Had to turn down my dream job.
I’m so pissed.
For reference, I’m 25F. I am the mother to a 5-year-old son. I graduated college two years ago, did very well in my classes despite balancing work and a baby, and cumulatively have a year and seven months of copywriting experience, ten months of federal paralegal experience, six months’ contract experience as a coordinator for education programs for refugees, and six months’ contract experience as a paralegal at my state attorney general’s office. I know it sounds like I’m being egotistical or whatever but I’m proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish, because I had it rough. I also speak and translate Yiddish and completed a translation fellowship recently.
I just was offered a job that looked perfect. It was in New York, where I’m originally from. It involved being a community liaison at a local services organization, and it paid 80k, which I was stunned by. They were drawn to me because of my professional and volunteer experience (I’ve organized continuing education and professional training programs at a shelter where I used to live) and because of the fact that I’m fluent in Yiddish.
HOWEVER, they told me I’d have to live in the specific neighborhood where they’re based. Even on an 80k salary, I wouldn’t be able to afford a two-bedroom there, and my son is not gonna be 5 forever. I even looked into getting a one-bedroom and sleeping on a pullout couch, but the only one-bedroom I could afford was located in an underperforming school district. I can’t afford private school and charter lotteries take more time to sign up for than such a fast move would allow.
I don’t know if I’m ungrateful or entitled. I called them yesterday and thanked them for their time but told them it wouldn’t be feasible. They told me they regretted seeing me go and wished me luck on my job search. I understand it’s also more of a housing market problem than anything. Still, it left a sour taste in my mouth because they stressed social Justice issues and awareness of systemic injustice and stuff while requiring that their employees live in wildly expensive ZIP codes.