I Graduated...Now What?

I have been posed this question many times. In fact, as I stood in line before the graduation ceremony, a fellow classmate asked a group of us if we had any plans after graduation. I replied, "I'm throwing a party." They all laughed because he meant in life, not for just that afternoon. Still, I reiterated my plan: "I'm throwing a party." It took me 10 years to get to that point, so I was interested in enjoying the moment.

First on my list post-degree is to find a new job. I don't necessarily want something to do with my degree because my work history and experience is related to customer service, not English. Honestly, now that I am free to work full time, I'm keen on finding a job avec benefits. I about fainted when I realized recently that companies sometimes pay their employees' insurance premiums. (Wha-?) All this time I thought Dan had payments taken out of his paychecks, but nope! THEY PAY! So I'd like to find myself a situation like that, preferably with a shorter commute than the one I make now.

Second on my list is to continue to do the things that I like to do: writing, reading, finding new music, blogging, playing with my dog and cat, loving every moment with hubby. I like enjoying these thing without the dreaded thought at the back of my mind that I have homework to do. I also feel like blogging for fmsNest and working on my screenplay are creative outlets with potential for financial support if I really apply myself.

Third on my list is to research graduate school programs. As much as I enjoy the before-said freedom of consciousness, I also miss learning! I do not feel like I am done. I also never could have anticipated the way that I would feel after graduating--how confident and excited I feel about the future. As I bask in my glowing pride, I am constantly going back to the sources of my passion for education...Those teachers I thanked in a previous post. Primarily, I think about the women that inspired me with their beautiful and gracious yet precarious balance of teaching, scholarly study, family, and personal growth.

I decided to look into graduate programs in Art History or Theology, academic areas I am most passionate about and would honestly love to teach. As of today, I have no Art History options in the Portland area, so I'm researching a Theology degree at George Fox. Now, I've heard they are quite conservative, and I'm not sure I am the perfect fit for an Evangelical Seminary, but I'm up for finding out more. Next week I'll be sitting in on a class and meeting the faculty to feel out whether or not I want to apply. If it's meant to be, it will be.