Entry Level Job Market (Atlanta, Boston: living, moving, housing)

[Flamedown]

I have seen many threads in here warning people not to move to Atlanta without a job lined up or having two years of savings. Is that still the case?

I am wondering in particular how the job market in Atlanta is for someone who has just graduated with a BA and is looking for anything entry level that calls for some sort of BA? I have my BA in Geography with some GIS skills and many years of customer service experience. Atlanta is one of three potential places to move to that I am looking at, and I was wondering how my prospects would be if I was to move there for six months and try to find a job.

[GeorgiatoChina]

I don't even think Atlanta or anywhere on the east coast is a good place for that field. I'd try Texas and the Midwest specifically for your skills.

[tikigod311]

Good luck.

Without any connections, you will have a tough time.

Jealous of those GIS skills. I have looked into those type of jobs, most require experience working with SQL. I don't recall seeing a whole lot of acticity for entry level folks in the area.

Come to think of it, check out CH2M HILL.

[Flamedown]

Thanks y'all, it does not sound too promising in Atlanta, so it sounds like it would be too risky to try living there for six months.

To the person who left reputation asking what other cities I have looked at. The main one I have been looking at is Chicago, which is still my top choice, but I am not convinced of my chances with the job market there. I have also thought about D.C., but housing is too expensive for my tastes, and Houston which I am starting to consider more now because of its better job market. Boston does not interest me, and my other top East Coast city after D.C. would be Philadelphia, but for some reason I just have never been interested in it enough.

[Determined2]

Try the US Federal Gov jobs, the Dept of Homeland Securtiy has an office in Atlanta. There is no such thing as entry level anymore. Good luck.

[berkeleylake]

I don't know about those types of jobs in Atlanta, but if you want to find something entry level in Atlanta, it is possible and the work could totally be unrelated to your background. The job market here is hard for some to tap into from far away. I guess your approach should be is to apply to as much as you can and see if you get interviews.

I would only move elsewhere if I get a job offer and not risk moving and then not finding something after you depleted your funds.

[Atlanta_BD]

Originally Posted by Flamedown

I have seen many threads in here warning people not to move to Atlanta without a job lined up or having two years of savings. Is that still the case?

I am wondering in particular how the job market in Atlanta is for someone who has just graduated with a BA and is looking for anything entry level that calls for some sort of BA? I have my BA in Geography with some GIS skills and many years of customer service experience. Atlanta is one of three potential places to move to that I am looking at, and I was wondering how my prospects would be if I was to move there for six months and try to find a job.

Metro Atlanta Unemployment Rate Rises | WABE 90.1 FM

[marigolds6]

Originally Posted by tikigod311

Good luck.

Without any connections, you will have a tough time.

Jealous of those GIS skills. I have looked into those type of jobs, most require experience working with SQL. I don't recall seeing a whole lot of acticity for entry level folks in the area.

Come to think of it, check out CH2M HILL.

CH2M Hill no longer has a GIS division. They spun off that part and sold it to Critigen.
GIS Consulting & Solutions and Managed IT Services | Critigen
Current Employment Opportunities - Critigen

CDC hires tons of GIS people though.