[cnl4g2]

I graduated with a BA in psychology this past summer. I'm very interested in starting a career in adoption esp. international adoption. I worked in retail through college so I don't have any related experience. I would really appreciate any advice on where to start, where to look, the best way to get the experience I need-really ANY advice! i'm currently living in the Kansas City, MO area, but I am wanting to move out of state. Southern CA is my top choice, but I'm not limited to that. Thanks for any help you can give!

[Elkay]

I'm in the same boat you are, BA degree in Soc. and interested in adoption work. BUT - I do have some life advice that might help:

Unless you are very very very wealthy (or plan to have SEVERAL roommates) don't plan on moving to So.Cal. You can't afford it. The smallest of rents are WELL over a thousand dollars a month and wages there are barely better than anywhere else, you won't be able to live alone, let alone eat anything but beans and rice. I hate to say this, but a BA degree means very little in America today, you'll start out earning very little, too little to live in So. Cal. but enough to make ends meet in the city you live in now. Moving costs alone would be over a thousand dollars. I just moved 2 1/2 hours from central PA to Pittsburgh PA and it cost 500 for the truck (gas is pricy) and a thousand for deposit + first months rent. My husband makes 30,000 and we are JUST squeaking by (he has school debt)... entry level work in adoption (a rarity in itself) might not even pay half that.

My eyes were all too wide when I graduated, and now I'm finding out that my BA is worthless, but I encourage you to keep thinking positive, work hard, save, and get experience in the best thing that you can, be it adoption gruntwork or clerical services for the local hospital.

[Free_to_be_me]

Another good idea is to start by volunteering with people/agencies who are involved with adoption. If you want to work with birthparents, see if you could facilitate a birthparent support group once a month. If you want to educate people about adoption, see if you can arrange informational panels with several speakers a couple times a year. Basically, just get your name and face known in the adoption community so when a position becomes available the people doing the hiring know your face, know that you are committed to adoption and you will have some related experience. All of these things will help you land your "dream job."

Good luck.