I am in fact still alive. Nothing really exciting has been going on this week. Mostly just trying to feel better after being sick last week. I went bowling with Dan on Tuesday. I beat him 100 to 76. Yes...pathetic i know...but hey...i'm a scientist...not a pro bowler. So i've been thinking about my future career goals. In fact this seemed to be the theme of the week. So working for the DEA has been something i want to do; however, i'm not really excited about the location of any of the labs. There are only two that i would consider. Dallas, TX and possibly Chicago, IL. The only time i ever visited Chicago, i wasn't overly impressed. I've been told though that I'm not giving Chicago a fair shake. I went in January, and it was windy, cold and miserable. But i haven't really been back, nor have I spent any kind of time there. So perhaps I'll give Chicago another chance. Anyway...this thinking has made me wonder if the DEA is really the place for me. Here is a list of lab choices for me:
Largo, MD
NYC, NY
Suburb of DC, VA
Miami, FL
Dallas, TX
Vista, CA
San Francisco, CA
If i try to work for the FBI, i'll be in Quanitco, VA. Honestly, I don't particularly want to live in DC. Of all the places listed above (minus the two i said i would consider) DC would be 3rd on the list. If i'm not mistaken though, the Army has a lab in Atlanta. Atlanta i could totally do.
The point of this blog, is to realize a little contradiction with what i want from my career vs. what kind of environment i want to live in. So now the important question becomes, which is more important. A job with the Federal government or living in a city I would like.
Any suggestions from people who may be (or have been) in similar situations?
posted by Audra @ 3:21 PM
6 Comments:
It all comes down to what is best for you career wise. Think about it, every city has the same stuff in it. There are no culturally unique stores or ideas of thought in any major city.
Weather factors in but thats about it.
I say go for DC. Its your future and its the hub of just about everything.
In the end you will succeed wherever you end up because you are Audra.
Audra never fails
Billy
I'm kind of in that situation. I didn't really choose Indy based on the job (I got relocated), but it's a "I don't like the city" versus "I like the job" dilemma. I hate the commute and the traffic and the fact that my friends can live in the same city and still require 30 miles of highway driving to visit them. Then again, I have enough friends around here to keep me distracted and the job's going well enough that I continue to tolerate the commute.
So what should you do? Well, I don't really know. I'd probably take this job again if I had the chance, but I might have picked a different place to live, now that I know my way around the city better. So, if you do take a job in a city you're not keen on, ask around for a good place to live. Could be there's a little section of town that makes you forget about the rest of the city.
DC is a shit hole. Stay away from this area. Quantico is NOT safe. Serious gang issues. A first-day cop I know (as in it was his first day on the job) had to pull his gun TWICE. TWICE in that area. Seriously.
San Fran is great.
But seriously, go where you like the people - because you know better than anyone that coworkers can ruin even a great location, great job, and great house. PS - you won't be able to afford a house (if that's in the future) in this area. I'm just saying.
-hayley, a DC'er.
Are you saying that the FBI's only lab is in Quantico, or that you'll have to go there for training? Nevermind, I just looked it up. I didn't realize how close it was to DC.
Hardy's right, pick the area you want to live. Every city listed has areas where you would not be safe. Usually this can be cured by moving 5-10 miles in any direction.
Also the ATF has labs in Atlanta and San Fran.
The city is just as important as the job, so it is something you need to seriously consider. Especially if you are moving there alone.
I would go for the city... I mean, if you think about it, the general tasks of the job (within the same department) are going to be the same from town to town.
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