DC to DUX, can't be that hard, right?

December 17, 2009 4:06 PM

I moved across the country for a dream job at my alma mater, my job's funding was cut and I am now unemployed. I have no benefits and am losing my place at the end of the month. I don't have a lot of money but I have decided to make a go of Eugene, Oregon. I have applied to some temp places, but what else should I be doing as a professional fundraiser and broadcast journalist to find work and get my life together? I am over the despair but I need major help.

I'll try to stay active in the thread. This has been a major heartbreak for me. It feels like I have lost a child.

posted by parmanparman to Work & Money (5 answers total)

I'd hit all the public radio and television stations within your area ASAP. With the year closing, you might be able to get in while the 2010 budget has not been spent yet.
posted by chambers at 4:47 PM on December 17, 2009

With your fundraising/journalism experience, a larger city than Eugene might be a better bet. There will be more opportunities and demand for that combo. Non-profit organizations love a person who can do both of those skills well, as they are getting a two jobs for one deal. If you're looking at the west coast, I'd expand your search out to Portland and Seattle too.
posted by chambers at 4:52 PM on December 17, 2009

First of all, Great place to live here in south willamette valley. If you are cost conscious don't overlook places in springfield (across the river or across the interstate depending on what part of town you are in). It is cheaper, if a little rougher than some parts of Eugene. Unemployment is high here, but there are jobs available-you just got to hustle and be willing to work something less than ideal. There are lot of nonprofits around, like most places, and the economy is actually pretty diverse here. Good Luck and if you want more specefic information about neighborhoods or such let me know.(i work as an engineer and don't really have any idea about your field).
posted by bartonlong at 4:52 PM on December 17, 2009

Eugene (and Oregon in general) isn't the best place to be:

Eugene's Unemployment
(helpful and informative site in general)

Good luck.
posted by nursegracer at 9:28 PM on December 17, 2009

If you stay in Eugene, you may have to settle for a something less than ideal as far as work. Strangely enough I know more than one really talented person who lived in Eugene doing bottom of the totem pole stuff, who became rather successful.-after they moved away.
posted by psycho-alchemy at 12:29 AM on December 18, 2009