And busy I've been: Ellen and I have stayed in the US, and quite happily too, except for the recent uncertainty in the job market. I took a position I quite enjoyed selling computers (care to guess the brand? Think green!), and couldn't pass up the opportunity to join an environmental compliance firm when offered the position. Ellen taught, first as a substitute, then a long-term substitute in various districts around the Central Coast of California, then as a "temporary" (year-long, but without tenure) in one particular district, for two years.
Then along came the economic downturn. As a temporary teacher, Ellen had been assured only that she would get a pink slip each year, and very likely have the chance to get re-hired for the next school year. But the economic downturn of the country overall, coupled most specifically with the California budget crisis, made the second part of this expectation way weaker. And while I was quite happy to have my position in water quality at the environmental compliance firm at which I worked, I knew I couldn't possibly support both of us.
So we looked at how to change, and when to make that leap. I had lived in Portland, Oregon years before, and while I loved the lush Pacific Northwest and had several friends there, I had just assumed sunny California surfer girl Ellen wouldn't ever want to live in the rain. Imagine my surprise when she suggested it.
We researched. We scouted. We found an apartment. We made a move. We did so with as much assurance as we could in this economic climate, of jobs waiting for us, at the other end. That manifested itself for me, by applying for a position with a different division of my current employer, and keeping my eyes peeled for all and any other positions available. That manifested itself for Ellen, by achieving reciprocity for her California teaching credential in Oregon, and like me, keeping her eyes peeled for any and all opportunities.
Well, we're about a month in, back in Portland. We've had great fun re-connecting with friends and making new ones. We've enjoyed the local sports scene (the Portland Timbers, due to ascend to Major League Soccer in 2011, are really fun to watch, while chanting along with the Timbers Army). We've gotten back into the beer scene (the Oregon BrewFest last weekend was such a great opportunity to try so many styles from so many breweries in so many places, that your head spins long before the alcohol hits you). We've even embraced sustainable sushi, with a new favorite restaurant.
And we've been all over town, applying for, bringing résumés and cover letters to, all sorts of jobs. From green to retail to educational to… with my homebrewing experience, I'd even like to investigate apprentice brewmastery! We've searched it all out, and I have to admit that it seems as if businesses and schools and compliance agencies are all tightening their belts and waiting for the other economic shoe to drop. They're interested in meeting the demands of the new economy… once it ramps up. Until then, I don't see anyone in particular ready to take the next step. I'd love to be proven wrong on that, I just have yet to see it.
But I have seen some glimmers of hope, some chances for networking. One coming up soon is Green Drinks. I plan on being there, though I have to admit I'm stumped as to the etiquette: more classical corporate, more green, more Portland? Maybe I should show up with a three-piece all-hemp suit, just to cover my bases.
So we'll see. The search continues, and it goes on daily. But I can definitely tell you one thing: If the heat wave here over the past couple of days (and apparently through the rest of the week) is any indication, we already have plenty of incentive to try to combat global warming. Be it through the folks we educate, the green computers we sell, or the environmental compliance we assure, we've all got to do something. Even those of us… looking to do something!
