When I was beginning my job search in Spring 2022, one of my top requirements in a role was the opportunity to move out of state. I grew up in Georgia and attended the University of Georgia - it was all I knew! I was eager to experience something different.
I met a company at the UGA Career Center’s Spring Career Fair, and I hadn’t originally planned on stopping by their table. The recruiter seemed very friendly, and I decided to stop and chat with her. That's when she informed me of the relocation aspect of the role and the support the company offers during that transition.
This organization was hiring for nationwide locations, and as a new hire, I wouldn’t know my placement until halfway through training. We were able to rank our top 4 available locations, and then the trainers deliberated with upper management to disperse the training class. I found out I had been placed at the organization's headquarters in Lincoln, Rhode Island. We were in Rhode Island for training, so I was familiar with the office setting but knew no one currently living in the state. Nonetheless, I was excited!
For relocation, I was assigned a case manager who helped me plan the logistics of my move. We discussed when the movers would arrive to pack my belongings and ship them to Rhode Island for me. My items were kept in storage for me while I found a permanent apartment.
I had the option of flying to Rhode Island and either having my car shipped or driving my car myself. I opted to drive myself and turned it into a fun 3-day road trip. I was reimbursed for all my food, gas, wear and tear on the vehicle, hotels, and everything in between. When I got to Rhode Island, I was provided temporary housing in a longer stay-style hotel (meaning it had a kitchenette).
Once I found an apartment, I coordinated with my case manager to have my items removed from storage and delivered to my place. Once there, I had movers who were phenomenal. They helped me unpacked and moved the furniture for me multiple times as I was figuring out the layout; one mover even fixed the wobble in my kitchen table.
I write all this to say, if you’re also looking to move out of state for your first role, there are organizations that provide ample support in the relocation process. As you’re going through an interview process, it is more than valid to ask questions regarding your relocation benefits so you have a better understanding of what to expect if you get the role and decide to take it.
Now this level of support in relocation is not as common as other relocation benefits. A majority I have seen are organizations that provide a moving stipend and a certain amount of money you can be reimbursed for once you’ve relocated. Sometimes, the stipend does not cover the full cost of the move.
If you’re able, I highly recommend moving out of state while you are a “free agent” with less responsibilities. If finances are a major concern for you, discussing this during the interview process is key, and we recommend utilizing NerdWallet’s cost of living calculator and their free budget template to aid you in your decision making process. You can also join the UGA Mentor Program before you graduate and filter by major city to connect with mentors living and working where you may be interested in relocating to.
If you’re reading this post-graduation, we highly encourage you to consider serving as a mentor in the program and offer support to our active students when it comes to topics like class load, first-years or transfer that are new to life at UGA, etc. When it comes to online networking as an alumni, we have tools on how to Leverage LinkedIn for cultivating your network.
Moving away was a phenomenal experience for me, and I regret nothing. It taught me a lot about myself and what it takes to be an “adult.”