Life Choices, Challenges and Changes

Part I Life Choices Challenges and Changes

Part 1 2007 - 2008

Life Choices, Changes, and Challenges

Chapter 4: Career Change

May 2008

At the beginning of May 2008, Rory resigned from her job as a journalist and split up with James. She returned to Stars Hollow to her childhood home with no job prospects. Rory was home for two weeks now and lying in her bed, she thought back to the past year. In one year she had said no to a marriage proposal, traveled the country on a bus, met a new man, turned him down, and gave up her dream job at being a journalist. Now she found herself back where she had started. In yesterdays mail, Rory received an invitation to attend an alumni career day at Chilton. In the invitation Headmaster Charleston asked her to speak to students about her experience as a journalist, an editor at the Yale Daily News, her time at Yale University and her experience at Chilton that brought her to her career choice. She decided that it would be fun, so she called Paris, and they both agreed that it might be fun to participate.

She and Paris attended the Alumni Career Day. They met a few of their old classmates but what she liked most was the time she spent in the classroom talking to the students and answering their questions. Paris, of course, frightened many students, and it was comical to watch her throw herself at a classmate that she thought was Tristan Dugrey but wasn't. As the day progressed, Headmaster Charleston roamed the halls and stopped outside of many of the guest speaker's classrooms. He stood outside of the room where she was talking to the students and was impressed with the young Miss Gilmore, her poise, and confidence. She was a natural with children.

When the day was complete, Rory stopped into Headmaster Charleston's office to say goodbye. He asked her to stay and talk for a few minutes.

"Rory, your grandfather tells me that you resigned from your job recently. Any special reason?"

"It wasn't what I expected it to be, and I realized it isn't what I want to do for the rest of my life."

"Have you thought about teaching?" he asked her.

"No, actually I hadn't. I was so focused on being a journalist that I never thought of anything else. I did major in English and English Lit at Yale along with journalism, and I took a few business courses."

"I think you would be a fine teacher, someone that I would be proud to hire here at Chilton. Think about it. You could substitute teach while you take your graduate courses."

She spent an hour talking to Headmaster Charleston. Before she left, he handed her a catalog from Yale that was about their master's in the education program. He told her that she probably had more than enough credits and if she started this summer, there would be a job for her when she finished. She thanked him and got into her car and drove back to Stars Hollow.

Rory returned home and placed the catalog on the table in the kitchen.

"Rory, I am home?" yelled Lorelai as she entered the house.

Lorelai was happy that Rory was home since she and Luke had set a wedding date for August 2008.

"I am in the kitchen, mom."

"What are you reading?"

"Something that Headmaster Charleston gave me."

"What is this, a catalog from Yale?"

"Yeah, Headmaster Charleston suggested I look into their graduate program."

"Huh, why did you clip the page for master's in education?" Lorelai asked, as she grabbed a mug and filled it with coffee.