Yes, another "can I make it?" Thread. (New York: sales, apartments)
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Hi all, I know this board gets bombarded with these kinds of questions that many commenters get sick of, but I figure it doesn't hurt to ask for a more personalized response.
This May I will be graduating with my MA in American Studies. I have applied for PhD programs throughout the country with varying success, but after researching the academic job market, I'm not sure this field is for me.
I grew up in upstate New York (Port Jervis in Orange County) so I've been to the city quite a few times, but moved to Florida when I was thirteeen. I am a graduate of the University of South Florida in Tampa for both undergraduate and graduate work, and I financed much of my undergraduate education by becoming a butcher for over three years at a well-regarded company here in Tampa.
Like many in their mid-twenties, I'd like to take a stab at New York while I'm young and without kids. If I move to New York, I'd like to save up $5-7k beforehand and try to make it there. How possible is it for somebody who is young with little experience outside of butchery to make a living? In grad school I was a TA, but will that get me anywhere in New York City without any connections?
To be completely clear, I have no delusions of living in Manhattan or the hip neighborhoods in Brooklyn. I'd imagine Queens or the Bronx to be more my scene (and price range), but I really have no idea where I should start looking. How good is the job market in New York for somebody with a Master's and with a background in retail sales and meat cutting? Does anybody have any recommendations on where to start looking for jobs, apartments, neighborhoods, etc?
I should also add that I am no stranger to living in small spaces. Throughout college I lived in tiny (15x20) apartments (I used the money I saved by living in small spaces to go to sporting events and whatnot). While I understand that these spaces will cost MUCH more in NY than in Tampa, I can fit everything I need in about three decent shipping boxes.
take a stab at it if you want but have a plan and way to support yourself. Don't just move here and say "well I guess I'll look for a job now". Easier said then done I realize but nothing worth doing is ever easy right?
You asked can I make it? In short NO.
Those that have drive, determination, and the will to succeed just do and don't go to a public forum and ask random strangers can I make it?
I think you start by looking for a job. Don't worry about neighborhoods. Just get anything cheap with a roommate - maybe a grad student.
I had to chuckle at the butchering background, but it's no joke, considering the number of haute-foodie places here. Start with making a list of all the gourmet butcher possibilities in town. You ought to be able to come up with at least 20.
I'm not sure what American Studies would entail, but that might be a great background for an entry-level publishing job for non-fiction books. Or a similar magazine. Or one of the cable channels. Or one of the museums.
You need a PhD for museums. I have an Amer Studies degree as well.
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