Although I had planned to spend the day on my job search, I met 'X' instead. He wanted to go to western Illinois to hear a concert, but I thought that was way too far to travel. Especially since I need to get up early tomorrow to meet him for our trip to hear the president speak at Lincoln National Cemetery. That's about 50 miles south of Chicago.
Today, we visited the Lincoln Park Conservatory and spent a little time at the Lincoln Park Zoo. We then drove north to Willmette to see the beautiful Baha'i House of Worship for the North American Continent. Then 'X' surprised me with dinner at a nice Greek restaurant near downtown.
I relax so much when I am with him that I often feel sleepy. I think it is the release of all my built up tension.
I am close to deciding to partially abandon or modify the specific search I have been on, at least if I stay in Chicago, for several reasons:
1. Although this was part of my job at my last employer, and I have had recent training in the field, nearly all advertised jobs here and in the Twin Cities require specific domain or vertical business knowledge in fields such as health care, insurance, financial services, etc. that I do not have. Ideally, I would not need this knowledge and, at least in theory, it is considered an advantage to not be a domain expert. Still, in this economy nearly all of these jobs expect significant domain knowledge in the types of industries I listed.
2. Soon after I transitioned and then started estrogen therapy, I noted to my therapist that some of my life interests had changed. During one visit, I told her that I was disturbed because I no longer found Information Technology (IT) as interesting or enjoyable as before. IT was one of 'his' interests, not mine. My career was no longer a comfortable fit. This does not mean I cannot perform my particular IT role well. It is just that I would rather be doing something else.
In a better economy, companies would put less emphasis on domain knowledge. They would be forced to by a smaller pool of available workers. In the Twin Cities, businesses that employ people with my skills are heavily represented by the health care and financial services industries (domains). In Chicago, it is a combination of health care, insurance, financial services, commodities trading, banking and e-commerce.
If I move to an area with a much higher demand for my IT skill set, such as Washington DC, there will probably be lower expectations for specific domain knowledge. I may well find a suitable job that will pay well and be sufficiently satisfying.
On the other hand, I am considering trying to move into an executive assistant type of position. In academia or a science intensive industry where the skills and experience I already have would be valued. I can take some very short-term training to get certified. I have found executive assistant jobs that pay at least as well as the IT role I am seeking. Most do not, but even if I make significantly less money than I am accustomed to I will have more than enough. I may very well be happier, too.
It used to be, and still is in many cases, that executive assistants needed nothing more than a high school education to be successful. More employers are looking for a least a bachelors degree and they highly value software and computer knowledge, which I have in abundance. As with posted jobs in my IT area, many executive assitant postings are looking for education and experience related to industry/academia. For exceptional executive assistants, there are opportunities for advancement and even further career changes.
I have strived much of my life to achieve quite a few things educationally and in career advancement. At this point, particularly since transitioning, I am no longer as concerned with climbing the corporate ladder. I am less willing to put in long hours because I want to have enough free time to further develop my talents in music, photography and graphics. I want a life and at least the opportunity to try find a life partner. These things require time.
In addition, I am concerned that if I stay in IT-related roles I may wind up going through a series of jobs because of intermittent lay-offs. My close Twin Cities friend, although now a very highly paid project manager, has been unemployed roughly half of the last 7 1/2 years. This scenario is not one I want to replicate in my own life. She was an executive assistant for a time when the IT job market was not good. This was before the current recession.
I am also tired of playing corporate politics, something I have never been good at anyway. As an executive assistant, I would know about the politics but it would be up to my boss(es) to play the game.
I've used the Bureau of Labor Statistics web site to investigate salaries and projected demand for executive assistants. Even if I make less, initially, as an executive assistant I would have free time to hold down a job as a staff organist. Music, more than anything else, is my core passion. I would not consider this work but I could bring in another $12 - $15K a year for such a part-time job.
There are several friends here on the Archive who have told me I should sell some of my photographs in different ways. These people are in a position to know the quality of my work. So photography is another potential income source, even if it provides only enough to support my photography 'habit.'
As an executive assistant, I would have time left over to start a side business in some other area. When I ran my own business for two years in upstate New York, it started out as 'Art & Science Consulting.'
Nothing in life is absolutely secure, not by a long shot. I am beginning to think, though, that I would have more security or at least be more in demand as a very capable executive assistant. I would also get the benefits that often do not come with contract IT work that many information workers are forced to take. Particularly in difficult times.
The cities I have been looking at all have a much higher demand than Chicago for both my IT role and executive assistants. If I am offered a job here in the Chicago area in the next few weeks I will be very happy. Otherwise, I have decided I must move and soon. There is no other realistic option. I am not happy about this. I love this city, its cultural offerings, it bold and interesting architecture, the extensive public spaces, its stunning setting on Lake Michigan and the much greater ethnic diversity than found in the Twin Cities. The results I have been getting with electrolysis are more than I hoped for. If I move, I will soon be thriving in my new location. Just another adventure on my path through life.
Working hard on my job search while checking out other locations at the same time is stressful. Not getting enough sleep makes it much worse and prevents me from doing my best. It also leaves me in a bad mood.
