In five words or less, how would you rate Pittsburgh's job market? (train, careers)

[likepgh]

Originally Posted by Humanoid

I'm not talking about Faculty jobs (which I explicitly excluded in my statement), rather research positions. Most of these positions are filled within the university, even when they post a job listing for them they are more often than not given to "insiders". But I would say most research jobs at universities never get listed in the first place. Rather they are given to a graduate student that is already familiar with the work. Also, the salaries aren't particularly good.

Ok, I thought you were talking about research scientist/primary investigator positions which are really faculty positions; I see your point about research assistant/associate positions. I still think Pitt (itself and through UPMC) and CMU generate a good number of faculty/research scientist/PI positions which are relatively well paid.

Originally Posted by Humanoid

This is one area where I think states like California get it right, in California you can get a 4-year degree for only $8,000. When I moved to Pittsburgh one of the things I found so odd was all the smallish private colleges that existed, the landscape is much different than in a state that has affordable post-secondary education (and yes I'm talking about university/college).

I think this is one way in which the Northeast differs from the Mid-west, West, and South. Lots of private universities and colleges; expensive public universities; and less of a sense of pride and "ownership" of the flagships. PA is even stranger because of the quasi-private status of Pitt, Penn State, Temple (state-related, not state-owned). But in that respect, Pittsburgh is in the same boat as Philadelphia (of course); New Jersey, NYC, Boston, DC.

Originally Posted by Humanoid

All I know is that I would pick Pittsburgh over Scottsdale (or anywhere in Arizona for that matter) any day of the week.

I knew we would find something to agree on at some point!

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by likepgh

Ok, I thought you were talking about research scientist/primary investigator positions which are really faculty positions; I see your point about research assistant/associate positions. I still think Pitt (itself and through UPMC) and CMU generate a good number of faculty/research scientist/PI positions which are relatively well paid.

I think this is one way in which the Northeast differs from the Mid-west, West, and South. Lots of private universities and colleges; expensive public universities; and less of a sense of pride and "ownership" of the flagships. PA is even stranger because of the quasi-private status of Pitt, Penn State, Temple (state-related, not state-owned). But in that respect, Pittsburgh is in the same boat as Philadelphia (of course); New Jersey, NYC, Boston, DC.

As long as we are off-topic anyway, I will add my 2c worth that it is mainly in the mountain west that there are few private colleges. The midwest has many little religious colleges; Cali and the rest of the west coast have many private colleges as well. The south, too, has a number of private colleges and univesities such as Vanderbilt, Duke, etc.

[Humanoid]

Cali and the rest of the west coast have many private colleges as well.

The west coast has a number of private colleges, but they also have a rather good public school system too. In California there are 10 University of California's, which are all relatively good. And there are 23 Cal-states, which range from so-so too good. The vast majority of California residents go to public schools, where as the private schools largely attract out of state and international students. Similar things can be said about other Western states.

[londonbarcelona]

Originally Posted by Katiana

As long as we are off-topic anyway, I will add my 2c worth that it is mainly in the mountain west that there are few private colleges. The midwest has many little religious colleges; Cali and the rest of the west coast have many private colleges as well. The south, too, has a number of private colleges and univesities such as Vanderbilt, Duke, etc.

And Miami! Go Canes! LOL

[londonbarcelona]

Originally Posted by Humanoid

The west coast has a number of private colleges, but they also have a rather good public school system too. In California there are 10 University of California's, which are all relatively good. And there are 23 Cal-states, which range from so-so too good. The vast majority of California residents go to public schools, where as the private schools largely attract out of state and international students. Similar things can be said about other Western states.

That's true about California. My sister moved there to raise her daughter because of the vast educational opportunities. However, she has stated that "some" of the schools (like UC Santa Cruz, etc.) are not as good they used to be. I know the elementary, middle and high school systems have been beaten up like the Arizona school systems have too, because of the heavy influx of illegal immigrants. My daughter wanted USC or Berkley more than anything, but I insisted on an east coast college (after what we've been through, there was no way I was leaving her on the opposite coast) and she chose University of Miami. Go Canes!

[pghkid54]

Nonexistent

[creepsinc]

Originally Posted by pghkid54

Nonexistent

Not true.

[welder]

If you're employed and making good money, it's great. If you ain't, it sucks.

[lifepgh2op]

hey at least we know people WANT to live here when they complain about the job situations. Why else would they be trying to get jobs here?

[creepsinc]

Originally Posted by welder

If you're employed and making good money, it's great. If you ain't, it sucks.

Which is true everywhere. The secret to getting a job these days is to go through a temp agency. Chances are, if you do your job well, you'll get hired permanently. It works for all types of careers too, not just entry-level data entry type stuff.