[jmb8283]

Hey all, I'm a 24 year old college student who is seriously considering moving to Las Vegas next year after I finish my associates degree. I want to go to UNLV to get a bachelor's in Finance. I'm wondering what jobs are like for college students and how it would be possible to work and pay for apartment and car and everything else, and go to school at the same time. What are the jobs in Finance like out there In Las Vegas. I have to get away from PA, i'm so sick of everything here and I absolutely love it in Las Vegas and have wanted to move there for a few years now. Any tips on what would make the move easier? Anything you guys can tell me would be awesome!!!!

[BobKovacs]

You're kinda in a catch 22 to some degree- with just an associates degree, your earning potential is going to be somewhat limited, so it's going to be tough to cover rent, a car, etc., as well as school. You'll also likely either have to work nights (which may even further limit your options) or go to school at night, which gets tiring.

Las Vegas isn't really a big "finance" town like NYC or even Charlotte or Atlanta, so you may have a really tough time. Not to discourage you, but does it have to be UNLV? I know you really want to get out of PA (and I can't blame you), but there are better finance/business programs at other colleges, in cities with better opportunities once you get out of college.

[LIS123]

I agree with the previous post. The Finance industry is VERY competitive. Hiring should be pretty soft in the near future, in light of the subprime meltdown and credit crunch. As mentioned, Vegas has no presence in the Finance arena and neither does UNLV. I would like for cities like NYC, Chicago, SF, Charlotte, Boston, LA and Atlanta. The previous poster was also correct in indicating that an Associate's Degree limits your options. If you're set on the Financial Services field, moving to Vegas would be a bad idea. Good luck to you!

[jmb8283]

Hey, thanks for the input. I'm not totally set on Finance, I just thought it would be a good option. What are some of the good areas to get a degree in while at UNLV? I know hotel management is the best, I guess i should speak to a counselor at the school. I just want something different and like I said I love it in Las Vegas, i've been there a few times. Any tips other than the ones you guys gave me for moving out there? I won't be moving until the end of next year because I want to save up some money just in case I can't find a job right of the bat.

[BobKovacs]

Originally Posted by jmb8283

Hey, thanks for the input. I'm not totally set on Finance, I just thought it would be a good option. What are some of the good areas to get a degree in while at UNLV? I know hotel management is the best, I guess i should speak to a counselor at the school. I just want something different and like I said I love it in Las Vegas, i've been there a few times. Any tips other than the ones you guys gave me for moving out there? I won't be moving until the end of next year because I want to save up some money just in case I can't find a job right of the bat.

Yes- spend a few weeks there checking out the actual areas that aren't tourist-driven. There's a big difference between living in Las Vegas and "visiting there a few times". Not saying that living in Vegas is a bad idea, but it's not the same as being on vacation there- especially when it's 110+ in the summer.

Regarding UNLV, yes, the tourism/gaming/hotel management programs are the ones that are considered to be very good- the rest of the school is just an average state college just like you'll find in most states.

[jmb8283]

So then it can't be too much different than Penn State University than. I spent a month in Arizona with my dad a few years ago during July and I loved the weather and the whole desert atmosphere. I know they're different areas, but I know that the weather shouldn't be an issue.

[olecapt]

While I certainly agree it is not the place for a conventional finance career the hotel management/finance tie will work just fine.

It would also be a pretty good town for working your way through school. The ability to find off hour employment compatible with a school schedule is as good as anywhere.

Not as good as a Wharton MBA...but not a bad start.

110 is quite rare. 105 at the rational high. And not terribly uncomfortable.

[jfkIII]

sounds like OP has already made up his/her mind. Most of the negatives presented were dismissed rather quickly.

[jmb8283]

Hey I haven't made up my mind completely, it's just something i've been thinking about for quite a while now. Me and my fiancee just split, there are no good jobs up here in PA and I am just looking for a change and a new start. I know there are positives and negatives no matter where you live, i'm just trying to weigh my options and come to a good decision. Im also very sick of the cold weather up here in the northeast. So I was just getting some tips from people that actually live there. So my mind hasn't been made up yet, but it's definately close. I plan on bringing out about 15K with me just to get started before I actually find a job. I currently do sales for AT&T so I was going to look into transferring which would really be a help. Thanks for everyones posts so far...

[jfkIII]

I occasionally post in the Long Island forum (LI is where I grew up). One of the most sensible posts I have ever read is quoted below. While it specifically mentions Long Island, it really pertains to any other place that someone might want to relocate from and to. There is so much sense in this quoted post:

Originally Posted by LauraC

Moving is refreshing when you tie it to another life changing decision (retirement, getting married, getting divorced, new job, etc.). It's that whole new life, adventure, chance to re-invent yourself, starting over, learn new things, meet new people kind of thing that in my opinion is good for you...if you choose your new location wisely.

In my opinion bad moves are made by people who are fleeing some intolerable condition (traffic, taxes, overcrowding, cost of living, etc.) because they tend not to do good research on whether the new place is right for them but focus too much on whether it has the anti-intolerable condition. In other words, just wanting to get off Long Island isn't good enough...the new place should have something to offer you besides escape.

PS...I escaped from LI to PA. Lived there for 3 years before coming to grips with the fact that I just lived there because I 'escaped' LI. I was miserable there. Did the 'due diligence" research for the next place that I wanted to live (not escape to) and have loved my decision since 1992.

Good luck...and do the right research...otherwise, the escape part can catch up on you.