I've moved!

I've moved to http://www.caitiehawley.com

Come check it out!

In just four years...how we've grown!

The "F Word": Future, Part I

Two days ago, I graduated from college.

Now I'm sitting here on a chair at my parents house in Lima, Ohio (not Peru - contrary to the Twitter confusion we had earlier) wondering when I'm supposed to start feeling like an adult.

I'm one of many of my friends who does not have a solid plan. Yes, I have a pending nomination for a position teaching Math in Sub-Saharan Africa. But, nominations come and go. I might not make the deadline. I might have to wait for another nomination, and wait a few more months until I leave.

I'm accustomed to being busy. There was a reason I was involved with 3 organizations while I was in college. Geez. "While I was in college." Past tense. Scary. I have several projects and plans for while I'm home. I have a bag full of cloth and t-shirts that will hopefully soon become a quilt for my grand little [pending me learning how to use a sewing machine]. I want to update my blog and create a website for personal and professional branding. I have offered my services as a tutor to the Economics and Math teachers at my high school. I will be attending summer soccer practices for my old high school team to help them get into shape [pending me getting in shape...] I have emailed the President of Allen Economic Development Group, a private/public ownership dedicated to economic growth of the community, to see what kind of opportunities they might have available. I want to get a part-time job. I want to take my little sister on college visits. Oh, and I want to take some time to visit friends and spend some time relaxing at my lake house.

Pre-graduation, I thought my resume was packed with all sorts of leadership experience and relevant work. Now, I question myself. Am I impressive enough?

The only way to know is by throwing myself out there and trying to make a difference in the only way I can at this point. The economy is awful, jobs aren't available - we all know this mantra. But that's no reason to sit at home and do nothing. I grew up in Washington, D.C. which made me cut-throat and motivated to be the best. I went to high school in a small town, which made me innovative and creative in the ways I avoid boredom. Time to use both of those attributes to create something powerful.