Someone explain to me Florida's poor job output / low pay (Tampa: relocate, real estate)

[crystalblue]

IT is a tough field to break into. you may wish to think hard on it...

[pslOldTimer]

You've gotten good advice from I.T. colleagues. I wonder, however, if that's the best long term goal. It appears to me to be the modern equivalent of a tool and die maker -- good pay, but you start off as a tool and die maker and you end up as a tool and die maker.

Now that I'm retired, I can look back and see what brought success. My two most successful friends are good examples. One paid his dues in Eckerd's store management (now CVS) and went on to own a highly successful audio store. The other paid his dues as an insurance adjuster, then went on to be a highly successful owner of an insurance agency. My son paid his dues as a real estate appraiser, then became a staff appraiser for a major bank, and is now (age 36) moving up in bank management, 6 figures now and the limit is out of sight.

Even teachers and firemen make more than $8/hr. My son-in-law is a fireman/paramedic going for a nursing degree with a goal of being a nurse practitioner. He currently supplements his income part-time in an ER. My daughter is in her 16th year of teaching. They will never be wealthy, but they have everything they want (3 great kids, nice house with pool, new car and truck, all the toys, etc) AND they are happy.

These are all successful plans for anywhere in Florida or anywhere else. Florida is still growing, and any profession that takes advantage of growth wil succeed. Growth is what made me successful in my BBQ Grill store, after paying my dues in a a variety of efforts in a checkered past.

The other guaranteed path in Florida is medical. Take your IT skills to work as an echogram technician, inhalation therapist, pharmacist, or other detail-oriented medical job. My wife is a physical therapist, and one of our best friends is a speech pathologist. There is no limit for medical jobs in Florida as long as us old people live here in retirement.

If you can't make it in Florida, with all the growth, you can't make it anywhere. And, don't let the negative folks get to you -- Florida is still growing, and will continue to grow. There will always be enough folks with enough money who want to live here, and who will pay you for some service. Find that niche and do it. I sold BBQ Grills, my second choice would have been a bicycle shop. Today, I might specialize in Kayaks.

[Chromedome]

putting a long story short....


florida is NOT a good place for anybody looking to begin a career. and trying to build their wealth.

industry is almost non-existant here. the few that exist. are either of the 8 dollar an hour vest and nametag variety or have NO security.

the real estate and construction people in southwest florida who were making serious money a few years ago are on the verge of welfare and food stamps nowadays.

unless youre planning on going into medicine or have the means and knowledge to open your own business which most young professionals dont.

things are going to be very hard unless you get lucky.

and the florida defenders will always say "its hard everywhere" and "it all depends on yourself" yes these things are both true. but your environment and the opportunities presented to you make a world of difference


florida is where people come to spend their fortunes. not make them

[Karry]

I love your post Chromedome....Making a long story short.

Best advise to young IT'ers out there. In fact all young folks here in southwest Florida.The days of the 8.00 per hr. wage is about over with and we will see more and more young people leave this area for good.I've seen so many holding down 2 jobs in order to stay afloat and still have to come home, or so burned out they can't enjoy LIFE! I'm not saying my son's move to New Mexico will be easy and he's an IT'er, but he also has the surplus of colleges around him. If he settles in Las Caruces is New Mexico State University, few miles down the road is a college in Al Paso Texas. If he goes to Albq. is the University of New Mexico. These are old vintage colleges in the west. My son has heard digs about the move. Same temp. in NM as here in southwest Fl. (10 thousand feet above sea level in NM). Better learn Spanish, (knows Spanish very well). Don't think he will starve! LOL!

GOOD LUCK IT'ER

[Chromedome]

Originally Posted by Karry

The days of the 8.00 per hr. wage is about over with and we will see more and more young people leave this area for good.I've seen so many holding down 2 jobs in order to stay afloat and still have to come home, or so burned out they can't enjoy LIFE!

thats basically my point right there.

people constantly talk about how this is paradise, and talk about the weather and the beaches and all that stuff. but they dont realize that unless youre rich or are on vacation. more than likely you arent going to be able to enjoy those things. working two full-time retail jobs doesnt leave time for much...

[Lilybeans]

Originally Posted by 8.00 per hour

I've always wondered about this... the low wages and mostly service type jobs that South Florida usually has to offer. I live in Pembroke Pines, been here for close to 30 years and I really hate this place. Usually, I'm a individual who has to find a job often

Why "often"?

It seems to me that low wage jobs are entry level jobs. You need to stay with it to get increases in pay. That will apply anywhere you go.

[MrTudo]

Funny but several people I know, who never finished high school make 6 figures a year.

Never heard them whining about low paying "jobs".

I never have either, do quite a bit better than average and haven't worked a "job" for 17 years.

Many of the people I hear who DO complain about lower paying jobs are college grads.

I've always maintained that unless you are becoming a professional, ( lawyer, doctor, etc) that college teaches you how to waste a lot of time.

[MrTudo]

Originally Posted by Chromedome

putting a long story short....


florida is NOT a good place for anybody looking to begin a career. and trying to build their wealth.



florida is where people come to spend their fortunes. not make them

Really? When I came to Fla I had a pair of shoes, 2 shirts, and a pair of pants. Slept on the beach just south of Atlantic in Lauderdale by the Sea, for a short while.

Lost high 6 figures in stupid investments 10 years later. Had to make it in order to lose it obviously. Got it all back and then some. Most people I know are self made........in Fla and would laugh at what you said.

Fla is an excellent place to hone your skills and learn how to make a buck.

Tremendous opportunities exist here.

[MrTudo]

IT, I'm looking for a part time person who knows html, photo shop and dreamweaver to do some side work on a few of my websites. If you're up to the task, pm me and include a resume.

[gettheroof]

I worked what amounted to two FULL TIME jobs for almost twenty six years. I was a Firefighter, and now RETIRED at 46. I spent 1/3 of my life at the firehouse, 1/3 of my life framing houses. The past 10 years I was Director of Training at the Fire Acadmey in Melbourne when NOT working at the firehouse in Orlando. While in the Dept I went to college, got an A.S. and rose to the rank of officer, yet still framed houses. If you don't want to take some time to go up the ladder (no pun intended) then don't whine. Yes, I have a GREAT pension. I risked my life for 26 years and was rewarded for it. I used my knowledge gained in construction to build my own house in Georgia and saved who-knows-how-many thousands of dollars. The opportunities are out there. Maybe its not in IT. But the chance to make something of yourself is there. It sounds like you are more interested in making money now, not making something of yourself for the future. There is a BIG difference.