Looking for a little change (Knoxville, Chattanooga: transplants, job market, school)

[hockeygal22]

I am 22 and still in school, even though I am close to graduation I find that I have no desire to continue at this time. I have no idea what I want to do with my life and feel like I am wasting my time on a degree that most likely won't get me a job anyway because I lack experience. I am a a history major and hoped to one day work for the National Park Service but now I am questioning that career choice.

I feel like I need to get out and experience life before I can make a decision like a career or where I settle down. I have a restless soul and I feel trapped here in the frozen mitten (Michigan) there are no jobs and as an outdoorsy girl I find it hard to find outdoor activities to do (hike, mountain bike, etc). I am considering moving and am seriously thinking of Tennessee or the surrounding area. I want some place that has access to the great outdoors and a moderate climate (I am tired of freezing). I have been looking at Chattanooga, Knoxville, Nashville, and the Great Smoky Mountain area.

I need to know what the job market is in the state for a person who lacks a degree and which areas have a reasonable cost of living.

[Pam& Bill]

Hockeygal,
Tn. has a reasonable cost of living. But you are doing your search backwards. Find a job first in your area of expertise and then pick the area. Have you ever visited?
Tn. is loaded with retirees and other transplants.Don't come without a job lined up first. From what I hear of the job market, competition for jobs is fierce. I don't know that from first hand experience, only read about it on here a lot.
If you are restless, why don't you travel and see some of the countryside first? Then you may know what is in your heart that you will want to do with your life. Moving here without any job experience or a degree has the makings of a disaster.There is no denying that Tn. is a beautiful state with lots of outdoorsy things to do, but money helps in doing things like eating, paying rent, utilities and gas for the car.
You say you are close to graduation and don't know what you want to do as a career. Would it be a bad thing to work at a job to give yourself time to decide what you want to choose as a career? Now I'm not telling you not to come to Tn., I am saying that you need to change the direction of your thoughts and make a good decision.
All the best,
Pam

[Robbied]

Hockeygal, I DMed you.
But for all those out there. I went to a three year dipolma nursing program. After I finished I enrolled in a comm. college to take some classes towards finishing a degree. I had one daughter, then a son, then a daughter, then a son ..then busy with them and worked.. 51 years later, no degree. Honey, you are so close to graduation, with those letters behind your name, for all those hard years you worked, you will be happy.

I dont want you to give it up now. You have plenty of time to work. Please go back and finish school first.

[fallfanatic]

hockeygal...I agree with robbied. I've had a similiar situation. Three clases short of my final degree...never got back. Hon, your so close, finish school first then move wherever you choose. You'll be very glad you did... I can promise you that you'll never regret having finished.

[Robbied]

Originally Posted by Robbied

Hockeygal, I DMed you.
But for all those out there. I went to a three year dipolma nursing program. After I finished I enrolled in a comm. college to take some classes towards finishing a degree. I had one daughter, then a son, then a daughter, then a son ..then busy with them and worked.. 51 years later, no degree. Honey, you are so close to graduation, with those letters behind your name, for all those hard years you worked, you will be happy.

I dont want you to give it up now. You have plenty of time to work. Please go back and finish school first.

it isnt 51 years later after finishing nursing school and started on a bsn, it is that I am 51 years old.. ok.. but you know what I meant.

[Grizzlybear34]

Originally Posted by Robbied

it isnt 51 years later after finishing nursing school and started on a bsn, it is that I am 51 years old.. ok.. but you know what I meant.

I was SOOOOooooo going to jump all over that!

Good save... next time...

[Robbied]

Well too bad..Grizzlybear, you just have to be a bit quicker next time..
and , I didnt miss it.. I was uhhh..quite busy and just saw it now

[Reedly]

Hey there HockeyGal!

Also check out [url=http://www.NashvilleMountainBike.com]Nashville Mountain Bike - Official Website - Home[/url] for info about mountain biking in the Nashville area!! There are tons of riders in the area and NMB is a great place to start looking for info!

Good luck with everything!
Reed