Why Not?

Anyone who has ever graduated college will have heard praises of “Congrats grad! Way to go! You did it!” It’s all fun and filled with merriment until people start getting to the most daunting questions ever.

“So what’s next? Do you have a job? Where are you planning on staying? Oh no job? Have you applied to this? Have you looked here? I’m sure something will come along.”

Maybe you were one of the lucky ones. The lucky graduates who have had a job offer since March and only had to wait until they crossed the stage to be an official employed adult.  Or you were like me and had to be blunt with Great Aunt Dorthy that no you didn’t have a job and frankly you had no idea what the hell you were going to do after getting that shiny new diploma and were praying to every God in the universe that you would find some job before those nasty student loans kicked in.

Lucky for me, I graduated with my teaching degree so I at least knew I was going to be a teacher. My goal was to get a job close to my family. Ideally, close enough I could live with a family member and save some money.

What ended up happening was the complete opposite of close to home. A few months before graduation, I attended my college’s job fair. My cooperating teacher told me to interview as much as I could for the experience and I did. This job fair was huge. Not only were there schools from all over Iowa, there were schools from all over the country. I was about to leave the job fair, after talking to a dozen or so schools, when I was stopped by a man asking me if I ever thought about teaching in Arizona. In my mind, I had no desire to move across the county especially to Arizona, but I wanted interview practice so I agree to interview for a job in Parker, Arizona.

I left the job fair feeling hopeful and more confident about the job hunt. When friends and family asked about the job fair I always joked that I interviewed with a school in Arizona but always reassured them it was for interview practice. I actually heard back from Arizona before graduation via email about a third or fourth grade job but it was easy to ignore because I hadn’t even graduated yet. I was thinking there was no way I was going to take a job out there and settle right away.

Graduation came and went and towards the end of May I was getting anxious. I was tired of getting asked questions about the job search. Even though I still had plenty of time before the school year started I was feeling restless from applying to various jobs, interviewing, and hearing nothing. One day I got a random call from Arizona. I thought it was funny because I had told the principal I was not interested in moving out there but this time it was from the primary school principal. She was such a nice lady on the phone and I wanted more interview practice so I agreed to another interview over the phone. After the interview for a kindergarten job, a grade level I swore I would never teach, I got a call within the week asking if I would accept this job offer. This time I was not confident in what I wanted to do. I had one week to make my decision and so the pro and con lists started.

Talking to my family, I had mixed reviews. My Dad couldn’t decide what he thought. I knew he was scared out of his mind of me moving so far from home and my Mom always says the same thing when it comes to advice which is “it’s up to you,” which of course is super helpful advice when you have no idea what you want to do. Time was ticking and I still had no decision.

One beautiful summer evening I was at my good friend’s house sitting by a fire with her mom and her mom’s friend. The job in Arizona came up and her mom’s friend looked at me with all seriousness and simply asked, “Why not?”

Those two simple words have changed my life. No one had ever asked me, why not? Why not move across the country and explore a new area I’ve never even heard of before? Why not have new experiences, meet new people, and immerse myself in a culture that I’ve only ever read about in social studies textbooks? When it came down to it I had nothing holding me back. I was single, young, and really was clueless into what I wanted in life. I could always move back. Why not give it a year and see where this crazy thing called life takes me?

In the end, I accepted the job as a kindergarten teacher in Parker, Arizona. In early July, I packed my car with my clothes and drove across the country knowing no one and having no idea what I was getting myself into. I only made it a year in Arizona but I regret nothing. Moving across the country and living in a complete different place from where I grew up challenged me but also made me a better person. I met so many amazing people and had the opportunity to teach a group of wonderful, unique, and inspiring children. This move gave me confidence and a true sense of independence. If I had never moved and never asked myself “what if?” I would not have the courage to travel to Tanzania this summer.

Life is short and the best parts are those moments when we take that leap of faith. Why not move away, take a new job, travel, start a business, learn a new language, or even jump out of that airplane? Do what makes you happy. Become a person that does something, not just talks about it.

Yes, change is scary. It was not easy moving to Arizona. I had some moments that really pushed me mentally and emotionally but I also had some of the best days of my life out there. Nothing worth it in life is an easy choice. The most amazing moments are the ones that tests our strength. So the next time you have an opportunity don’t let it slip by making you think “what if?” Instead, I urge you to go for it and ask why not?