I'm planning to move back to Boston after 11 years in NYC. I got my PDC in 2010 and I'm anxious to focus full time career wise but couldn't take the pay cut. I've maintained my job as a Broadcast Designer to pay my loans and bills and plan to be debt free when I move to Boston. I recently got married and want to start a family soon. Part of my reason leaving NYC is that Boston is more relaxed, extended family and the wife after living in NYC all her life can't stand it anymore. After countless paid workshops on horticulture, composting, green roofs, farming on an urban lot during my free time etc. I'm starting to see little opportunities in getting my foot in the door. It's as if my Graphic Design BG doesn't seem to matter in conjunction with my PDC certification or self taught experience in Urban Farming or holistic living (gardening). Jobs pertaining to urban farming/horticulture need people that have years of professional experience in it. The feeling is unless I become a lowly unpaid intern for a year and graduate from an expensive Masters Program that I'll finally be taken seriously. I'm a multi talented person and it just seems everything people are looking for are specialists. I can't sit at my desk anymore dreaming about a future. Has anyone been in my shoes before? I could theoretically start self apprenticing by teaching permaculture classes or offering permaculture designs for free but unless I've applied it in real life to real zones I find it hard to believe people become these Permaculture teachers charging money right after a PDC course. Maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree here but I figure I could get some ideas in the Permaculture community. With all the buzz of green and thing happening in NYC I find it incredibly hard to transition FT.

Hi Justin,

I'd start in your own back yard (if you can get a yard--even a "postage stamp" sized one) or yard share (there are nings and networks for yard sharing). Prove what you know , innovate, create some new things, find afun niche, don't think about trying to depend on it for money at first but as a way to feed your soul and move from dreaming into actual food security nad soul-independence. Then the answers wlil come as far as money and career aspects. And put your attention on the women in your family and community and giving them what they want--you'll get own your goals that way. Good luck! And look me up when you're back here. Inspiring tutor boston [at] gmail. Just moed back from NYC myself. (yes i do feel a bit saner)

Hey Justin,

I believe this book could help add some perspective to your situation regarding finding work that's permaculture/green related vs. being more entrepreneurial in your approach: http://www.amazon.com/The-Icarus-Deception-High-Will-ebook/dp/B0090UOLEW

Here's the book trailer:

Seth Godin is a great resource!

I've worked for a long time to transition from the existing world into a more permanent one, recently made the jump to full time permaculture. That does not mean I'm a farmer or only teach PDCs but those are two elements of my overall design plan. Right now I'm looking at myself as a producer of media: anything from videos & websites to gardens & community groups (gardening people).

You are the only one that can know how best to do that for yourself. How can you leverage your existing skills and situation into permanence? Where are the major leverage points of action so you can get the most reward from your efforts?