Well said, Kevin. I'd like to add to item 3 about making a contribution: volunteering is a great way to go...this is more the case for non-profits, but employers are much more likely to hire you if they know you already. Get any old job to pay the bills and identify an organization you'd love to work for, and volunteer your free time/skills to their cause (or get an internship with them if that fits your goals). They may become impressed with your abilities and build a job for you, even, especially if you volunteer to do something that's so far missing from their programs...eg volunteering to lead educational programs for the land trust in town, if envi ed is your thing, and maybe they'll see the value of having an education director.

In any case you'll be the first to hear when a job that you're interested in comes up, and employers often opt to hire from within. And if they don't have to open a hiring process and pay to advertise the job, then everyone's happy.

And of course, have a look here to see if there's already a good opportunity available in your town: Orion Grassroots Network ~ Internship & Career Service:

http://www.orionsociety.org/pages/ogn/ics.cfm

Erik
 

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