What role does strategy play in resource management?

A college senior, Alison, figures that she will need a minimum starting salary of $35,000 to live in Charleston, South Carolina, based on a budget she has developed. She wants to live in Charleston because she has friends there, but she is having trouble finding a job because she goes to school 500 miles away. Alison’s main expense will be at least $800 a month for rent. If you were Alison what would you do next?

In other words, what would your strategy be?