mn_girl

Admittedly, this is a bit premature. I am not applying for PhD programs until this coming fall, but I was wondering if anyone out there has any experience with the two body problem, specifically when one's partner is planning on beginning a career rather than gearing up for more school. My partner, a biology major, will graduate in December with a BS and desires a job somewhere within the wildlife research/management field. Ideally, he'd like to stay in MN (where we live currently) as our families are here and he's familiar with nearly all aspects of the geography and biology of the region. Part of his reluctance to want to move comes from a fear his mediocre grades (around a 2.6) will be a hinderance in any place besides the region where his practical knowledge makes up for it. I will graduate in May with a BA in English and plan on pursuing my PhD. Most of the advice I've been given regarding location is that it's not likely you'll be hired for a position in the same part of the country that you earn your PhD. Because I know I want to try and be close to family when I raise my own family, I'd like to get out of MN especially and the midwest in general for my studies, for the aforementioned reason and that I've never lived outside the state, and I want to use this time to experience a new part of the country. Does anyone have any advice for me? My partner has vocalized he sometimes feels like I'm putting my schooling above his starting his career-- how can I talk about compromise to him when it does appear I'm asking him to make huge personal and professional sacrifices just so I can keep going to school? And, for ENG or BIO people in particular-- anyone know of any English programs (specifically strong in 19th century British lit) in areas of the country that would lend themselves well to entry-level biology positions (maybe Colorado or the PNW?)? Thanks in advance.