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Old 03-27-2011, 11:23 AM
 
5 posts, read 14,148 times
Reputation: 16

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Hello Everyone,

I have seen this website through a few searches on Google in the past. I finally have a question that could be posted here on the site, so here I go...

I am a Texas native, lived in Dallas for 23 years. I recently moved to Lubbock in 2009 to go to school. When I moved to Lubbock, it was somewhat of a culture shock to me. I thought big cities in Texas were all nearly the same, not the case. I guess you can say overall, Texas is a decent place to live, cost wise. Though, I feel it lacks scenery and diversity. When I look at pictures of AZ Vs TX (I know, not the best way to make a decision) I enjoy looking at AZ way more. The mountains alone seem attractive. Anyway...the real dilemma...

I am a recent December college graduate in the Management Information Systems field looking for web development, business / systems analysis line of work. In Lubbock, I am definitely finding it difficult to find work. I am considering moving to a bigger city in order to have a better chance in landing a job. I currently work retail, so anywhere I move I can get a store transfer and have a job to pay the bills.

Cities for consideration, though, I would say I definitely need to visit AZ to make a wise decision here...

1. Dallas (Moving Back Home)
2. Phoenix
3. Austin
4. Tempe
5. San Antonio
6. Scottsdale
7. Glendale

I would really like to get away from Texas, but many resources (not saying they are reliable resources) say I should stay here in my situation. Its either the Phoenix area and its cities I would like to venture into, or back to the DFW Metroplex I go.

Questions to answer...
What does IT employment look like out in Arizona?
What are the reason it would be a bad choice to leave Texas for Arizona?
What is the state of the state of Arizona? Good or bad?
What other things should I consider being a new college graduate and trying to make such a move?

I know this post was kind of all over there place. If you need me to provide any further information, please post and let me know.

 
Old 03-27-2011, 11:46 AM
 
10,719 posts, read 20,296,391 times
Reputation: 10021
I would stay in Texas if I was in your position. The economy has been improving in Arizona but Texas still added over 200,000 jobs. The economy is far better in Texas. I prefer Arizona over Texas but I've been fortunate to have a job that allows me to remain here. Two years from now, I will probably feel differently but for now stay in Texas.
 
Old 03-27-2011, 04:01 PM
 
9,891 posts, read 11,764,474 times
Reputation: 22087
Cities like Austin have a lot more It jobs for new graduates, than anywhere in Texas.
 
Old 03-27-2011, 04:08 PM
 
10,719 posts, read 20,296,391 times
Reputation: 10021
Quote:
Originally Posted by oldtrader View Post
Cities like Austin have a lot more It jobs for new graduates, than anywhere in Texas.
Honestly, you don't have to work in the IT industry to have an IT job. Dallas and Houston are still far better markets than Austin with regard to IT jobs because they have a lot more Fortune 500 companies and companies in general that use IT services. Yeah, Austin is more known for IT because it's job market isn't very diversified (like Phoenix) and it's market heavily slanted toward IT but that doesn't mean it has more IT jobs.
 
Old 03-28-2011, 10:12 AM
 
5 posts, read 14,148 times
Reputation: 16
Yes. Also, Austin was not on the radar as much as Dallas because I am a Texas Tech graduate. May sound a bit ridiculous, but I am sure many companies would select a Texas graduate over a Texas Tech graduate in Austin.
 
Old 03-29-2011, 09:24 AM
 
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
78 posts, read 103,041 times
Reputation: 71
Quote:
Originally Posted by biljohns View Post
Yes. Also, Austin was not on the radar as much as Dallas because I am a Texas Tech graduate. May sound a bit ridiculous, but I am sure many companies would select a Texas graduate over a Texas Tech graduate in Austin.
As someone that's been in IT for over a decade and been in the position of interviewing candidates from the employers side, let me tell you, 99% of the time at least, that's quite far from the truth. In reality, people rarely care where you went to school, just whether you have the degree.
 
Old 03-30-2011, 08:45 AM
 
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
426 posts, read 1,306,777 times
Reputation: 252
Quote:
Originally Posted by biljohns View Post
I am a Texas native, lived in Dallas for 23 years. I recently moved to Lubbock in 2009 to go to school. When I moved to Lubbock, it was somewhat of a culture shock to me. I thought big cities in Texas were all nearly the same, not the case. I guess you can say overall, Texas is a decent place to live, cost wise. Though, I feel it lacks scenery and diversity. When I look at pictures of AZ Vs TX (I know, not the best way to make a decision) I enjoy looking at AZ way more. The mountains alone seem attractive. Anyway...the real dilemma...

I am a recent December college graduate in the Management Information Systems field looking for web development, business / systems analysis line of work. In Lubbock, I am definitely finding it difficult to find work. I am considering moving to a bigger city in order to have a better chance in landing a job. I currently work retail, so anywhere I move I can get a store transfer and have a job to pay the bills.


I would really like to get away from Texas, but many resources (not saying they are reliable resources) say I should stay here in my situation. Its either the Phoenix area and its cities I would like to venture into, or back to the DFW Metroplex I go.

Questions to answer...
What does IT employment look like out in Arizona?
What are the reason it would be a bad choice to leave Texas for Arizona?
What is the state of the state of Arizona? Good or bad?
What other things should I consider being a new college graduate and trying to make such a move?
DFW Native here, born and lived there for 35 years (undergrad UNT, MBA UTD). Lived in Phoenix for two years, currently an IT Project Manager for a Fortune 15 company.

If you think Texas lacks in diversity, you haven't seen anything until you move to Arizona. True story, the young daughter of my wife's friend totally flipped out when an African American visited their house last week. There just aren't that many in Arizona. Aside from Hispanics, you aren't going to see the diversity around town that you might see in Dallas or one of the larger cities.

Aside from the lack of diversity, I love it here. I live on far north end of town and have awesome views in just about any direction I look. It is hard for me to judge the job market in your particular situation. I personally just started looking for a new job over the weekend and contacted by at least 8 recruiters over the last two days. That being said, I have some very specialized IT project management skills that are not easy to find.

What I would suggest is to leverage any alumni contacts you might have in Phoenix. Does Tech have an alumni group in Phoenix? Were you in any clubs or fraternities that might have an alumni group here?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Down View Post
As someone that's been in IT for over a decade and been in the position of interviewing candidates from the employers side, let me tell you, 99% of the time at least, that's quite far from the truth. In reality, people rarely care where you went to school, just whether you have the degree.
Don't underestimate the affection people have in Austin for UT. Given all things being equal, a UT grad in Austin is going to hire another UT grad over someone from Texas Tech. That city lives and breathes burnt orange.
 
Old 03-30-2011, 12:56 PM
 
5 posts, read 14,148 times
Reputation: 16
I have decided to stay here in TX. I may later try a visit and move to AZ, but right now is not my time.

When I went to Tech, I wasn't apart of any organizations. I have a background in web development and analysis, but am finding it hard to get my "foot" in the door. It seems I always get to the final round of interviewing, and never get selected. I am down to zero leads, and am starting from square one.

I know this is unrelated to the thread topic, but does anyone have any advice or leads for IT positions in Texas?

I nearly just want to give up. (rejection)

BTW, in Austin, TX...

Burnt Orange > Scarlett Red...LOL
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