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HR Pathways: You Want Me to Move Where?!

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In my first two blogs , I’ve focused on what life has been like for me in the beginning months of my career here at Intel. While that’s all well and good, believe it or not, life does exist for me outside of Intel’s walls. So with that said, I’d like to recall my initial thoughts about potentially moving out west to Oregon, and how I’ve changed my tune now that I’ve lived here for seven months.

Back when I was in college, I used to daydream about what my life would look like once I graduated and “made-it” out in the “real-world”. Having grown up in Chicago, and having all of my friends and family living and working there, it was a no-brainer that one day I too would don my suit and tie, hop on the train, and ride the elevator to my great cubicle in the sky somewhere downtown. It was pretty much a foregone conclusion.

This all changed of course the day I received a call from Intel about the resume I posted for a job opportunity in the HR Pathways Program . After talking to the staffing consultant I knew that this job had everything I wanted and was looking for, but there was a catch: I had to move out to Portland, Oregon! Truth be told, I was always flexible about location, but I figured I’d end up somewhere in the midwest, not Oregon!

My initial thoughts after visiting for an interview, and first moving out here were: “Well it’s different from Chicago”. In fact, any time someone would ask me how I was enjoying Portland in my first couple weeks my response was usually with some variation of “It’s different”.

Well I’m here seven months later to tell you… I was right. Portland is different (in fact, the cities unofficial credo is “Keep Portland Weird”). Portland is not Chicago, New York, or even Kansas City; it’s Portland, and that’s alright with me.

As much as I miss Chicago’s deep dish pizza, majestic skyscrapers, and the ability to watch the Bulls, Bears, and Cubs games consistently on TV, there are some things I really enjoy and actually prefer about living here versus Chicago.

For instance, I like being within a short drive of mountains, oceans, and waterfalls, instead of cornfields. I’m still in shock that a city as large as Portland can be as clean and litter free as it is. I love the rain (OK well not the rain itself, but in comparison to 5° temps and snow storms, I love the rain). And of course, the local beer here is unrivaled (I was in heaven at the Oregon Brewers Fest this past July). I could keep going on and on but I digress.

So was moving to Oregon a part of my “master plan in life”? Nope. But I must say, I’m starting to really appreciate the goodness that this state and area have to offer and I can honestly say that Portland feels like home now and I’m happy to be here.

So to impart some wisdom on those currently in the hunt for that perfect job; don’t be afraid of a little change of scenery… you may actually like it!