just how bad is the slo job market? (San Jose, Santa Barbara: universities, wage)

[ecto]

fact or hype?

i see a lot of great threads praising san luis obispo but the recurring negative seems to be job availability.

i'm an experienced web developer. are there many tech jobs to be had or are those few and far as well?

at any rate i will be spending the weekend in the area. the last time i went i got the same vibe i get when i visit santa barbara and i liked that.

btw, i just registered so i know my post count is 1 but i would appreciate any feedback anyone may have.

thanks.

[Sassberto]

I'm an experienced web developer (10+ years)

I would love to move to SLO, I have a few contacts there. I have looked many times.

As far as I can tell, there is nothing. One web shop, maybe two. A couple of startups here and there. But basically, zip.

[FresnoFacts]

SLO is very limited, then when you add in the new college grads every year who want to stay in the area it makes it tighter.

I sometimes see things come up through Softec (SLO's local software and tech organization). For example I just took a look
Softec - Local Jobs
if you click the link for Web Associates they have a few openings in the SLO office (watch out, some are in San Jose)
Web Associates — Company » Job Listings

[ecto]

thanks for those links.
ireally hope i can find something.

i can always try the option of asking my present employer for a permanent remote work agreement.

it's a possibility as i already telecommute twice a week.
if nothing comes up and i'm sure slo is where i want to be, i guess i can try that and cross my fingers.

anyone else have any recommendations/input?
also, any recommendations for slo alternatives?

[CA central coast]

Basically, SLO County employment is all about local and state govt. and PG&E and Diablo Canyon.

[ecto]

bump.

no one can recommend any slo alternatives with better chances of landing a job? is santa barbara my best bet? i'd like to hear some recommendations. thanks.

[Sassberto]

Originally Posted by ecto

bump.

no one can recommend any slo alternatives with better chances of landing a job? is santa barbara my best bet? i'd like to hear some recommendations. thanks.

If you do tech you are somewhat limited to the major cities. Your best bet IMO is telecommute. As far as I can tell Santa Barbara is also extremely limited.

[OC2CC Dreaming]

how about checking out Cal Poly SLO and Cuesta?
Seems like the universities always need IT people. Good luck.

[Steppedinit]

Originally Posted by OC2CC Dreaming

how about checking out Cal Poly SLO and Cuesta?
Seems like the universities always need IT people. Good luck.

I work at Cal Poly and we really have a hard time keeping young IT people. They come in here, get some good experience, then go to the big cities for more money and a more dynamic town.

Pay raises are pretty slow coming for state employees. Cal Poly also pays less than the prevailing wage for big city web developers. You just need to come here for the quality of life and forget about money.

[ecto]

Originally Posted by Steppedinit

I work at Cal Poly and we really have a hard time keeping young IT people. They come in here, get some good experience, then go to the big cities for more money and a more dynamic town.

Pay raises are pretty slow coming for state employees. Cal Poly also pays less than the prevailing wage for big city web developers. You just need to come here for the quality of life and forget about money.

i'm definitely not living for money though i need to make ends meet in any place i end up moving to.

i looked at a couple of openings at Cal Poly and it may be harder for me because i do not hold a BS. seems to be a common deterrent.