CSR Employment in Anchorage (student loan, houses, find a job)

[Trevor123]

Hello,

I work at a large medical supply/distribution company here in Arkansas, and my girlfriend has been talking about us moving up to Alaska when she finishes vocational school this coming spring (She's AK native-been here about year and a half). Tlinqet/Hyda (sp?) is paying for her education and cost involved with moving back, so we can do it together and save lots of money if we were to hurry. Plus, she will have employment (hopefully) waiting for her.

Me, on the other hand, won't have family/friends/employment there. The "employment" is what scares me the most. I've been scouring the employment ads online, and stumbled across Southcentral Foundation. Please don't rash me for asking this, but would I be passed over because I am not native? I mean, it's a non-profit organization that services NATIVES, and their families. Should I have any EEO issus? I'm quite familiar with the advice to come up there with loads of savings and have read countless times that it's hard getting a job before you move because it's simply easier to hire someone that lives across the city.

I'm looking for a Customer Service Representative position in a medical setting, so that rather limits my employment options-I really don't want to work with disgruntled customers like a cell phone, utility company, etc will have.

Are there any other business that I should be looking at? I'm familiar with the Alaska Job Netork online. I've considered a medical office, but I don't know what chances I'd have with no clinic experience and the fact that I'm a male.

Can anyone advise? I apologize for asking rather dumb questions, but they are genuine concerns. Am I best to throw caution to the wind and just move with my savings and hope for the best? She and I have casually discussed this for months, and now we're getting serious about doing this.

[gobrien]

From my understanding of Native corps, they do try to hire from their members when at all possible and are allowed to have a hiring preference. Maybe you should check out some of the temporary employment contractors such as Personnel Plus and others. A lot of those place people in full time jobs, but they will want to interview you first, most likely in person.

[akck]

I worked for a native corporation when I first moved here. They do have a native preference in hiring, but they do hire non-natives too.

[Trevor123]

Suppose there are 3 applicants. 2 Natives, and a Caucasian. If I am just as qualified, if not a little more, should I have any concerns? I'm just trying to be realistic-and I do understand if their is a bit of preference.

I'm genuinely a little concerned that as a diabetic since I was 8 that I couldn't join the military. I have no military work experience, I am not native, but I have years of customer service and excellent references. Also, I only have an Associates degree. I worry that I won't be able to find a job that pays more than $12 an hour. Shoot, now I'm thinking about going to school for medical assisting just so I can keep the same level of pay if I were to move.

[akck]

If all three are qualified, you'd be choice three. Even if you were a little better qualified, it would still go to the native. That's what native preference means. Now, if the 2 natives weren't qualified, you'd get the job. Expanding your career opportunities would not be a bad idea, assuming you can complete it before moving.

[Trevor123]

Thank you all. That answered my question. I understand why they have a native preference, I'm just trying to figure out how it will affect me. I doubt that I will be applying for any positions before I leave. Let's face it, I'm looking for a blue collar job, not a professional job. I doubt I'd have luck getting a job before leaving AR. I work for a company that has a warehouse in Anchorage. I'm REALLY hoping that I could get on there because I'm already an employee, but I'm used to office jobs, not warehouse jobs, so I doubt they'd let me transfer there if I'm not qualified. I'm certainly gonna try. It'd be incredible if I had a job waiting for me once we get there. If not, I'm afraid all the PTO I have will not be usable if I'm using it to move (and quit).

[Sava_baby]

Why would you do Medical Assisting? I am a CMA and if I could go back in time I would do 3 months more school and get twice the pay as an LPN and not be stuck with a $ 10,000 student loan, barely able to make those payments! Just a piece of advice. If you want to do front office, do billing and coding ( pays superb ) and if you want to do patient care go for LPN/LVN. Unless you know you can keep afloat as an MA. MA pay in most states sucks....!

[Trevor123]

Thanks for the heads up. She's definitly leaving AR for AK in March, so I'd really like to go back with her. I work at Cardinal Health, so I'm praying that they'd make a spot for me at their warehouse in Anchorage even though I'm in C.Service. If you're familiar with the company, I believe they have 2 warehouses-not just 1. That's my best bet right now unfortunately. I know they wouldn't pay to relocate. I'm just praying that they'll keep me within the company.

I'd do the LPN thing, but I'd need an income (here or there) while in school.

[TL551]

I'm not sure, but I don't think there is a LPN program here in Alaska. I heard from someone that was thinking about going into nursing school that there is a waiting list for the nursing program too.

[Trevor123]

Well, that's not good. Let's hope I can transfer then lol.