Just got laid-off from Jackson-UM, leaving Miami? (Fort Lauderdale: middle-class, job market)

[Michael Di Meo]

As some of you probably know, Jackson has been laying off close to 1000 people this past month, and UM-Medical school has just started last week to lay off 1000 more people as well as a few hundred temps.

Well, I got my lay-off notice from Jackson on Monday. They will be doing some "re-hiring" back for a limited number of positions at lower salaries, but the amount of people who want those greatly exceeds the number of positions, so I was told by a couple of execs that it will be very difficult to get hired back.

So, I am thinking of leaving Miami and moving to the Midwest where I also have family. they have invited me to come up and stay with them and look for work in Chicago, etc. I have nothing tying me down here, and the Miami economy lacks middle-class professional job opportunities compared to other large cities in the US.

People say you should line up a job before moving, but since I have no job right now, why not experience something different and take the opportunity to get out of Miami and start a new life somewhere else?

Like I said, I really like Miami, but I am feeling restless, and with 2000+ of health/hospital administration professionals now unemployed, my intuition tells me to use this as an opportunity to travel to a new place and see new things. Maybe retrain/reinvent myself...

Any comments or suggestions?

[Wild Style]

^^

Sorry to hear this. Hopefully you find something and FAST. Chicago is a GREAT city! You will be there in time to partake of the Taste of Chicago in June/July.

[doggiebus]

I think you have the right mentality to make it where ever you go. With the flood of people now looking for a job in South Florida, I don't see how everyone will get a job some place else in the next month, as there just aren't enough openings to support the flood of people into the job market I suspect.

Chicago is a great city, too cold and snowy for me to handle. They also have Garrett's which thank goodness there isn't one here...

[tallrick]

Best to leave while you can still afford to. In a depression, you need to be as close to friends and family as possible. Miami combines high cost of living with low pay to create the ultimate third world experience in the US. You need to get off the peninsula to have more possibilities.

[alwaystraveling25]

Originally Posted by Michael Di Meo

A

So, I am thinking of leaving Miami and moving to the Midwest where I also have family. they have invited me to come up and stay with them and look for work in Chicago, etc. I have nothing tying me down here, and the Miami economy lacks middle-class professional job opportunities compared to other large cities in the US.

I moved out of Fort Lauderdale about 7 months for a new job in Chicago and haven't moved back. I haven't missed Fort Lauderdale at all, minus the warmer winters (the only drawback I had to leaving).

Chicago had a lot of middle-class professional job opportunities, and I was able to secure my job prior to moving back here. There a lot of jobs out there, especially if you are motivated to pursue them, and there are a lot of great companies in the "Loop" here.

You may miss the weather, and the familiarity of the city, but you will enjoy the Midwestern friendliness and having other job opportunities outside of the few big employers in South Florida that are not service-oriented.

Good Luck!

[Felix C]

Originally Posted by Michael Di Meo

As some of you probably know, Jackson has been laying off close to 1000 people this past month, and UM-Medical school has just started last week to lay off 1000 more people as well as a few hundred temps.

Well, I got my lay-off notice from Jackson on Monday. They will be doing some "re-hiring" back for a limited number of positions at lower salaries, but the amount of people who want those greatly exceeds the number of positions, so I was told by a couple of execs that it will be very difficult to get hired back.

So, I am thinking of leaving Miami and moving to the Midwest where I also have family. they have invited me to come up and stay with them and look for work in Chicago, etc. I have nothing tying me down here, and the Miami economy lacks middle-class professional job opportunities compared to other large cities in the US.

People say you should line up a job before moving, but since I have no job right now, why not experience something different and take the opportunity to get out of Miami and start a new life somewhere else?

Like I said, I really like Miami, but I am feeling restless, and with 2000+ of health/hospital administration professionals now unemployed, my intuition tells me to use this as an opportunity to travel to a new place and see new things. Maybe retrain/reinvent myself...

Any comments or suggestions?

Is not unemployment still 99 weeks? Take stock of your finances before leaving. Will you still receive unemployement of leaving Florida? Did you not receive a severance package?

Are you admin or heathcare function staff? Admin can transition to many other positions in South Florida.

Do not leave until you have saturated all openings here with your resume and/or contacted anyone you know in the field. Unless you really do not wish to work here as your first choice.

Go ahead and peruse Chicago for your field. You do not have to be physically present to apply do you? Use a Chicago address from your relations.

Mobility is the key to landing a job and advancing a career in my opinion. It is fine to go but be positive and keep track of your finances.

[Edu983]

Originally Posted by Michael Di Meo

As some of you probably know, Jackson has been laying off close to 1000 people this past month, and UM-Medical school has just started last week to lay off 1000 more people as well as a few hundred temps.

Well, I got my lay-off notice from Jackson on Monday. They will be doing some "re-hiring" back for a limited number of positions at lower salaries, but the amount of people who want those greatly exceeds the number of positions, so I was told by a couple of execs that it will be very difficult to get hired back.

So, I am thinking of leaving Miami and moving to the Midwest where I also have family. they have invited me to come up and stay with them and look for work in Chicago, etc. I have nothing tying me down here, and the Miami economy lacks middle-class professional job opportunities compared to other large cities in the US.

People say you should line up a job before moving, but since I have no job right now, why not experience something different and take the opportunity to get out of Miami and start a new life somewhere else?

Like I said, I really like Miami, but I am feeling restless, and with 2000+ of health/hospital administration professionals now unemployed, my intuition tells me to use this as an opportunity to travel to a new place and see new things. Maybe retrain/reinvent myself...

Any comments or suggestions?

Move up north to Georgia (Job opportunities )

[jasper12]

Go. You don't realize what a cesspool Miami is until you leave.

[straight shooter]

I would leave and start a new life (job, coworkers, house, scenery, friends) but I wouldn't go to Chicago. Chicago has all of the problems Miami has multiplied by 3 or 4.

[SalParadise]

Originally Posted by jasper12

Go. You don't realize what a cesspool Miami is until you leave.

Nice objective viewpoint from a moderator no less!!

What dump do you live if I may ask?