Small, women-owned businesses? NGOs? Large, women-run businesses? Independent newspapers and magazines? That’s a list that needs to be made.

An interesting idea I read today to get your brain moving was to use the phrase “Under no circumstances will I…” So…”Under no circumstances will I work at Wal-Mart. Under no circumstances will I work for a financial institution that works within the IMF. Under no circumstances will I do data entry.” Or whatever. That gets you moving, gets ideas flowing, and narrows down what you WILL do.

And not only can you turn down interviews…you can turn down JOBS.

It’s one thing to work your way up and spread your resume around (which I agree to doing. Pokey, get on that right away) but it’s another to take a job at an institution that you think is doing more harm than good.

Still, I agree 100% to the practical advice. When I was in a serious slump a couple of years ago, before I went back to finish my bachelor’s degree, Georgia gave me a great piece of succinct advice. Get moving, doesn’t matter too much in what direction at first. But sitting still won’t solve a thing. Start sending out resumes, then research more in depth as you wait for responses. You can always turn down interviews!

(Aside: The Ushahidi site is fascinating. Kenya’s in our AOR -area of responsibility-, and it’s amazing the impact that country has had on the surrounding area. So much of what’s distributed within the Horn of Africa funnels through the relative calm and peace of Kenya.)

And, a job now is not a job forever. Okay, so web design is not what you want to do. But will it get you into the NGO/company/non-profit you want? I think there’s a distortion that colleges and the media have no problem handing us: Go to School, Get a Degree, Get Your Dream Job. It’s simple! Eh, noitisn’t. My trainer at the gym had a Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology. So, she started working there as a trainer in order to learn the company and the industry. She had no plans to be a personal trainer for the rest of her life. But she wedged her foot firmly in the door of the company. She worked her ass off writing special programs, hosting roundtables with other trainers, and attending conferences to learn more. My bad luck–she got promoted to a new gym to be in charge of the trainers. And that, hopefully, will get her up the next step, and the next, until she’s spent enough time in the industry to successfully open a gym focused on holistic health (that was her goal).

A career, a goal, a dream…it’s WORK. People don’t suddenly land their dream job. They work for years to create the opportunity to take their dream job. I’m not a “Pull yerself up by yer bootstraps, sonny!” kind of woman. I know that to be successful, most people need support, encouragement, and an environment that will allow them to succeed.

Consider yourself supported and encouraged. Mass send your resume, pronto. Go to interviews. Perhaps, in that process, you will interview somewhere that isn’t right for you, but the interviewer will recommend a place that is THE ONE. Or you’ll talk with another interviewee who tells you about several openings someplace else.

DO IT.