The time you spend wishing is the time you should spend doing.

Isn't that right. 2 part-time (yet ultimately consuming) jobs, preparing for a festival (while looking for others), and applying for future employment...all while trying to have a social life and eventually meet a guy..or two. Not easy, but it will all definitely be worth it.
I heard back from a Charter School in Newark today about a potential long-term substitute dance teacher position starting in the fall that I applied to. If all goes well this could lead me to the future that I want to obtain. It's all about taking the steps in order to reach the goal. With that in mind:
Thinking about doing something to further yourself is great and all, but it's wasted energy unless you actually DO it.

It's true. I used to think about all the wonderful things I wanted to do but that really never got me anywhere. With a kick in the butt from my mother as well as getting over any setbacks in my future plans, I just started doing anything and everything to help get me closer to being a teaching artist.

A few things I'm starting to learn:

• apply to anything and everything. building a resume is the first step in getting that "ultimate" job
• you're not going to get paid for everything. but employers want to see experience, so do whatever needs to be done to get the experience
• build your contacts. people you know or have worked with before WILL help you out.
• never think that you are above or superior to any position. you're the unemployed one here...
• be a person of multiple trades. I'm a dancer. but I'm also a teacher, a coordinator, an advertiser, a performer, a choreographer, a manager, a leader, etc. and if there's something I don't know how to do, I'll make sure I learn in order to get a job

Of course with all of this, there is no reason to sacrifice the integrity of our art which is why I felt the following is a necessary component of post-college life:

You can do it all and be proud of it. That's how I feel after this year...and will after the next, and the next as long as I stick to this mindset of moving forward.
but
Just know that with everything in life

There is no failure, only feedback.