San Diego for the Summer??? (Santa Barbara: construction, wages, restaurant)

[cillian]

Hi, I'm an irish student and was considering doing a j1 for the summer 2007 and have a few questions i'd grately appreciate some answers to.

1) Would it be very difficult to get a job in San Diego that would pay reasonably well? I did hear that during the summer, a load of Mexicans come over the border and are willing to work for low wages which is difficult to compete with.....is this true?

2) Knowing the states better than I do, (I've only travelled there once and that was when i was about 11) where do you think would be best for me and some mates to travel to and work for the summer? San Diego is one of the places we were discussing, but Myrtle Beach, Lake Michigan in chicago, Long Island and Santa Barbara have all come up in conversation. What do you think?

Thanks to any replies

[kettlepot]

Sounds to me like you and your friends are planning to work here illegally. Probably not many people on this board know how to do that, would recommend it, or can evaluate its risks and rewards. However, you are correct, millions of Mexicans and other Latin Americans, and thousands of others from elsewhere in the world are here doing just that. But generally the pay is low, or why else would employers take the risk of violating the law. Your best bet for information would be to ask other Irish who are working here illegally how they managed to do it, not American citizens who never face issues about working papers.

[cillian]

no, we aren't doing it illegally. we are heading over with a j1 visa to work. it allows us to work and travel there for about 6months, but we're going for the 3 summer months only

[kettlepot]

You haven't mentioned any particular skills you have so I'll assume you don't have any experience that is too specialized. The Mexicans do come over in droves. Generally they work in construction, agricultural, and restaurant work. Being that you speak English, you might try restaurant work where you have contact with the public, but I really don't know. Another option if you do have some particular skills is to sign up with a temporary work agency.

As for the locations you mentioned, I do know that Myrtle Beach is quite hot and humid. blech!. Long Island will be hot and humid too, but at least New York will be there for the experience. San Diego and Santa Barbara have the best summer climates. I'm not familiar with Chicago in the summer.