Wednesday, August 13, 2008
The importance of place, part I
 

By the time I was finishing up my BFA several years ago, I had already made the decision to pursue a career in magazines. I had been living in Vancouver for six years and had established roots there, but I didn't even think twice about moving across the country to Toronto. In my mind, it's where I had to be to get to where I wanted. Of course, the fact that I love the city, it's where I grew up, I have family and friends here, and my now-husband was willing to come along made the move a whole lot easier.

For some, it's a harder decision to make. Should you move to gain access to better job opportunities? Obviously I can't tell you what to do; it's something you have to figure out on your own. But here are a few things to consider:

• What's most important to you? What gives you the most satisfaction? Is it your career that fulfills you? Your surroundings that make you happy? Being close to your family? This should be your primary determining factor.
• What are you willing to sacrifice for your career? Are you up to making a new network of friends in a city where you know no one?
• Does your prospective new residence actually present the opportunities you think it does? Thoroughly research the market. Visit. Check out job boards. Set up information interviews with prospective employers.
• Does your current locale really have a dearth of opportunities? There may be fewer jobs, but there's also likely to be fewer qualified candidates.
In addition, I'd recommend taking a look at Richard Florida's Who's Your City? The whole book is about deciding where to live, particularly in relation to your career. The accompanying website has a place finder quiz, which may help in making a decision.
- Corinna vanGerwen
About Me
Corinna vanGerwen

 

Corinna vanGerwen is a freelance editor and writer. She has worked as senior editor at Style at Home, senior design editor at Cottage Life and is the former Canadian Director of Ed2010. She has also held the position of operations manager at a boutique PR agency, where she handled strategic planning and daily operations.

 
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Corinna says:
Thank you, Alicia!...
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