Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I want people with life experience to tell me what they think of my expectations and how reasonable they sound in this economy.
First of all, I live in Canada. The dollar is close enough to parity that you don't have to go look what 30K CAD to USD is or anything. Also I would assume our economies operate in at least a relatively similar way.
I am a 22 year old male nearing the end of my 3 year university degree in Geography. I decided to do three years for now, but will deeply consider coming back to do equivelancy for the fourth year to write my thesis and graduate with honours. I am loading up on cartography and GIS courses as much as I can before I graduate as I hear that is where the jobs are for geog students.
I have a good 7 years working experience, never being out of a job for more than three months at most. These were all low-pay service industry jobs ($10-12/hr) but I'm just trying to be as specific as possible here for the sake of clarity.
I am willing to move to a larger city for work. Basically anywhere as long as it has good public transportation and things to do. So that's okay for pretty well any of Canada's capitals, and I would live abroad but mostly only in Western Europe.
I also speak a bit of Spanish, and I am well travelled if that helps in any way.
Given all of that, is it reasonable to expect a salary of around 30K annually (take homeish) by my mid to late twenties? Even if not necessarily in my field of study. When I talk to my peers, they have big ambitions and study medicine or law or physics and are expecting 70-90K jobs at some point. That isn't really my goal. I just want to work (ideally) some 35 hours a week, get several weeks off a year, live in a studio or 1 bedroom and just kind of do my own thing outside of work. I'm not sure how realistic that is in this economy. I am perfectly happy with what is obviously a low salary, I would just like to know if even that requires a more high-tech education or study focus.
You seem to be down to earth and have reasonable expectations. I'm sure you will do fine. I imagine you could make some good money with your skills out in the oil fields.
The salary itself isn't that unrealistic... but as a geography major, you're going to have it tough. Other than teacher, i don't know what a Geography Major would do. That may be why you struggle.
Realistic? Definitely, but I'm not sure it'll be easy.
In the small city where I live, GIS Specialist I starts at $36K and maxes out at $55K.
GIS Specialist II starts at $44K and maxes out at $62K.
It's a municipal gov't position.
In Nashville, just north of me, there is an opening for a GIS specialist (civil service) at $47K. Rents are very high there, though, so you would need to consider the whole cost of living wherever you want to be and not JUST a salary that "sounds" like enough.
I want people with life experience to tell me what they think of my expectations and how reasonable they sound in this economy.
First of all, I live in Canada. The dollar is close enough to parity that you don't have to go look what 30K CAD to USD is or anything. Also I would assume our economies operate in at least a relatively similar way.
I am a 22 year old male nearing the end of my 3 year university degree in Geography. I decided to do three years for now, but will deeply consider coming back to do equivelancy for the fourth year to write my thesis and graduate with honours. I am loading up on cartography and GIS courses as much as I can before I graduate as I hear that is where the jobs are for geog students.
I have a good 7 years working experience, never being out of a job for more than three months at most. These were all low-pay service industry jobs ($10-12/hr) but I'm just trying to be as specific as possible here for the sake of clarity.
I am willing to move to a larger city for work. Basically anywhere as long as it has good public transportation and things to do. So that's okay for pretty well any of Canada's capitals, and I would live abroad but mostly only in Western Europe.
I also speak a bit of Spanish, and I am well travelled if that helps in any way.
Given all of that, is it reasonable to expect a salary of around 30K annually (take homeish) by my mid to late twenties? Even if not necessarily in my field of study. When I talk to my peers, they have big ambitions and study medicine or law or physics and are expecting 70-90K jobs at some point. That isn't really my goal. I just want to work (ideally) some 35 hours a week, get several weeks off a year, live in a studio or 1 bedroom and just kind of do my own thing outside of work. I'm not sure how realistic that is in this economy. I am perfectly happy with what is obviously a low salary, I would just like to know if even that requires a more high-tech education or study focus.
Thanks!
Jesse
It's realistic in the US to expect 15/hr as a fresh grad yes. At my workplaces they pay 35-40K for entry level scientists. With a geography major, you'd be in the running.
As far as expecting a studio/1-bdrm for that amount? You could afford around $750 a month based on your hard income. A $750 studio around these parts would be a room, a bathroom, and a hot plate. I suggest roommates instead or living with your parents.
Most fresh grads I know live with their parents. It's impossible to live on your own and eliminate college debt.
In the small city where I live, GIS Specialist I starts at $36K and maxes out at $55K.
GIS Specialist II starts at $44K and maxes out at $62K.
It's a municipal gov't position.
In Nashville, just north of me, there is an opening for a GIS specialist (civil service) at $47K. Rents are very high there, though, so you would need to consider the whole cost of living wherever you want to be and not JUST a salary that "sounds" like enough.
Municipal government positions often get hundreds of applicants.
I've applied to several, several jobs at cities and municipalities all over the country.
They pay well, are 40 hours (if that) and are easy. That's where our tax dollars go.
Municipal government positions often get hundreds of applicants.
I've applied to several, several jobs at cities and municipalities all over the country.
They pay well, are 40 hours (if that) and are easy. That's where our tax dollars go.
Yes, tax dollars pay for government services. The jobs aren't always 40 hours OR easy. The other advantage is that many municipalities are trying to get on board with GIS mapping and the many things they can do with it, so they are hiring.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
