did not want me to be there.
I returned to Oklahoma in October to live with my parents, giving myself some time to recuperate, to decide what I wanted to do next, and ultimately to find a job. After almost four months, I have learned a lot about what I want to do but am, embarrassingly, still unemployed.
This is where I would use your help! I am looking for employment opportunities with international companies, where I could gain valuable private sector experience and break into the international business field. Anything you know, any ideas you may have, any people you could put me in contact with could take me one step closer to achieving my career goals! So please, let me know what you know. If you know anyone who works at a great international company (in Tulsa or elsewhere) or has done what I am attempting, I’d love to talk to him or her. No piece of information is insignificant. In fact, from all of those job search handbooks I’ve read, I am told that this is the most certain way to get a job.
I apologize for my shameless self-promotion but thank you in advance, as my friend, for anything you can do to help!
The past year and a half could best be summed up in the word: adventurous! Like any story it has its ups and downs, unexpected twists and turns, moments of sheer joy and those of complete desperation. The summer of 2006 found me at the brink of a wholesale life change. I had completed my Masters degree the August before and was coming close to my five-year anniversary with the Environmental Protection Agency. In my short-lived “adult life,” I had excelled at my job, bought a home, made a plethora of friends in a new city, and generally created a comfortable life for myself. But I was reminded all too quickly of my constant desire for challenge and adventure and soon resolved myself to making a complete life change to explore the person I wanted to be and the life I wanted to have.
In the fall of 2006, I took a 4-month sabbatical, spending two months backpacking around Europe by myself and two months with my family in Oklahoma. I have always been an avid traveler and my most recent adventure was no exception! I visited amazing places, met interesting people, and ultimately realized that my lifestyle and career must incorporate my passion for international travel and learning. I went back to Washington in January of 2007 only to quit my job and rent out my condo. I had decided to go to Italy for a “look-see” trip; that is, I gave myself three months to begin to learn the language, acclimate myself within the culture, and try to make a life there.
My time in Naples, Italy, was a challenging yet enlightening experience. I found I was able to secure sufficient work teaching English, pick up enough of the language to get around, and make a life for myself in an unknown place, but the culture shock was intense! To be honest, I did not like Naples or the way of life, but I was determined to give it my best try! Only after two 3-month stints there did I regrettably conclude that I was never going to be happy there, I was never going to reach my career goals there, and frankly, God did not want me to be there.
I returned to Oklahoma in October to live with my parents, giving myself some time to recuperate, to decide what I wanted to do next, and ultimately to find a job. After almost four months, I have learned a lot about what I want to do but am, embarrassingly, still unemployed.
This is where I would use your help! I am looking for employment opportunities with international companies, where I could gain valuable private sector experience and break into the international business field. Anything you know, any ideas you may have, any people you could put me in contact with could take me one step closer to achieving my career goals! So please, let me know what you know. If you know anyone who works at a great international company (in Tulsa or elsewhere) or has done what I am attempting, I’d love to talk to him or her. No piece of information is insignificant. In fact, from all of those job search handbooks I’ve read, I am told that this is the most certain way to get a job.
I apologize for my shameless self-promotion but thank you in advance, as my friend, for anything you can do to help!
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