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Old 07-26-2011, 11:02 AM
 
3 posts, read 3,661 times
Reputation: 10

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Hi, neighbors!

I've been living in Tampa for over a year now. I moved here from Louisiana. Here's some quick background on my education and experience:

Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Fine Art
- Master's degree in Art
- 21 hours completed of the Master's degree in Education in School Counseling program (didn't get to complete it since I moved to FL)

Recent employment:
- Self-employed graphic design consultant (ie, I make custom graphics for print and web use)
- Substitute Teacher for Hillsborough County (started Feb 2011)
- Mortgage specialist at JPMorgan Chase (in LA, 2008-2009)
- And a few other small-time recruitment, office-type jobs... nothing too major

My work as a graphic design consultant (sounds fancier than it actually is :P) is seriously slowing down to a near halt. I'm only getting 1-2 jobs per month. It's also not something I want to pursue full-time since it's not guaranteed work with benefits, unlike the usual 9-5 job.

Being a sub for the county is nice... but again, no benefits and I'm honestly not making enough - or working enough - to afford the things that I need to begin paying for. Money sucks, right? :P

I've been sending my resume out all over the place, and I'm having no luck. HSN has turned me down twice and I have no clue why. I thought BrightHouse was going to come through, but after I went through phase 2 of the application process, I've yet to hear anything back from them - and that was over a month ago. I've tried WalMart, Publix even! I've been told I'm overqualified... and then a different company will say that I'm under-qualified and without enough experience. I know the nation in general is having job issues... but good grief, this can't keep on going like this. I've been a FL resident for a year now. Is it seriously time to start looking into unemployment options, if there even are any for me? Ugh, so frustrating...

I'm using tons of different resources for the job hunt, but I'm just having no luck at all! Do yall have any suggestions on what I could do different? Sorry for the big rant - I'm just so frustrated!
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Old 07-26-2011, 01:51 PM
 
Location: Tampa, FL
1,388 posts, read 2,388,153 times
Reputation: 993
i hear ya. this region of the country is depressed. there are some opportunities here but the problem is that there is so much competition for each job. hiring managers are 10 times as picky as i'm used to. makes the hiring process a grueling pain in the butt.
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Old 07-26-2011, 02:39 PM
 
Location: Tampa, FL
27,798 posts, read 32,448,899 times
Reputation: 14611
Don't want to be a full time educator?

What does one do w/ a Masters in Art?
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Old 07-26-2011, 03:15 PM
 
Location: Brandon, FL
295 posts, read 1,450,498 times
Reputation: 298
Quote:
Originally Posted by BucFan View Post
What does one do w/ a Masters in Art?
1) Open a business (art store, tattoo parlor, picture framing)

2) Museum curator / art gallery caretaker

3) Graphic designer for sports team, advertising agency, or big business (like Wal Mart)

4) Teacher...

..and those jobs where a degree is moot. I know a few people in other states with History degrees going through the same thing.
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Old 07-26-2011, 04:05 PM
 
35,309 posts, read 52,315,210 times
Reputation: 30999
I dont understand why people query this and other Florida websites only to be told times are tough down here not many jobs and too many looking for them,yet down the people come by the thousands and then wonder why they cant find a job
Meeks52 you are doing better than most and have a good attitude ultimately you'll probably succeed, but what would you say to perspective transplant to Florida who's only motivation to move to Florida is they dont like winter and down they come with little in the way of research looking for the best safe neighborhoods with all the jobs and the best of schools and the cheapest places to live?
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Old 07-26-2011, 04:40 PM
 
Location: Spring Hill Florida
12,135 posts, read 16,138,172 times
Reputation: 6086
No matter where you move to, the economy is roughly the same. In the pits. Jobs are scarce. Certainly not a good time to be relocating anywhere. Ride out the storm and wait for a turn around before making any moves.
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Old 07-26-2011, 05:36 PM
 
Location: Tampa, FL
27,798 posts, read 32,448,899 times
Reputation: 14611
this thread should be a sticky for the Tampa Bay CD forum...for prospective newbies to the area
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Old 07-26-2011, 07:44 PM
 
Location: Castle Rock, Co
1,613 posts, read 3,239,806 times
Reputation: 969
Quote:
Originally Posted by Meeks52 View Post
Hi, neighbors!

I've been living in Tampa for over a year now. I moved here from Louisiana. Here's some quick background on my education and experience:

Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Fine Art
- Master's degree in Art
- 21 hours completed of the Master's degree in Education in School Counseling program (didn't get to complete it since I moved to FL)

Recent employment:
- Self-employed graphic design consultant (ie, I make custom graphics for print and web use)
- Substitute Teacher for Hillsborough County (started Feb 2011)
- Mortgage specialist at JPMorgan Chase (in LA, 2008-2009)
- And a few other small-time recruitment, office-type jobs... nothing too major

My work as a graphic design consultant (sounds fancier than it actually is :P) is seriously slowing down to a near halt. I'm only getting 1-2 jobs per month. It's also not something I want to pursue full-time since it's not guaranteed work with benefits, unlike the usual 9-5 job.

Being a sub for the county is nice... but again, no benefits and I'm honestly not making enough - or working enough - to afford the things that I need to begin paying for. Money sucks, right? :P

I've been sending my resume out all over the place, and I'm having no luck. HSN has turned me down twice and I have no clue why. I thought BrightHouse was going to come through, but after I went through phase 2 of the application process, I've yet to hear anything back from them - and that was over a month ago. I've tried WalMart, Publix even! I've been told I'm overqualified... and then a different company will say that I'm under-qualified and without enough experience. I know the nation in general is having job issues... but good grief, this can't keep on going like this. I've been a FL resident for a year now. Is it seriously time to start looking into unemployment options, if there even are any for me? Ugh, so frustrating...

I'm using tons of different resources for the job hunt, but I'm just having no luck at all! Do yall have any suggestions on what I could do different? Sorry for the big rant - I'm just so frustrated!
What brighthouse office and what position? feel free to PM if you rather.
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Old 07-26-2011, 08:07 PM
 
385 posts, read 1,113,228 times
Reputation: 256
Is there some sort of alternative certification process in Florida for teaching something like high school art?
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Old 07-26-2011, 08:36 PM
 
Location: Savannah, GA
794 posts, read 1,861,301 times
Reputation: 1694
Hang in there Meeks and don't give up.

Incidentally, JPMChase is opening many more branches in the Tampa area. You might want to check into that.

Best of luck to ya.
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