As you guys may or may not have read, I'm graduating with a Masters degree in Counseling Studies from Capella University in Dec. 2009...I'm about to become a single mother (in the process of a divorce, ugh)....however, I am thinking about moving from Memphis to Nashville by March or April 2010 (I've lived in Nashville for 2.5 yrs and I loved it!).  Reason I want to leave is, I want a fresh start and I want to leave my local area because it is very professionally unhealthy here (lack of jobs, lot of crime, below average education).  In my field, there is not many jobs here AT ALL.  My question is, do you think I should look around right around November/Dec. or wait?  I'm stacking up cash and getting ready to move on and I want to have my ducks in a row.  What do you guys think?

 Jobs or Areas I'm looking into:

Program Manager/Director, Job Readiness/Career Development, Therapist position, Adjunct Instruction, Higher Education....

Since the job market is a little unhealthy for everyone, Nashville has a greater database of job positions than Memphis.  I'm excited, but I'm nervous. 

Generally I always advise getting a job before moving.  Start the hunt right away as this could be a several month process, it will give you some time to save up and who knows, your new employer may even pay for your move.  My company has done that for a lot of people.

Sorry to hear about the divorce -- it doesn't sound like the guy was a very good decision maker if he didn't do what it took to keep someone like you!

Anyway, I'm with Cajun, in that I'd start looking around immediately.  This is not an easy market in which to find a job, even for those who are well qualified.  And December will be here before you know it.  If nothing else you can put together a list of potential employers and learn a bit about them.

A big question is, if you do find a job before you'd otherwise planned to move, would you go ahead and take it?

Also, are you sold on Nashville or would you consider other cities as well?

-=Steve=-

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B.S., Info Sys, Charter Oak State College
M.A., Educational Tech Leadership, George Washington University
Doctor of Health Education, A.T. Still University, in progress

Hi Janya,

Cajun and Steve have some great ideas, but I think the bigger issue you need to consider is your support system. If you are the only support for your family, as in not having anyone else there to help you, then it can be more demanding on you by leaving what you are already used to. Ideally a good job before you go anywhere is a good start; however there is a lot of competition. My suggestion would be to get a job first and then plan on where you will live. I think if you are going to move, you might as well consider any place you can comfortably work in and live nearby. You must also consider where your child(ren) would go to school and look at this as well.

The decision to move is huge, but your source of income has a lot to do with what dictates on how comfortably you live. Does your degree from Capella enable you to become a practitioner in the field? If so, have you thought about your licensure before you commit to moving anywhere?

Good luck and sorry to learn about the divorce,

 Brack

 

Thanks you guys for the strong advice and encouragement.  I'm in TN (have been a true Tennessean all my life).  Right now, I am a program supervisor in a statewide nonprofit agency and my support system is great here in Memphis, but in Nashville it's a little different.  I have a lot of friends there and several already have children. So there is some support, but I am spoiled with the support here in Memphis. 

But it's good to know how early is too early or when to start at the right time.  This economy is crazy and I have been wanting to look, but I keep thinking, well, I have until December?  Memphis or Nashville were the only two places I'm thinking of, because there's a chance I will be alone and I do have a dependent.  I thought about Atlanta, because of one of my best friends, who lives down there offered her place for me to live with her and her son for a while (she's a mom too and we were both preggos 2gether).  But I dunno, Atlanta is way too fast paced for me!

My program at Capella is not in the practitioner field.  I didn't want to be an LPC, in TN you can perform therapy (but not independently).  But I am aiming to work more in the nonprofit field setting or higher educational sector, since one of my goals is to actually own a nonprofit centered around job readiness/GED prep & testing, academic planning, etc.  (but for women). 

I don't know, juggling around different stuff....

Jay

JaynaB:

I thought about Atlanta, because of one of my best friends, who lives down there offered her place for me to live with her and her son for a while (she's a mom too and we were both preggos 2gether).  But I dunno, Atlanta is way too fast paced for me!

If her offer is for real, I wouldn't necessarily dismiss it out of hand.  Fast paced might mean a better job market. Just sayin'....

-=Steve=-

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B.S., Info Sys, Charter Oak State College
M.A., Educational Tech Leadership, George Washington University
Doctor of Health Education, A.T. Still University, in progress

My only concern is leaving your current job before having another in hand.  There are a lot of qualified, hard working people running around looking for jobs right now which means two things...one, you might not find a job for months and two, if you do find a job you may not realize your full market value.

Absolutely, I would not leave a job until I knew and was confirmed a position.  Right now, I am devoting time to completing my degree, so I do have a little time to think and plan.

Planning is always time well spent IMHO.

JaynaB:

Absolutely, I would not leave a job until I knew and was confirmed a position.  Right now, I am devoting time to completing my degree, so I do have a little time to think and plan.

Will you be able to go to Nashville for interviews if something does come up?

-=Steve=-

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B.S., Info Sys, Charter Oak State College
M.A., Educational Tech Leadership, George Washington University
Doctor of Health Education, A.T. Still University, in progress

Hey Steve,

Yes, Nashville is literally 2.5 (maybe 3 if Highway patrol has set up speedpoints along the I-40) hours from Memphis. And I have a slew of friends there that would allow me to crash at their place to interview.  So that's not a problem.  My job is pretty flexible, so if I need off, all I would have to do is let them know in advance.  I haven't taken off since I go this job (not one day).  So, they would probably be happy to give me time off.

Forgot to say that,

My agency just released a new opening in the job readiness program, for a job coach.  I did apply for it, so hopefully I'm considered.  If I do receive this job, I would actually stay here in Memphis.  So, I just pray that God opens a door and I can stay here with family.  But we shall see!

That would be cool.  Good luck!

Cool -- when do you find out about the Memphis job?

-=Steve=--

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B.S., Info Sys, Charter Oak State College
M.A., Educational Tech Leadership, George Washington University
Doctor of Health Education, A.T. Still University, in progress

I found out last week and I did apply for it.  Good thing is I have helped out on the Job Readiness programs here at the agency that I currently work for and everyone kept telling me how they really need me on the team.  The supervisor that is hiring heard about my assistance over there and she was really impressed. She was also impressed that I have some experience with creating career self-assessments. It's kind of crazy to know that I am willing to step down from my position to follow my dream.  We are both supervisors, but I talked to her today and she was so excited!  I really hope that this would be good for me. 

 The problem I may have is that her boss is a huge "icky"-acting woman.  I don't know if she really fancies me, but I haven't talked to her much.  The most I get out of her is speaking sometimes, but she always seem to have an attitude.  Maybe it's just her personality.

 Nevertheless, I am going to pray very hard that all will go pretty well for me and that if it's meant for me to have it, it will happen.  It will be full-time with perks (I work part time now).  One con is that I will have to give up my office, but it's okay.

 They are setting up interviews this week, but I kind of already had a "pre-interview" with the supervisor so we shall see what unfolds.  If all goes well with this position, I will stay in Memphis for a while longer.