Mt. Washington vs. Lawrenceville? (Pittsburgh, Shiloh: college, living, shop)

[jay5835]

I'm sorry to hear about your transfer not working out. What happened?

I do hope you move up here anyway. I like it a lot more than DC. I always did, I guess.

[Tinare]

Bummer! Sorry that your transfer didn't work out. I did a similar thing back in the early 90s, except that I was able to move in with family. But, I have never found it difficult to find a job in the area. Look into temporary agencies also. I know that there are some in the area that specialize in accounting jobs. That can help with networking and sometimes lead to a permanent full-time job. I'm in a different field but did work as a temp back in the day. I did get offers -- some that I didn't want to take and one that worked for a while as a good transitional job to a better position. Good luck!

[ajzjmsmom]

RR, sorry to hear your transfer fell through, but glad you are moving anyway. Noone should be as unhappy as you have been if they have the wherewithal to change it. I agree with Caladium about the job prospects.

[JD984]

RR, I'm also sorry your transfer fell through. However, I would think twice before giving notice to your current employer if you don't already have other job prospects lined up. I don't doubt that someone with your energy could find some type of employment in Pittsburgh, but you may find it more difficult to line up a new position commensurate with your qualifications if you leave your first post-college job within less than two years of graduating, and without something else lined up. Maybe I'm being old-fashioned here, but I think some employers would have concerns about your commitment if you bail on a current employer in that manner.

Of course, if what you really want to do is work indefinitely at a Lowe's or Home Depot in Pittsburgh, that's another story.

[jay5835]

Originally Posted by JEB77

Of course, if what you really want to do is work indefinitely at a Lowe's or Home Depot in Pittsburgh, that's another story.

Wow. Accentuate the positive.

[JD984]

Originally Posted by jay5835

Wow. Accentuate the positive.

Wasn't intended as snarky; RR has previously noted that he worked in retail and could see himself progressing up the management chain at a retail business like Lowe's. There's nothing wrong w/that; we all benefit when retail establishments are managed by people who like what they do and are good at it.

OTOH, if he wants to get into a mid-level accounting job in the Burgh, query whether he's better served (1) bailing on his current job in NoVa and taking a pay-the-rent retail position in the interim, or (2) remaining in his current auditor's job and working hard to line up something in the same field in Pittsburgh.

As I said, I'm surely old-fashioned in my thinking. It may be that, with all the employment losses of late, employers don't spend as much time looking as past employment history and just decide whether someone is qualified whenever a new position actually opens up. In my field, however, we'd still think twice about someone relatively junior who bailed on a first job within a relatively short period of time because they were "stressed out" by the city/region where they were living. You'd wonder how they'd be able to deal with a tough situation at work.

[XRiteMA98]

I would also say that if you are SO depressed move here anyway. Staying there will do you more harm than good.

[greg42]

Originally Posted by JEB77

Wasn't intended as snarky; RR has previously noted that he worked in retail and could see himself progressing up the management chain at a retail business like Lowe's. There's nothing wrong w/that; we all benefit when retail establishments are managed by people who like what they do and are good at it.

OTOH, if he wants to get into a mid-level accounting job in the Burgh, query whether he's better served (1) bailing on his current job in NoVa and taking a pay-the-rent retail position in the interim, or (2) remaining in his current auditor's job and working hard to line up something in the same field in Pittsburgh.

I agree with this generally. If you're absolutely at the end of the rope, though, with the job being awful, and you have to quit for your own sanity, then go ahead and do it. (I have some recent personal experience with this, not myself, but someone else close. Reached the end, had to quit before finding another job.) But don't do it reactively just because the transfer didn't go. Take the time to think it through. If you can spare a bit more time down there, you may have time to actually find a job up here before quitting. Not so far away as to make a job search that hard.

Good luck.

[chloride1]

Originally Posted by XRiteMA98

I would also say that if you are SO depressed move here anyway. Staying there will do you more harm than good.

I agree. As you said in an earlier post (and echoed by others), you will be able to find sufficient employment to sustain youself at the beginning. No reason at all to believe that you will be stuck in the first job you take, as implied by a previous poster.

You have a good feeling about Pittsburgh, and have already made friends.

You clearly have much energy and imagination but your current situation isn't working for you.

I suggest you move here now. The issue isn't whether this is the best place to move or whether moving will maximize your career.

The issue is, your situation now is harming you.

It isn't rash to come here economically, and you had a good reaction to coming here.

Once you are comfortable, I have a feeling you will do very well! (I've read your posts here and also at 15211.org)

[ngadude]

Very sorry to hear your news. Just do not make a hasty decision. I know you are very unhappy here. Do not burn bridges at your employer. Also in this economy it is harder. If economy was better I would say go for it!