Man goes from BYU grad to nomad

PROVO — The scariest thing about a cross-country trek with no car and no money is not going hungry or sleeping outside.

It's the possibility that Aaron Anderson will still not find what he's looking for.

"What if I do go on the trip and experience all these things, get a job, but still feel that restlessness?" the 25-year-old mused.

Since graduating in April from BYU with a degree in business administration, with an emphasis on entrepreneurship, Anderson has had 10 jobs, none of them a perfect fit.

"I really like change, that's the problem," he said. "After living in a place for a year, I'm bored with it and ready for something new. With jobs, it's been even worse."

So, hoping a United States walkabout will open his eyes to greater possibilities, Anderson is setting out in 2010 with nothing but an iPhone, eight shirts, dress clothes, bathroom essentials and a hefty slice of optimism.

"I really like going places and meeting random people," Anderson said. "As I was doing job search after job search, trying to figure out what I wanted to do, I (got) sick of reading stuff online. I needed to experience, needed to get out there."

Starting from his home state of Arizona where it's warm in the winter, Anderson will trek across the country, relying on the kindness of strangers for rides, odd jobs, food, places to sleep and job-shadowing opportunities.

During his two-week "beta-testing" phase in Provo, Anderson said he approached drivers in grocery stores, gas stations or red lights, told them about his plan and then asked for a ride.

He said he was able to get to work on time every day without problems.

And what did these people say?

"It depends on the person," Anderson said. "Some people are like, 'You're crazy.' But most of the time, the most common reaction, people want to know how and why."

And he has a few of those same questions himself.

He knows he might end up sleeping outside.

He might be occasionally hungry. But it's all part of the experience.

"For him, I think it's a great idea," said Ty Roney, Anderson's former roommate. "He's such a free spirit. He's never been satisfied staying in one place. The guy loves just meeting people, loves random experiences. This is perfect for him."

Roney remembered that one time Anderson suggested they drive to San Francisco for the weekend. They did and had a great time.

"I'm not worried about the guy at all. I think he'll be fine," Roney said. "I hope he figures it out soon so he doesn't have to be a nomad for the rest of his life.

"I just graduated myself," Roney continued. "I'm kind of in the same boat as he is, but I'm not going to go to that extreme."

To follow Anderson's progress, visit www.grad2nomad.com.

E-mail: sisraelsen@desnews.com