Oh, gosh, I’ve been MIA lately and have been neglecting this poor blog. I haven’t forgotten about it, I’ve just been so engrossed with dissertation & job-related activities that I haven’t actually had anything interesting to talk about. Lest my parents think I’ve gone into hibernation/died from dissertation overload, quick update: I’m applying to jobs maniacally (read: I applied to three jobs this morning before 10A; one in San Diego, one in DC and one in San Francisco). Though I had been totally London-focused before, I have expanded my horizons a touch since I can’t bear the thought of being unemployed. I picked a few top cities based on job opportunities and location (in terms of things to do, compatibility with my personality and weather):
1. London: No surprise here! I love London and I want to enjoy living in the UK for as long as I can! I wish I could say that I’m considering other cities in Britain, but I’m not. If I can’t find a job in London, I’ll probably just head back to the US or gain some experience in a developing country.
2. Washington, D.C.: I think every single International Development organization has their HQ in DC. I had been opposed to it for the longest time, but it’s a young city with a cool, unique energy. Plus, job opportunities galore.
3. San Diego, CA: Oh, San Diego. In reality, SD wouldn’t be the best move for me career-wise. There aren’t many Int’l Development organizations nor are there many HIV/AIDS-related job openings. That aside, I could see myself living in San Diego which moves it up quite a bit! Plus, UCSD has a good PhD program & the fam will be there.
4. New York: I’ve never had the East Coast experience and I think NY would be the ultimate (maybe I’ve watched one too many episodes of Gossip Girl). Lots of NGOs plus the UN offices make for a nice international development community. Plus, I’m planning on applying to Columbia so it’d be nice to get a feel for the area.
5. San Francisco, CA: Living an hour and a half away from SF my whole life + having most of my family in the Bay Area, SF has always been kind of a home away from home. The fact that it’s one of the greatest cities ever doesn’t hurt either. Bonus: lots of HIV/AIDS-focused institutions plus an amazing academic environment.
6. LA/Santa Monica, CA: I’ll admit, LA hadn’t been on my list before this year. Since one of my BFFs is from Santa Monica (and has professed her undying love for the city), it’s piqued my interest. Awesome weather, cool vibe + nearby UCLA with another awesome PhD program. Potential!
7. Boston, MA: Again, a little piece of me wants to go to the East Coast and I’ve always had an inexplicable obsession with Boston. With Massachusetts in general, actually. I think this obsession has been compounded since I’ve developed a love of Harvard’s Public Health Program & Ally McBeal.
So, in case you run across jobs in any of these cities and think of me, I’m still looking! At first I just wanted a job; money to pay bills and pay back my loans. Now, though, I’ve decided that I want a relevant job. I need experience in the field I’m interested in and I don’t want to get stuck in a position just for the money. Anything focused on international development will work, but anything focused on HIV/AIDS research will work even better :)
xoxo from London,
