can't find a job (Milwaukee, Buffalo: environment, travel, salary)

[JS20000]

Salary is in accord with work experience (I do not know how long you've been out of school or how many places you've worked). No offense to you-if it applies-but a lot of young individuals fresh out of college want too much too soon and are easily frustrated as a result (which leads me to question their true intent for choosing their profession). When I first graduated from college and started work in my profession, it was head and shoulders in pay above the warehouse job I had at Circuit City so I did not complain about it.
I know IT/network engineers can make up to $100k+ salaries (the key phrase here is up to: a lot of salary reports do not indicate statistical data as far as how the salaries were averaged, how many samples were taken, and what markets were included (New York, California, Boston, etc. are highly expensive markets that are purposely included in salary surveys to mislead job seekers and young students choosing a major)). I worked with an engineer in my discipline at a previous employer that wanted to work in the IT department because it was his chief interest; he took a pay cut to work in as an IT engineer and he was more senior than me (15+years work experience). I am in no way trying to disappoint you but I've seen the scenario one too many times.
I remember that I had a 12 month unemployment run and I was forced to deliver pizzas and work as a security guard (both were $5.50/hr with no overtime) because I was too overqualified for anything else. I persisted with my job search and I landed a position in my field after being out of work for a year-the pay was a lot less than my true worth but I had no choice at that moment-I had $9 in my bank account when I was hired. Just be patient; the job search is a job in itself.

[Jayvee_1]

My 2 cents:
Wisconsin as a state drives business out. I don't know why or how, but it does. I've lived here for almost 10 years and the decline is obvious. Your mention of local colleges being a breeding ground for Chicago and Minneapolis is a 2 fold problem. 1. There aren't good jobs here. 2. Good people follow good jobs. See #1. It's a cycle. Add to the fact that there are jobs, but they are probably not anywhere near where you live, and you have to move. If you're going to move, why not move someplace more conducive to better job prospects; ie....Chicago, Minneapolis,.....Cleveland.....Miami.......Dallas. ......any other state but Wisconsin. It's nice here. However, until the state and local governments are willing to help bring good companies here, the problem will persist.

That's my 2 cents.

jayvee.

[B.H81]

Well, I found a job, just not in Milwaukee. The closest I got was Minneapolis that was gonna pay a salary that I feel I was worth. I'ma try milwaukee again in 2 years, see if things got better.

[erasure]

Originally Posted by Jayvee_1

My 2 cents:
Wisconsin as a state drives business out. I don't know why or how, but it does. I've lived here for almost 10 years and the decline is obvious. Your mention of local colleges being a breeding ground for Chicago and Minneapolis is a 2 fold problem. 1. There aren't good jobs here. 2. Good people follow good jobs. See #1. It's a cycle. Add to the fact that there are jobs, but they are probably not anywhere near where you live, and you have to move. If you're going to move, why not move someplace more conducive to better job prospects; ie....Chicago, Minneapolis,.....Cleveland.....Miami.......Dallas. ......any other state but Wisconsin. It's nice here. However, until the state and local governments are willing to help bring good companies here, the problem will persist.

That's my 2 cents.

jayvee.

See, one of the locals told me here that the main reason why Wisconsin as a state drives business out ( or rather why it isn't too inviting to the new business trying to move into state,) is because the state government? refuses to give the tax break to the newcomers. Not sure whether it's true or not.

[Jayvee_1]

Thanks, but, I don't consider myself a "Local". I'm a transplant, from Chicago, by way of back East. I moved here from Chicago because I just could not stand the traffic. It's true I have to drive about 1/2 hour (plus) to work everyday, but it's along wide tree lined streets with little to no other cars. It's true old man winter takes his toll every year, but the people here are really nice and the salary is good. Included in this are the close proximity to a reasonable metro area [Milwaukee] and you have a very hard place to leave. Schools are okay. I think it's parental involvement that makes the big difference. Taxes are REALLY high compared to other areas of the country, like Minnesota or Illinois. But, it's easy to become "comfortable" here. I just wish businesses would move in here and not out. Since I've lived here, there have been 3 major companies that have moved out. I can't remember who they are, I just know all I hear about companies is that they are cutting back, or leaving all together. I don't know if you can blame that on Wisconsin, NAFTA, China or all of the above.

Good luck.

[MKE-Ed]

Originally Posted by Jayvee_1

Thanks, but, I don't consider myself a "Local". I'm a transplant, from Chicago, by way of back East. I moved here from Chicago because I just could not stand the traffic. It's true I have to drive about 1/2 hour (plus) to work everyday, but it's along wide tree lined streets with little to no other cars. It's true old man winter takes his toll every year, but the people here are really nice and the salary is good. Included in this are the close proximity to a reasonable metro area [Milwaukee] and you have a very hard place to leave. Schools are okay. I think it's parental involvement that makes the big difference. Taxes are REALLY high compared to other areas of the country, like Minnesota or Illinois. But, it's easy to become "comfortable" here. I just wish businesses would move in here and not out. Since I've lived here, there have been 3 major companies that have moved out. I can't remember who they are, I just know all I hear about companies is that they are cutting back, or leaving all together. I don't know if you can blame that on Wisconsin, NAFTA, China or all of the above.

Good luck.

Milwaukee does next to nothing when it comes to recruiting companies and industry here. Then they wonder why there is a brain drain to other states. The city does have potential to really grow, but it's not going to happen with the current political leadership in the city. The city council and Mayor are clueless when it comes to job creation. Recently, I looked up a bunch of friends of mine that I went to school with at UWM. Guess what, most of them have left Wisconsin for better job opportunities elswhere. The majoity of them moved to Chicago and Minneapolis. I can't say I blame them.

[Angelina01]

Wherever you go, you are asked about the experience first then about your qualifications. This is the scene that we all are familiar with. But, nobody thinks about the freshers.Where will freshers start their career from? Well ! that's a serious matter, as I myself is passing through the same condition.
Angelina01
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[JS20000]

Wherever you go, you are asked about the experience first then about your qualifications.

Further proof that education is a racket.

[tj7run]

Originally Posted by JS20000

Further proof that education is a racket.

Education is never a racket if you are willing to go the extra mile to get what you want. You have to be willing to relocate possibly several times before landing the perfect job and location.

A lot of young college grads are not willing to move away from family, so they get frustrated when they can't find a job that pays more than $8.00 and hour. Right, the economy is not good right now, but it has been worse.

You are all right though. I do not see the industry in the midwest that is on the coastal states. Before you give up, try looking into Portland, OR. or Seattle, WA. Great opprotunities if you really to work for it.

[radraja]

Honestly, I don't think MKE wants to change.

People here, for the most part, seem to enjoy the provincial nature of things. They like that WI is a state full of natives. It's almost like a pride thing.