[ConfusedInTX]

I am really torn as to whether or not I should move to Las Vegas.

I am a 23 year old single male college graduate currently living in Dallas, with a degree in Broadcast Journalism(sports emphasis). Journalism is a really bad market these days and I make twice as much money doing a valet job in a wealthy area of Dallas than I would in an entry level journalism job, which is why I still do valet full time.

I have been with this valet company for 6 years, but unfortunately my valet company lost the contract with the area I valet at, so I can no longer valet at that place. And though the company has other contracts in the area, none of them are as lucrative as the place I was at, when it comes to money.

One option the company gave me was to transfer to another state, and I inquired about transferring to the Las Vegas district because I know the valets there do better on average than other cities. They agreed to transfer me there, but the catch is A.) I have to get a Nevada's drivers license first, which means I must establish residency, and B) I would not have a guaranteed position, but the moment an opening was created I would be first the one to fill the position. The property I would work at is a non-casino hotel near the strip.

I want to make the move, but it could be a month or two before I start working. At least a month, since thats how long I have to be there in order to get a license. And then I have to wait for an opening. Could be an opening right away, could be an opening in 2 months, 6 months. Who knows. I have $5000 saved up, so I have money to live on as I wait.

I only know 2 people who have lived there, one guy says I should move and have nothing to worry about; the other guy is saying that I shouldn't do it as it will be really difficult if I can't get a job right away and the economy is so bad that people are always worried about losing their jobs even if they have one. Not sure who to listen to. I am not a big spender, I am not into alcohol or strip clubs or gambling or any of that. I would be really tight with my money. One thing the guy who says I should move says is the fact I have a degree and am from Texas helps out my prospects because the hotels/casinos like to hire people from Texas as opposed to the coasts because people from the Midwest work harder.

I guess the only questions I have are

1. Would I be able to find another job within a month or two as I wait for my valet job to open up, or incase the valet job I am going out there for doesn't work out? I would really like to have some sort of income as I wait, and a failsafe for the valet job. I don't care if its $8-$10 an hour, I just want some income and not to be living completely out of my savings. I hear the job market is still bad out in Las Vegas so that is worrying me. This is the biggest thing. If I think I have a good chance of landing some kind of job within a month, I will gladly move out there without hesitation.

2. Is this worth the move? I hear working at a Las Vegas hotel in a front of house position is invaluable when it comes to experience and such and the opporitunities to "move up" and meet contacts is a good investment.

Right now I am leaning towards moving out there for 3-4 months and "trying out/experimenting" Las Vegas, seeing how things go, and setting aside $1000-1500 "bailout" money in case it doesn't work out. But at the same time, I don't want to move out there and fail and just waste the money I have saved up on a lost cause that probably won't succeed.

Thanks for your help,
-Gregory

[newopty]

A few questions for you. Do you want to eventually get into journalism. If so, does Las Vegas have the kind of journalism jobs you would be seeking?

[soccerscotty21]

I wouldn't recommend Vegas if your job isn't an absolute surety. From what I can tell, it is one of the more difficult places to get back on your feet should anything happen and the possible job falls through. Maybe try going to a place where sports broadcasting/journalism is more prevalent? As I am sure you are aware, Vegas does not have any professional sports teams, so the sports journalism market is probably more dead in Vegas than anywhere else. You could try somewhere that has a lot of higher end hotels (for the valet stuff) and also has a lot of sports going on, such as Miami, Orlando, LA, San Francisco, Atlanta, New York, etc. Good luck to you!

[yellowsnow]

We don't have professional sports teams here so your journalism degree is probably more worthless than in some of the rest of the country. My SO is an experienced journalist/broadcaster and he hasn't worked officially in his field for years.

The place you work now is really saying you can't transfer. They want you to move here and wait for something to open up. Do you have any connections? Does your bosses boss know the person in charge of valet here? Use it if you have it! Most who break into the really good valet jobs have juice. If you can get some good new on the job front, do it! Everyone should live someplace like Vegas at least once in their life. You're young and single, why not?

Do you have friends or relatives here? If you do, stay with them till you know what's up with the job. Then get your own place. Don't sign a lease if you aren't sure you are staying.

Many of those type jobs start out on the Extra Board. In other words, you check every day to see if you get any hours and you work whenever they say you can. If you do a good job, you will eventually get regular hours. You never know when they will want you to work so it's tough to try to get another job.

Next, I believe you are wrong about the Drivers License but I'm sure some of the experts will come along soon. *I* think you have 30 days to GET a license. You don't have to wait 30 days. I think all you need is an address and perhaps some kind of bill that was mailed to that address. Look it up on the DMV website. If your job hinges on having that license, know for sure!

Flights from DFW to Las are pretty cheap. Under $300. Why not fly out for a week and check it out in person. Go to your hotel and talk to people. Find out for sure. Check out other possible places to work too. Much better to waste a few hundred dollars than 5K.

[anvilpw]

I'm not in broadcast journalism but have known a few people that have done it and the common thread is that they have to go where the job is, wherever that may be. In short, they apply everywhere and go to where they get a job and then gain experience while trying to move up to the next market. If that is Vegas, so be it.

[Caltovegas]

Your 23 single with no kids. Check craigslist for security job openings. I think in Nev. you have to get a license but as I said the time to take chances in life is now while your young without the ball and chains of a family.

[MSchu]

if you are going to do it at all OP, now is the time. Vegas is great for a young buck... you'll find friends fairly quickly.
one word of advice, don't fall into the degen party pal scene, stay focused and have fun in a controlled manner.