An e-mail. As part of a mass e-mail blast I received an e-mail offering to pay off my student loans in exchange for working in rural Alaska. Initially, I deleted the e-mail only to return later and dig it out of the trash bin. I read through it and thought, "Whatever, we can't do this. We have kids, and people with kids don't get to do crazy things like this." Half-heartedly I showed the e-mail to Mark who laughed and asked, "You want to move to Alaska?"
After hypothetically talking about moving, we finally agreed it would be nice to pay off my student loans. As it stands right now we will still be paying them off when our kids are having kids! So we decided I should at least inquire further about this Alaska job, but also search out other, closer, loan repayment opportunities.
** Side note: As a physician assistant I have the opportunity to provide medical care in an under-served area and the government will pay back my student loans. These under-served areas are scored based on need. A score of 14 or higher gets you $60,000 loan repayment for a 2 year commitment. After your initial 2 years, you can sign on year by year for $30,000/year. **
I searched multiple recruiter websites and applied for jobs in Maine, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Alaska. Door after door closed on other positions. Either the position had already been filled, or the practice was only looking at nurse practitioner applicants. Alaska on the other hand kept moving forward, quickly, almost too quickly. I officially applied for the Alaska position and the next Tuesday I spent the day on various phone interviews. By Thursday I was interviewing with the medical director of the hospital, by Friday they were purchasing plane tickets for Mark and I to do a site visit with final face to face interviews!
Three weeks later we flew to Bethel, Alaska. The people were super friendly, the job had great opportunities for me, the town had opportunities for Mark and the kids, and the benefits were great, the pay was great, and no more student loans. After our whirlwind 2 day trip they offered me the job and we enthusiastically accepted.
Now begins the craziest thing we have ever done! We're selling the house, quitting our jobs, leaving behind our comfort zone for rural Bethel, Alaska. Numerous friends and family asked me to start a blog so everyone can keep up with us while we are out there. So we have roughly 6 weeks to pack all our stuff, sell the house, say goodbye to family and friends and drive across the country with an 8 month old and a 2 1/2 year old. If we can maintain our sanity through all that we just might have a chance at making Alaska our home, at least for a little while.
