Hi everyone, thanks for giving this a read. Here's the layout:
Situation:
- I'm an alternate ALT for JET Program 2026.
Options:
- Stay in Atlanta, live with my parents, work a part-time job while looking for a full-time job.
- Pros: don't have to pay rent, aside from occasional nagging, home is good place to be for me.
- Cons: feels like the same little home town. (I live 40 min from ATL, not directly in ATL)
- Move to Pittsburgh, live with my bf (of 2 years), work a part-time job while looking for a full-time job.
- Pros: also don't have to pay rent. I visited Pittsburgh w/ him 2 wks ago & the new environment gave me a fresh mindset. It'd be good for us to be together irl as he adjusts to his first year in his master's program & I transition into wherever I am headed.
- Cons: I'll miss my family. I'm always worried about them. Bc i care about them a lot I find that I've been limiting myself & not fully letting myself explore or be free or figure out who I truly am independently.
My Goal:
- I'd still like to do JET if I am upgraded to shortlisted, but if I somehow land a job that pays way more… then I might stay and save up money since supporting my family/building up my savings & investments is a long-term priority for me. (JET abt $27,000 USD. I'd need a job at least $60,000 USD to reconsider JET).
My Question:
What do you guys think of this plan? Any suggestions for how I should plan out these next few months? I do plan on working for now to build up savings instead of immediately doing a masters degree (I graduate undergrad in May).
Not sure if this is the right place to be posting this but thank you guys so much!
by Southern_Yoghurt_927