1. Merging
Career
and Place
Why Where You Live
Matters as Much as
What You Do
A s a newly hired analyst for a
business consulting rm, Jamie
Tesadori appeared to be living
the dream. Fortunate to land
a job offer amid the tough economy, Jamie’s
six-month stint with her new rm has been
nothing but spectacular. She has quickly
acclimated to her new role and picked up as-
signments frequently reserved for employees
with at least a year’s seniority. Jamie attributes
much of her current on-the-job success to her
boss, who offers an abundance of mentoring
and support. Overall, Jamie feels like her job
is a perfect match for her interests, skills and
competencies — a workplace that she would
like to call home for the long haul.
However, there is one potential drawback
in her quest for long-term employment with
the company: namely, the area where her job
is located. Residing in a suburban apartment
quite a distance from her job, Jamie is less
than excited about commuting 25 minutes
each way, every day. Her combined transporta-
tion and housing costs represent 65% of her
budget, straining her personal nances. Her
family is 2,000 miles away, and the surround-
ing area offers few activities for young singles
and outdoor enthusiasts, two components
topping her lifestyle list. While Jamie’s profes-
sional life is trending upward, her personal life
is headed south.
By Michael P. Scott, Iowa ‘98-Honorary Jamie’s dilemma is becoming more com-
monplace; it speaks to the growing impor-
tance of the need to align career with geo-
akpsi.org SUMMER 2010 11

2. The prospect of lower settle into an area with hot employ-
ment prospects, review your designat-
ed choices to see if they match your
salaries for the foresee- lifestyle as well.
Here’s an example. Austin has
able future means ca- earned a favorable reputation for its
robust economy, sense of community,
reer and geographical reasonable cost of living, and vibrant
live-music scene. For many residents,
these characteristics are among the
options must be thought many reasons they call the Texas
capital home. It is also true that an in-
through more carefully. dividual seeking proximity to skiing or
professional sports might want to look
elsewhere since Austin holds no repute
in these areas.
Review the pros and cons of any
city you are considering against both
graphical preference. Unfortunately Weighing the pros and cons of job career and lifestyle needs. Let’s look at
this idea ies in the face of traditional offers becomes critical for deter- Boise. This area has an emerging high-
views, which dictate that one’s career mining which geographical choice tech economy, strong university pres-
takes precedence over other aspects will allow the most efcient use of ence, and low cost of living. It also has
that bring meaning and fulllment personal spending resources. In other a surprisingly vibrant nightlife that the
to our lives. Consequently many of words the salary you are being offered millennial generation nds appealing.
us nd ourselves in jobs that provide should be balanced with cost of living On the other hand, it lacks the social
a reasonable income, but leave us variables for the geographical area and cultural sophistication typically
unlled across the broader tapestry you are considering. found in larger metropolitan areas such
of life. A number of recent studies con- as Houston, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
Unlocking the puzzle of career and ducted by the Urban Land Institute’s Boston is popular with many East
lifestyle involves broadening your vista Terwilliger Center for Workforce Coast business professionals, as it of-
of possibilities. Despite the gloom Housing suggest that a typical house- fers a wealth of opportunities in areas
and doom reports about the economy, hold spends upwards of 60% on such as insurance, banking and con-
there are many hopeful signs indicating housing and transportation costs. This sulting. And the city is a prime choice
the storm clouds are lifting. Accord- underscores the importance of loca- for medical and higher education insti-
ing to the National Association of tion in managing personal nances. tutions. The drawback for this town:
Colleges and Employers (NACE) this Factors such as public transit options the weather. Winter can be harsh and
is particularly good news for newly and walkability allow for a more cost- gloomy—far from ideal for someone
minted graduates entering the job effective means of accessing work and desiring a more temperate climate.
market. According to a recent NACE leisure options. And contrary to the Urban researcher Joel Kotkin notes
study, employers are planning to hire prevailing wisdom of home ownership that growing numbers of Ameri-
5.3% more college graduates from the as the optimum living arrangement, cans are nding their ideal setting in
class of 2009-10 than they did from renting may present a more pragmatic smaller “edge” communities. In fact a
the class of 2008-09. option than a burdensome mortgage recent “Best Places for Jobs” survey
This same study offered a less than and geographic inexibility. developed for New Geography by the
optimistic outlook for wages. Salary Leisure interests, climate, family Pepperdine School of Public Policy
offers to 2010 graduates were trend- goals, community and social needs found that the top employment centers
ing down 1.7% to $47,673, versus should be elements for consideration are now in small communities like
$48,515 last year. For business man- as you determine your ideal locale. Jacksonville, N.C., Bismarck, N.D., and
agement grads, starting pay was down Look also at the economic viability Morgantown, W.V.
8% to 42,094, and students with of an area. Does it offer good paying Jobs aside, there are numerous
marketing degrees saw their salaries jobs in your desired career market? other reasons for choosing a locale
dip 2.1% to $42,710. Cities such as Austin, Houston, and amenable to career and lifestyle needs.
The prospect of lower salaries Baton Rouge currently possess a Perhaps you want to return to your
for the foreseeable future means robust set of job opportunities amid hometown for close proximity to fam-
career and geographical options must this economic downtown. While it ily and friends. Or if you prefer less
be thought through more carefully. may seem appealing at rst glance to interaction with meddlesome relatives,
12 SUMMER 2010 akpsi.org

3. choosing an international work/life preferences. One of my favorites is time position with the company.
destination might be appealing. And relocation.com, which has an online Consider renting versus buying. When
for individuals accompanying a spouse calculator for making cost-of-living you settle on a career opportunity in a
or signicant other’s career move, comparisons in targeted locales. You’ll particular city, consider renting versus
using a collaborative decision-making also want to explore a site called buying a house. In today’s uncertain
exercise may help determine the best walkscore.com, which ranks cities and economy, having the exibility to
setting for mutual interests. communities for their walkable access make job changes is paramount and
While meshing career with place is to various lifestyle amenities. being free of the mortgage burden
never quick or easy, here are ve key Connect with local contacts. Find out can be liberating.
strategies to keep in mind as you sort who the movers and shakers are in
through your options: your areas of interest and make con- The key to making the best work/
Be honest with yourself. Consult people tact with them. The online business life decision possible involves be-
who are good at sharing sage advice networking site LinkedIn is an excel- ing mindful of your personal needs
and can tell you what you need to hear lent tool for this. And remember to while simultaneously seeking clarity
versus want to hear. There are plenty access the wealth of contacts available on your professional aspirations. Your
of professionals that have lived and via your cadre of brothers at Alpha happiness will likely be predicated on
worked in cities you may be consider- Kappa Psi. undergoing a whole-life perspective,
ing. Listen to what they have to say Do a beta test. Check out a potential which can lead you to a more balanced
and then be completely honest with geographical locale by exploring intern- approach to your work/life desires. <<
yourself about what you heard. If you ship opportunities in that area. If you
hate big, sprawling cities and humid are lucky enough to land one, you’ll MICHAEL P. SCOTT is an
weather, you many need to reconsider have the opportunity to survey the urban journalist and
accepting that $50,000 job in Houston. area rsthand as part of your decision- researcher who is relocat-
ing to Denver. Check out
Take advantage of online tools.The making process. And if all checks out his online blog at http://
Internet has a wealth of information successfully, you can use the internship urbanengagement.word-
to assist you in assessing geographical experience as an entry point to a full- press.com
2011 CONVENTION SILENT AUCTION ITEMS NEEDED
It’s time again to start collecting items for the Silent Auction at the 2011 AKPsi Convention. Money raised from the Silent Auction
goes to support the educational programming of the Alpha Kappa Psi Foundation. We’re looking for contributions, either from
members of the fraternity or from the companies for whom they work. We’re hoping to have “big ticket” items (high dollar value)
or bundles of smaller items that can become “big ticket” items. The kinds of things we’re looking for include:
!"Hotel or resort stays !"Theater passes (stage and screen)
!"Travel certi cates !"Theme park certi cates
!"Restaurant gift certi cates !"Golf course cert cates
!"Retail donations !"Art or history museum cert cates
!"Physical items !"Fraternity memorabilia
!"Tickets to sporting events !"Other quality goods and services
If you might be able to acquire a donation, make a donation, or if
you have ideas or suggestions for quality items, please contact the
Silent Auction co-chairs Heather Allen or Chrissy Vasquez at silen-
tauction@akpsi.org. Heather or Chrissy will walk you through the
solicitation process and/or make a request on your behalf.
akpsi.org SUMMER 2010 13