One More Time

The last time I graduated from college, I applied for a position with Teach for America. Kenz and I were very excited about it, and thought that it was the perfect fit for our situation. We both felt really good about it, and the whole process went so well that we were sure it was meant to be - they even had me skip the phone interview and had me go right on to the final interview based on my resume and application materials.

Well, they destroyed our hopes and plans with one single notification. I was not accepted.

So we moved on. We could not have asked or planned for things to go any better. Although it was hard, so many opportunities were opened to us. We will both be graduating with our master's degrees in April, and are expecting our baby girl. Could it get any better?

Well, we could have jobs.

So, as we were thinking about different options with the federal government, the Partnership for Public Service, and private corporations, guess what came up again...

My rationale for applying for a position that does not pay very well and that has rejected me in the past? Am I a glutton for punishment? Maybe. But I believe in what they do. Education transforms lives and presents opportunities. Too many are deprived of these opportunities due to cultural, language, or socioeconomic barriers. I can help change that.

Also, as I consider PhD programs and prepare for them - or consider future employment, Teach for America has some great contacts with universities and private corporations. It is also only a two-year commitment, which means that it will be easier to give up the salary for a stipend.

So, I applied again. This time I was subjected to a phone interview, which made me extra nervous because last time I bypassed that step. And today I heard back from them.

I've made it one step closer. We'll see how the final interview goes on February 8. This time it will not be the entire focus of my job search. This time I'm more prepared for the process. This time, I may make it.