Tulsa

By me • Apr 27th, 2006 • Category: job hunting

What did I learn during my interview in Tulsa?

Tulsa is very low key, extremely so, it makes Grand Rapids look like a very hip place to be.
It is also a very religious area, like Grand Rapids, but they have churches called “The Beams of Light with Pastor Jimmy Ray.” We have nothing that sounds that funny.
It’s sprawling, with very few large buildings. The land is also very flat. It was just a very weird landscape. I never thought of where I lived as particularily hilly, but there are definitely more vertical surfaces here than there.
It’s very blue collar. Even the rich/influential people wear jeans and cowboy boots all the time. I looked out of place in a suit and heels, on a private college campus of all places.
When you leave your family very important things can happen, and you aren’t there to see them, and you will be stunned speechless when your 11 month old neice walks over to greet you at the airport.
When you go on an interview at a college the entire faculty wants to meet you, not necessarily because they care, but because they know they will get a free meal out of it. (consequently - you will get to try some great food. Vietnamese coffee is my new favorite drink.)
It is definitely oil country. From my hotel I could see a gigantic golden oil driller in front of the state fair/expo pavilion. He kinda creeped me out, but he made me laugh at the same time. (and I just couldn’t resist adding the crotch shot)