Job Advice, please! (Raleigh, Star, McDonald: apartment, rental, mortgage) - The Triangle Area - City-Data Forum

sowk09 · 01-30-2009, 03:34 PM

So I'm moving to Raleigh in May.... without a job unless I secure one in the next few months, which is my hope.

I know many of you will think this is a horrible idea, and I respect that, but I am young (i.e. no spouse or family I need to take care of), won't have a mortgage (and actually really good rent) and have savings that will help me for at least 6 mo.

I'll have my master's of social work but obviously those jobs are few and far between all over.

My question is this: are there enough part time jobs open there that it's feasible for me to move and just work 2 part time jobs until I secure a job using my degree? Of course this isn't preferrable, but I know this is the area I want to be and I can live off about $1k a month as long as I have to. I just want to make sure places like grocery stores, book stores, other run-of-the-mill hourly jobs are still hiring.

DanielleNC · 01-30-2009, 03:43 PM

There are lots of part-time jobs available right now. You just can't be picky and there's no telling what it will be like when you get down here. For example, I was going to apply to Starbucks for a second job since they have part-time benefits. But they just announced closing 300 stores and laying off 7,000 employees. I use to work at Bombay Company and they went out of business. Before that I worked at Pier 1 and our store closed. Linen's N'Things just went out of business and now Circuit City is too. All these people will be trying to find the same jobs and as the economy worsens more stores will close and more people will be looking for jobs with fewer openings. Just don't be picky and have lots of saving before you come down!

justusbarkers · 01-30-2009, 03:56 PM

Orange county has several openings for people with degrees in social work. You can see their website here: Orange County Current Openings (http://www.co.orange.nc.us/prsnl/openings.htm - broken link)

lovebrentwood · 01-30-2009, 04:34 PM

I think many people here agree with this advice: "Don't move to NC unless you already have a job lined up."

It's bad, and it's getting worse.

Even if there are a "lot" of jobs available, the competition for those jobs is great unless it's something in the medical field or teaching.

rbcp · 01-30-2009, 05:57 PM

you will have no problem finding a job in your field, and there will be plenty of part time work available as needed.

Come on down!

Babytarheelz · 01-30-2009, 07:33 PM

Something to note about getting an apartment....most won't qualify you without a job making 3 times the market rental amount. With the job market the way it is right now, communities are being very strict about this rule.

As far as part time jobs, while I'm sure there are some out there, they sure don't seem to be as abundant as they once were. My neighbor's 18 year old brother just moved down here and has been trying to find one for a couple of months. No luck. Even our local McDonald's is having a hiring freeze. Ouch!

Good luck whatever you decide to do!

castufari · 01-31-2009, 07:31 AM

There might be some social work jobs around, the state had a few openings recently but I think that even those will be frozen. The master's probably won't help, all of the social workers I work with have them - and certification (you'll need that to work for some places here - consider getting it!).

With so many retail places closing I'd be very very careful. Medical fields were hiring some but even they're starting to slow down now.

sowk09 · 01-31-2009, 09:44 AM

@ babytarheelz- I'll be using my dad as a cosigner bc you're right, otherwise I wouldn't be able to find an apt.

Thanks for all the advice.... I've got some major thinking to do. The reason I'm leaning towards going on ahead and coming is because there are even less jobs where I'm at now and my lease is up at the end of May when I graduate. Thanks again!

Francois · 01-31-2009, 09:49 AM

Usually there are lots of jobs with the various county socail services programs, but ALL government jobs are frozen (and being cut) right now.

Moving in May will put you in direct competition with all of the other newly-minted grads; probably the worst time of year to look for a job in any field. I would suggest looking for somewhere you'll find work FIRST, not just picking a city and "hoping" there will be something for you.

DJKB · 01-31-2009, 11:59 AM

I would come. There's still jobs available here and you def. could get something!!! Daycares are ALWAYS hiring.