Professional Job Market in EP: Any Good News? (El Paso, Horizon City: school districts, universities)

[EnjoyEP]

**I am making a total of two (2) related posts separately here today. This is the second of two. (I thought with them being related, but touching on separate topics, it would be best to make them separately). ANY/ALL people that have resided, or currently reside, in El Paso (or nearby areas), that would have a chance to respond to this, it would be HEARTILY appreciated. Thanks in advance!**

At any event, this is my second question...

I am a 30-year old male with a wife, one 1.5-year old daughter and another child on the way. I have a college degree, a professional background in Business and Communications (I currently work for a community college in a staff position - earn a salary in the $41K range). (Admittedly, I am a gringo).

In my first post, I went into detail regarding why I have quite a bit of interest in relocating to El Paso (from Albuquerque), but much of it is related to the housing market, loving the weather, enjoying greatly the "vibe" and feel of the city and the locals, etc.

At any event, I think the one major obstacle between my family and I moving to El Paso being a dream to actual reality is a job.

I have heard horror stories regarding the market for jobs in El Paso. (Especially for a person of a business, marketing and communications background like me, rather than military or tech). Furthermore, I am not bilingual (despite desiring at some point to learn Spanish).

Is there any hope for me? Any positive, encouraging feedback would make me feel great!

In some aspects, my wife and I could be moved to El Paso or Horizon City within three months realistically, but the obstacle is the job. And the stigma (or reality?) of what I have heard is "good luck - there is nothing there."

I would have a great deal of interest in working for UTEP, EP Community College, or even NMSU/DACC (I do not mind commuting), but realize that I might need much more tenure as a staff member at my current college staff position to make myself lucrative to them.

If anyone can shed any positives for jobs, it would be heartily appreciated! However, if the job market for someone of my background is really that grim, I would appreciate the "dose of truth" as well. Then I suppose EP will just have to continue to be a vacation spot.

Thanks!

[NativeTXn]

I think you might have a good chance at landing a good career in the colleges and universities in this area. Our unemplyment rate is higher than other cities, last I checked it was at 6.5%, not the lowest rate and not the highest rate either. If you have a degree and some experience I think you won't have a hard time getting a good paying job in El Paso. Some jobs pay really low here, that is one bad side of El Paso, but there are also many decent to high paying jobs aswell. Being bi-lingual does help you get a job here..but it is not a necessity. The biggest areas for employment and the biggest need of employees in El Paso currently is the education systems and healthcare/nursing areas.

Here are some employment web pages to help you out and give you an idea of the positions available down here:
UTEP: http://www.utep.edu/employment/
El Paso Community College: http://www.epcc.edu/Hr/index.html (broken link)
NMSU: http://www.nmsu.edu/jobs.html
Texas Tech-El Paso also hires over a 1000 people to staff the school.
The El Paso area also has 9 public school districts which hire many people aswell.

Good luck.

[JazzOne]

Originally Posted by EnjoyEP

**I am making a total of two (2) related posts separately here today. This is the second of two. (I thought with them being related, but touching on separate topics, it would be best to make them separately). ANY/ALL people that have resided, or currently reside, in El Paso (or nearby areas), that would have a chance to respond to this, it would be HEARTILY appreciated. Thanks in advance!**

At any event, this is my second question...

I am a 30-year old male with a wife, one 1.5-year old daughter and another child on the way. I have a college degree, a professional background in Business and Communications (I currently work for a community college in a staff position - earn a salary in the $41K range). (Admittedly, I am a gringo).

In my first post, I went into detail regarding why I have quite a bit of interest in relocating to El Paso (from Albuquerque), but much of it is related to the housing market, loving the weather, enjoying greatly the "vibe" and feel of the city and the locals, etc.

At any event, I think the one major obstacle between my family and I moving to El Paso being a dream to actual reality is a job.

I have heard horror stories regarding the market for jobs in El Paso. (Especially for a person of a business, marketing and communications background like me, rather than military or tech). Furthermore, I am not bilingual (despite desiring at some point to learn Spanish).

Is there any hope for me? Any positive, encouraging feedback would make me feel great!

In some aspects, my wife and I could be moved to El Paso or Horizon City within three months realistically, but the obstacle is the job. And the stigma (or reality?) of what I have heard is "good luck - there is nothing there."

I would have a great deal of interest in working for UTEP, EP Community College, or even NMSU/DACC (I do not mind commuting), but realize that I might need much more tenure as a staff member at my current college staff position to make myself lucrative to them.

If anyone can shed any positives for jobs, it would be heartily appreciated! However, if the job market for someone of my background is really that grim, I would appreciate the "dose of truth" as well. Then I suppose EP will just have to continue to be a vacation spot.

Thanks!

Don't do it, man! There are no jobs in El Paso, especially if you don't speak Spanish. I don't know if you're still considering this. I hope I'm not too late. DON'T DO IT, BRAH!!!!!

[Gary Siete]

Originally Posted by JazzOne

Don't do it, man! There are no jobs in El Paso, especially if you don't speak Spanish. I don't know if you're still considering this. I hope I'm not too late. DON'T DO IT, BRAH!!!!!

You are 51 months too late. According to his last 2009 post the OP moved to Albuquerque.

[mistabinks]

Its never too late to once again try and tell everyone that you need to speak Spanish to get a job here. I mean, I dont, and i have a full time job and small business, butt still...its worth bumping 51 months old threads to voice your opinion.

[JazzOne]

Originally Posted by Gary Siete

You are 51 months too late. According to his last 2009 post the OP moved to Albuquerque.

Whew. Thank God I prevented that disaster.