Let the job search begin!

For the last year, I have had my eye on job openings, watching for trends, job requirements, and preferred qualifications. I can’t say I used all of this information to my benefit. I could have volunteered more, or tried to find more experiences to be able to fit myself into a wide variety of positions. Yet, here I am, still sitting on a handful of experiences, many similar to my peers. Sure, there are a few things that set me apart from others, but will it be enough?

I have many interests in student affairs, yet I of course have in mind a 'dream job'. I have had experience in it and singularly, enjoy it the most out of all the others. My only concern is, Can I get this job!? How long should I wait for my dream job? I graduate in May, what do I do if I’m not employed by June... July... August...? In addition, there are other students in my cohort interested in this type of job.

Yesterday my dream job came open! I was super excited! I was reading through the post, and it seems items on my resume would cover all of the requirements, and many of the preferred qualifications. I was nearly dancing around the room. And then, I saw it. "50% time" UGH! You've got to be kidding me!

Now, I'm stuck in a rock and a hard place. I really want this job, however really need a full time job (need is a strong word... maybe "want, prefer, financially would be easier" would be a better way to put it). I don't know what to do. I could at least apply, but if I'm not serious about the job, shouldn't bother.

Let's work on a list...

Pros of this job opportunity:

• It really is my dream job - as far as position. I cannot speak for the institution, or office environment...
• It involves teaching! With my master's degree this is hard to come by, but would LOVE it!
• From what I can find, the job would provide me with opportunities to be innovative, start new projects and build on old ones.
  
• It is at a small school. I really didn't want to work for a campus that was more populated than the county I grew up in. :)
• It might be the only position in this exact field that opens up in the next few months (or longer).
  
• My schedule would possibly be more flexible to visit family, take a long weekend with my husband, etc.
• If my husband and I decided to have children, I would be able to be a 1/2 time stay at home mom :)
• Even having 1/2 time experience in this would give me leverage when/if I applied for a full time job.
  
• I could use the other time to do many other things: Professional development, a 2nd 'fun' job (I always have wanted to be a professional crafter, or photographer...), catch up on my 'to do' list.
  

Reasons this job may not work:

• It is only a 50% time job, which is of course 50% pay.
  
• It is exactly 62 miles from my husband's work place. We could move somewhere between and it wouldn't be terrible, but still.
• What if another dream job opens up, that is 100%, but I have already accepted the 50% job?
• There is an April start date. I'm not sure how flexible this is, and I do not graduate until early May.