More advice - job market for writing/editing? (Houston, Dallas: neighborhoods, contractor)

[campbetc]

Hey, you were all so helpful on my post about neighborhoods to check out that I'd love to get advice about something else.

As I mentioned, we have an opportunity to move to Austin later in this year - my husband has been offered a stake in a family business, and it may be an amazing opportunity for him/us. But it would also mean my changing jobs, and I'm worried that I wouldn't be able to find one.

About me:

- Mid-30s, looking for a full-time job
- I have a dual undergrad degree in English/Communications from Boston College, and a master's degree in Journalism from Boston University
- I started my career as a writer at a trade magazine and loved it, but due to economic necessity, moved on to more marketing communications-type jobs. I've worked at two different universities doing things like recruiting marketing (university viewbooks, etc) and alumni magazines.
- I've spent the last six years working at a defense contractor, doing internal/employee communications. That includes reporting and writing on company news, running the intranet news center (so, maintaining the posting of the news as well as the writing and editing), and being assistant managing editor for the employee magazine (writing, editing, managing departments, assisting with the overall look and feel). I've also started to take on some scriptwriting for corporate videos and some communications campaigns, but I don't have much experience with those yet.

I would happily do any kind of work like this - I don't need a huge salary, but I don't think I could go back to a beginning writer's salary either. I'm hearing, though, that these kinds of jobs are highly competitive in Austin because of the UT grads. And I'm not seeing a whole lot on the job-search sites.

I would have some time to find a job after moving there, but I am afraid of getting stuck for years unable to find anything. Can anyone offer anecdotes, advice?

[centralaustinite]

Writing, editing, communication jobs in Austin tend to be highly competitive and under-compensated (relative to other areas).

There are a fair number of writing/editing/communication jobs in State government -- but they are hard to get. Pearson is here as well as 360 Training if you can write assessments but getting a full-time gig can be hard. There is definitely the type of work that you are looking for in Austin -- but it is absolute right to say that you need a strong network to get them and even at the highest levels, the pay will generally be less than what a comparable gig paid in the NE or even Dallas or Houston.

My best advice would be to come (and pay for) SXSW interactive in March, network your heart out! And you may find a job.

[campbetc]

Oh hmm. The company my husband would be taking a stake in is similar to 360 Training. It never even occurred to me that would be a possibility.

There's also a strong chance I could keep my current gig at least part time as a telecommuter; if this move happens, I was hoping to be able to do that while looking.

[hoffdano]

I think there is steady work in Austin for technical writers. But it would be important to have knowledge of the technical topic (e.g. networks, enterprise software, etc.).