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<p>The part about the relatives living close to the area you intend on job searching should be emphasized. You’re likely to wind up working in the area where you’re living while looking for work. Employers usually prefer to interview local candidates. Even after hired for your first job, it’s often difficult to get employers in other areas to consider you. The upshot is that wherever you go, you’re likely to wind up working there, possibly for a few years.</p>
<p>Obviously, this is a problem if the area has limited opportunities, you dislike living there, or both. In these cases, you’re better off in the long run finding any job which makes it possible to pay the rent where you are. It might be unpleasant in the short term to work at a menial job while putting a great deal of effort into your job search. It might be more unpleasant in the long run to spend several years in an area you dislike.</p>
<p>Also, going back to the area you lived in during high school won’t be like living there during high school at all. University has changed you so much that you won’t relate to the place in the same way. And most of your high school friends have probably moved on. Even if you enjoyed being there during high school, you might not now.</p>
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<p>QFT.</p>
<p>At best, you’ll apply for graduate school in a field you don’t really want to work in. In this case, you’re wasting your time and, if not fully funded, your money. But at least you could go for yet another Master’s program in the field you actually want.</p>
<p>At worst, you’ll perform poorly because you applied for a program or field which wasn’t right for you. In this case, you might now have difficulties applying for programs you actually want at a later date. It also looks bad when trying to reintegrate into the job market.</p>