Out of State Job Hunting Questions (Chicago, Lincoln: how much, headhunters, hotels)

[AceM]

Hello,

I am a 22 year old recent grad from Ohio State. I have a BA in Journalism. I have a friend going to Loyola for grad school in the fall and since I am dying to get back into a city environment and I loved Chicago when I visited it, I am thinking of moving there with her.

She is planning to move in June but I have a family friend I could most likely live with if I found a position sooner.

But I cannot just move there now since I have zero money saved and only have found part-time retail work down here in SW Florida.

I am just wanting to see if anyone has any advice for job hunting from out of state (way out of state).

Any great Career Fairs, Recruiters/Headhunters, companies hiring?

I am thinking of getting a plane ticket to attend a women for hire.com career fair, does anyone know if this is a good career fair?

I am wanting to be in printing/publishing but am looking into many different industries just to gain some valuable work history other than waitress and retail.

I would ideally like something in an office situation. Mostly as maybe an administrative assistant or entry-level consultant.

I am interested in many things.

Travel/Tourism (hotels), Architecture, Design, Book Publishing, Business.

Basically just a place to start out in and maybe grow with.

I am very entry-level but do have a degree and good communication and computer skills.

Any tips anyone can give me would be great.

And I don't really know the areas of Chicago well but I know my friend is thinking of finding a place near Loyola maybe in the Lincoln Park area. And if that is no where near Lincoln Park then she has no idea what she is saying about Chicago areas either.


But I am not scared of a commute, I already drive 45 - 60 minutes for my job here.

Thanks in advance posters.

[Avengerfire]

I do not mean to be rude,but for one of us (or all of us collectively) to answer everything you asked and set up a blueprint for your success,you might need to take us all out to dinner or pay us.:-)

[AceM]

I don't know how that is. I was giving background info and just wondering if anyone in any of those industries knew any good leads.

I did not ask anything beyond that.

Sorry if my wordiness confused you.

[dragoro]

You can always try craigslist.

[aragx6]

I have a bachelors in journalism too (though at the University of Missouri they call it a BJ... dirty!) and moved her only recently myself. I was able to find a job before moving up there, but I don't know how much help I can be, because I feel like my opportunity was pure luck.

All I can say is (esp. if you don't mind an admin. assistant job) look around at Websites of any company you can find in Chicago. Essentially that's what I did.


Oh and Loyola isn't really that near Lincoln Park, though you could definitely live there and commute. Rents are a bit cheaper and you'll be closer to Loyola (though farther from the loop) if you live in an area like Lakeview.

I have no idea if that was helpful at all...