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What do I want to do when I grow up?

December 24, 2019April 11, 2016 by Michael Hanscom
This entry was published at least two years ago (originally posted on April 11, 2016). Since that time the information may have become outdated or my beliefs may have changed (in general, assume a more open and liberal current viewpoint). A fuller disclaimer is available.

So on my earlier post grumbling about needing to find a new job, I was asked what I would like to do. Here’s my answer (with a few edits/clarifications), on the off chance someone out there knows of likely possibilities (and my LinkedIn profile is current as well)…

I’m kind of trying to figure that out. :) I know what I don’t want to do — I’ve been a secretary for years, and while the job itself isn’t bad, there’s limited mobility, and I’m tired of basically just feeling like I shuffle paperwork without actually doing something worthwhile. The best parts are when I’m working with helping students with something, but that’s a pretty minor part of the job.

At this point, the “real” (paid) experience on my resume is all secretarial and making copies, neither of which are high on my wish list right now.

Ideally, I’d love to make a good living doing what I do for Norwescon. ;) But photography/web management/social media marketing (individually or together) are all very competitive and tough to get into.

I did just complete a Master’s degree in ITAM (Information Technology and Administrative Management), basically a managerial program with an IT focus. So I’m likely qualified (between my degree and experience) for a managerial position in the tech world…but most such positions I’ve seen so far either require more years of existing experience than I have (even doing my best to emphasize the volunteer work with Norwescon managing the photo, web, and social media departments) or ask for more actual programming/database management experience than I have.

I also have a BA in Law and Justice, so if I could find away to combine my BA and MS degrees in some way…. A “pie in the sky” possibility would be something like getting on board with the Seattle Police Department’s (or some other law enforcement agency) social media team or IT department in some way (basically, something in the general law enforcement arena without actually going the Police Academy route to be an officer).

And Prairie and I want to get back over to the west side of the state, so I’m looking along the I-5 corridor roughly between Bellingham and Portland (my pull is closer to Seattle, since that’s where most of my friends are; Prairie’s pull is further south, since she has family in Portland, Vancouver, and Olympia). Olympia would be an ideal location (close to her family, easy to get to Portland or Seattle), so I’m keeping an eye on the WA state jobs site as well.

So…lots of factors there. I’m looking, and trying to figure out how to sell myself with the combination of degree and volunteer experience to get into a career very different from where my actual paid job experience sits. Not easy to do. Everyone who knows me swears up and down that I’d do great in all sorts of positions, but my resumé doesn’t seem to be convincing hiring committees of that so far.

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My views, beliefs, and thoughts have changed over time, and there are many things in my archives that I would not write the same way today, if at all. In general, I have moved steadily to the political left; my current beliefs put me in the category of "progressive left" as defined by the Pew research group. Posts over two years old will have a disclaimer automatically added at the top of the page. For more background, read my "Change is Good" post.

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