I have been preparing many job applications over the past week. It's that time of year when the world falls in love...er, excuse me (it's an occupational hazard of being a former singer...there's always a song in one's head). Anyway, it's that time of year when most academic positions at American universities are announced. This seems to be an okay year, opportunity-wise, so I'm busy as a bee writing cover letters, putting together demo CDs and DVDs, ordering transcripts, requesting letters of recommendation, and spending hard-earned dollars on the printing, binding and mailing of application packets. With any luck, I will get some interviews.
I am ready to begin working earnestly in my field again, and having permanent residency now means I could ostensibly split my time between the two hemispheres. It wouldn't be an even split, but as there's nothing substantial at all in Australia for me job-wise (unless I change careers completely...a daunting prospect for someone who can see the light of 45 on the horizon), I have no alternative than to run for the gold in them thar' hills. Four months in Australia with professional fulfillment and a decent income is better than twelve months here sitting in this townhouse, eking out a living by working part-time over the Internet in a field completely unrelated to my education and training.
During this process of job hunting, I have naturally begun to daydream about where I might end up teaching and living. Currently, there are jobs open in areas of the US that I wouldn't mind checking out, eg, Chicago, Minneapolis, Pacific NW, and Southern California. There are also openings in central Missouri, Alabama, and North Carolina.
I grew up in Arkansas, so it's not like I have never lived in less-populated areas. I do worry, however, about the culture shock of moving from Sydney to the middle of the US and living in a town of about 30K people, miles and miles from any larger city. I try to take comfort in knowing that there's probably a regional airport within reach of most any city where there's a college or university.
I wonder if the fulfillment I would (hopefully) get from my work would be enough to quell the distress of being removed from my family and friends, and from the way of life to which I have grown accustomed over the past few years. It would no doubt be tremendously challenging, but after putting in so much work for the doctorate and the credentials it affords, it seems silly not to go for the jobs and at least give it a try.
So, I wonder what it will be...
Midwest Sandy
California Sandy
Country Sandy
Urban Sandy
[too scary to post]
Southern Sandy
Or shall I remain...

Sydney Sandy?
Time will tell...