Is there a need in the area for people with Bachelor's or master's degrees? (Phoenix: how much, employment)

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

From some of the threads I have determined that many people are unhappy with the income level that employers offer in the valley. Is this limited to those that do not have a college degree? What about a trade? Can a locksmith or plumber make a decent living in the area? Many cost of living calculators show that the Phoenix area is still lower than where I live.(Southern California.) That is great but will I have a job that pays the bills. Another story that I read listed Phoenix as 3rd in the nation for employment opportunities.Arew they talking at Sonic, or for a company that builds supersonic jets? Some of the people that I know tell me that if you have a degree you should do fine in the Phoenix area. If you have a Masters degree you will do great. I have a Bachelors in Business management and I will soon have my MBA. Is it all hype? or is there an opportunity in the area for someone with an advanced education? I am currently looking for a job in the area that matches my skill level and educational level.

[eddiek]

Being realistic, there are some careers for which a master's of higher is probably warranted. Additionally, there are many careers out there which are well suited for technical education, not necessarily upper level.

Dennis Prager, a well known radio show host and lecturer, has stated many times that "the longer a person stays in school, the more stupid they become." I think a lot of truth is said in that statement.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by SOON2BNSURPRISE

From some of the threads I have determined that many people are unhappy with the income level that employers offer in the valley. Is this limited to those that do not have a college degree? What about a trade? Can a locksmith or plumber make a decent living in the area? Many cost of living calculators show that the Phoenix area is still lower than where I live.(Southern California.) That is great but will I have a job that pays the bills. Another story that I read listed Phoenix as 3rd in the nation for employment opportunities.Arew they talking at Sonic, or for a company that builds supersonic jets? Some of the people that I know tell me that if you have a degree you should do fine in the Phoenix area. If you have a Masters degree you will do great. I have a Bachelors in Business management and I will soon have my MBA. Is it all hype? or is there an opportunity in the area for someone with an advanced education? I am currently looking for a job in the area that matches my skill level and educational level.

I think Phoenix has endless opportunity but how much are you looking to make right off the bat?

[sablebaby]

It just depends what field you are in. Some make lots of money while others don't. Many people make lots of money without a degree (independent trade work). Lots of people go into business for themselves. I know people without a degree making $20 something an hour. I have a master's degree and I can barely make that.

I do think more and more uneducated people are moving here to the "wild west". Our young adults who work our smaller jobs are some of the dumbest people I've spoken to. We rank (last time I checked) the highest in the nation for HS dropouts. Hard to believe I know.

[ibarrio]

We seem to be doing much better here financially then we were in So Cal. My wife and I should make about 84K together this year. In Cali we made near 100K together.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by ibarrio

We seem to be doing much better here financially then we were in So Cal. My wife and I should make about 84K together this year. In Cali we made near 100K together.

My husband and I grossed a little over 100,000 together in Phx, neither of us have a degree.

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

Originally Posted by sheena

I think Phoenix has endless opportunity but how much are you looking to make right off the bat?

I am looking at job opportunities in the area that start out in the $75,000 range and up to the $120,000 range. Today has been a great day for me personally. Found lots of jobs in the range that I am happy with that I qualify for. Now its selling myself to the employer. My belief is that luck occurs when opportunity meets preperation. For a while there I was a little discouraged from reading the threads within this forum. I was begining think that everyone in the valley is making $15 or less an hour. For one I haven't seen those kind of numbers in over a decade and two my education and background is sought after by employers in the area. I gess the real question is are there employers that pay a decent wage in the Phoenix area. Today it loks as if I have found that there are a lot of employers that do in fact pay those kind of numbers, if you have the background that they are looking for. The fact is that I see the area as a great place to work and live.

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

[quote=sablebaby;2029962]It just depends what field you are in. Some make lots of money while others don't. Many people make lots of money without a degree (independent trade work). Lots of people go into business for themselves. I know people without a degree making $20 something an hour. I have a master's degree and I can barely make that.

Guess it does depend in what field that you are in. I would be open to operating a business of my own after we are established in the area. Especially after hearing they will be putting in an office park in the west side near the "new mall, auto park, and housing development", that will be built in a couple of years. Give me a few years to get tired of the commute to where ever I may be working in the valley.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by SOON2BNSURPRISE

I am looking at job opportunities in the area that start out in the $75,000 range and up to the $120,000 range. Today has been a great day for me personally. Found lots of jobs in the range that I am happy with that I qualify for. Now its selling myself to the employer. My belief is that luck occurs when opportunity meets preperation. For a while there I was a little discouraged from reading the threads within this forum. I was begining think that everyone in the valley is making $15 or less an hour. For one I haven't seen those kind of numbers in over a decade and two my education and background is sought after by employers in the area. I gess the real question is are there employers that pay a decent wage in the Phoenix area. Today it loks as if I have found that there are a lot of employers that do in fact pay those kind of numbers, if you have the background that they are looking for. The fact is that I see the area as a great place to work and live.

I even make more than 15.00 an hour. I'm glad you are finding some good stuff out there.

[Valley Native]

College degrees certainly help your career ... but as was stated before, it all depends what career path you decide to follow. A college degree alone is no guarantee that you'll be promoted or receive a higher salary. I have found that in corporate America, a combination of college education, hard work, good people skills, and networking will better a person's chances of success.

One thing that many people seem to do here do which prevents them from achieving their career goals is hopping around from company to company after a year or two. That's a HUGE mistake! I think they do it with the glimmer of hope to receive slightly higher pay, only to be miserable in their new environment. Pick a company that has a good, stable record, good benefits, and decent wages and STAY THERE!!! Contrary to what you might read or hear, seniority helps you. Constantly switching workplaces is stressful, and doesn't look very good on your record.