The Power of Social Media, College Networks, and Support Systems
I have made a discovery!
In my panic of the past few days as I struggle to figure out how to move a family from Kansas to Massachusetts in less than a month without having to give up my dog babies, I have tried to expand my search for both housing and work. I announced the move on Facebook. I've updated my LinkedIn profile. I joined an alumnae group for Smith College on LinkedIn. And I've written posts here.
An amazing thing has started to happen. No, I haven't found a place to live or a house yet, but suddenly I feel less alone. First came the wonderful and supportive comments on my posts here. Then came e-mails from the alumnae group--one from the CDO at Smith offering to help me find work, and one from a Smithie who lives in the Worcester area, offering to just help me in any way she can. Then came comments from friends on Facebook offering to hook me up with job possibilities and ask around for housing.
I now have plans for coffee dates and lunch dates (and possibly a tree viewing trip to Maine in the fall). I have a tentative meeting (either on phone or in person) to help find work. I have a job possibility, and two rental possibilities that are a little out of our price range but are better than nothing. I feel like I am building a valuable support community that will make this transition smoother and more successful.
I don't know if I have any blogging buddies in Massachusetts, but I'd love to hear from you if I do. Or anywhere in the North East for that matter, as this network is an important one too.
I always forget the power of networking and the power of admitting that you need help. I tend to think I have to figure it all out on my own, but the world doesn't really function that way.
In my panic of the past few days as I struggle to figure out how to move a family from Kansas to Massachusetts in less than a month without having to give up my dog babies, I have tried to expand my search for both housing and work. I announced the move on Facebook. I've updated my LinkedIn profile. I joined an alumnae group for Smith College on LinkedIn. And I've written posts here.
An amazing thing has started to happen. No, I haven't found a place to live or a house yet, but suddenly I feel less alone. First came the wonderful and supportive comments on my posts here. Then came e-mails from the alumnae group--one from the CDO at Smith offering to help me find work, and one from a Smithie who lives in the Worcester area, offering to just help me in any way she can. Then came comments from friends on Facebook offering to hook me up with job possibilities and ask around for housing.
I now have plans for coffee dates and lunch dates (and possibly a tree viewing trip to Maine in the fall). I have a tentative meeting (either on phone or in person) to help find work. I have a job possibility, and two rental possibilities that are a little out of our price range but are better than nothing. I feel like I am building a valuable support community that will make this transition smoother and more successful.
I don't know if I have any blogging buddies in Massachusetts, but I'd love to hear from you if I do. Or anywhere in the North East for that matter, as this network is an important one too.
I always forget the power of networking and the power of admitting that you need help. I tend to think I have to figure it all out on my own, but the world doesn't really function that way.
"It's all about people. It's about networking and being nice to people and not burning any bridges. " Mike Davidson
"The way of the world is meeting people through other people." Robert Kerrigan
Really, I shouldn't be so surprised by this, as I have often written about the connections that make this world such an intricate and interesting web of life.
So, I'd like to say thank you to the miracle of networking, the power of social media, the connections from all of my educational programming, and the wonderful support that people have offered me.
Now if I could only find a place to live that will let me keep my dogs.
