Waaaay OT - Leaving Florida for Tennessee

[Decorated_Dust]

Hey all. I tried posting this on the community board, but it was a dud, so I figured I would ask you friendly folks for some help. ;)

My two friends and I are planning on moving to Knoxville, TN in August. The job market and cost of living are just too much for us recent college grads here in WPB, and I want to go to grad school at UT in 2010. Anyway, we are going on an exploratory trip starting on Tuesday so we can look for apartments and look at jobs. I am actually planning on calling Covenant Health and asking for a meeting since I have applied for a few jobs there. Does anyone else know of any places that might be in need of a young girl with a Bachelor's in Psychology and lots of research experience?

Also, is there any general advice the Tennessee residents can give when it comes to moving up there? I'm freaking out a little since I really don't know anyone up there.

[L.E. Ott]

You know Candy and I. Look us up while you're here looking around. We'll halp ya anyway we can.

[jcb]

Same here. The psychology program at UTK has a good reputation. I know one or two adjuncts there.

I'm not familiar with the job market - of course we have lost some jobs - primarily industrial - but the economy here is not in as bad a shape as it is elsewhere. The university and the federal workforce tend to help avoid extremes. Tourism is huge here.

PM me if you have specific questions about housing locations, neighborhoods or employers. The rental properties here are practically giving away housing. I'll give you my phone and e-mail address.

[kbelle8995]

I don't know all that much about Tennessee. But I am in a similiar boat. This week I found out my position is being eliminated so I am job searching as well.

With the economic times being what they are you might just have to take something out of your field just to pay the bills. I also don't know do they allow volunteers in your field this might be a way to make yourself known to the community.

On the other hand things might be cheaper in Tennessee than WPB. It's so expensive down at WPB which is one of the reasons I left.:thumbsup2:thumbsup2

I would also see if you can get reference letters from some of your professors. Hey let me know if they have any library or museum work available.

Good luck on your search I hope you do find somethin. :goodvibes:goodvibes

[Mouse Skywalker]

Ashley, I have a cousin outside of Knoxville that I could contact if you need, but it looks like you have some good leads already here. I just wanted to wish you the best of luck in your new adventure. Let me know if I can help you in anyway regarding grad programs. I'm not sure what area of Psych you are interested in, but if it is in the biopsychology realm I know a little. ;)

[*NikkiBell*]

To be honest, as far as I know, Florida is one of the cheapest places to live. However, salaries are not what they are up north. I don't have any other advice I could give you other than to be patient and don't let yourself become idle. Good luck! :)

[Decorated_Dust]

Same here. The psychology program at UTK has a good reputation. I know one or two adjuncts there.

I'm not familiar with the job market - of course we have lost some jobs - primarily industrial - but the economy here is not in as bad a shape as it is elsewhere. The university and the federal workforce tend to help avoid extremes. Tourism is huge here.

PM me if you have specific questions about housing locations, neighborhoods or employers. The rental properties here are practically giving away housing. I'll give you my phone and e-mail address.

I am actually hoping for a job in hospitality, but I cannot find such jobs posted anywhere. Still, that is encouraging. The rents I have been looking at in TN compared to here are awesome! I'll probably be PMing you in the next couple days. Thanks for your help. :hug:

I don't know all that much about Tennessee. But I am in a similiar boat. This week I found out my position is being eliminated so I am job searching as well.

With the economic times being what they are you might just have to take something out of your field just to pay the bills. I also don't know do they allow volunteers in your field this might be a way to make yourself known to the community.

I am definitely looking outside my field, even though I would prefer something in it. I am looking in the Apple Store and hospitality, like I said before. I will be getting experience through volunteer work. I'm not terribly picky since it will only be temporary anyway. I really do not care what I get as long as it does not involve food. I promise I'm not a snob, I just have an OCD thing about touching other people's food so I would likely not make a good waitress.

I'll be praying you find a job. I have not really seen all that many library jobs. Then again, I am mostly looking for clerical or administrative work, so I might have just missed it.

Ashley, I have a cousin outside of Knoxville that I could contact if you need, but it looks like you have some good leads already here. I just wanted to wish you the best of luck in your new adventure. Let me know if I can help you in anyway regarding grad programs. I'm not sure what area of Psych you are interested in, but if it is in the biopsychology realm I know a little.

Thanks Dave! You always cheer me up. :thumbsup2 I'll let you know if I would need your cousin's help, but as you said, I think I have some great help now.

I was interested in biopsychology for about an hour before it began to make my head hurt. As much as I would love to learn more about the brain, I am more drawn to the mind. I am likely either going the counseling route or school psychology. I have noticed that it is not as much of a popular major in graduate schools, but I guess I'll see once I start to apply.

[maidenfairy]

Hey all. I tried posting this on the community board, but it was a dud, so I figured I would ask you friendly folks for some help. ;)

My two friends and I are planning on moving to Knoxville, TN in August. The job market and cost of living are just too much for us recent college grads here in WPB, and I want to go to grad school at UT in 2010. Anyway, we are going on an exploratory trip starting on Tuesday so we can look for apartments and look at jobs. I am actually planning on calling Covenant Health and asking for a meeting since I have applied for a few jobs there. Does anyone else know of any places that might be in need of a young girl with a Bachelor's in Psychology and lots of research experience?

Also, is there any general advice the Tennessee residents can give when it comes to moving up there? I'm freaking out a little since I really don't know anyone up there.

There are some great places to live in Knoxville and it is really affordable compared to other places. Always try www.knoxnews.com for classifieds and apartments.

You should try getting on at peninsula, here is the website. www.peninsulabehavioralhealth.org

Also try St. Mary's Hospital. They have a psych ward.

Welcome to the area and you are going to love it. There are lots of things to do and to see. Your going to trade in your Disney season passes for Dollywood passes. I hope you like pork rinds.

[whodini]

Who knew there were so many folks here in Knoxvegas.

Check out http://www.mercy.com/ to see what they may have. Its a recent merger between Baptist and St. Marys.

You can also send your resume over to the guys that run http://knoxify.com/. They have a Resumes area in the top.

We also have an increasing number of groups to network with, especially for online folks. I work with both http://knoxvillesocialmedia.ning.com/and http://www.knoxvilleoverground.com/.

I've been told by a lot of people that areas like Knoxville, Asheville, and Charlotte are becoming more popular with people that moved to FL and decided they didn't like it, so they move just a bit further north. Not nearly as hot & humid (although the past week has been unseasonably hot). Knoxville is a town where you're going to have to work a little to find like minded people and things to do. There's plenty to see and do, but it isn't always as obvious as other places. I never lived outside of the northeast before, so being able to drive to Nashville, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Ashville, etc just for the weekend has been great.

The only thing I caution people about is the airfare. Southern FL has plenty of options for airports, which tends to cause prices to stay down. We only have 1 major airport here, McGee Tyson. After that you're looking at 90 mins to Chattanooga, and 2 hours to Nashville. The good news is that Allegiant Air continues to do well here, so we've got cheap flights to several places in Florida.

Good luck on your visit up here.

~ Chad

[jcb]

But don't forget Airtran - they have returned to Knoxville. RT to Orlando for DAP is $109!

[Decorated_Dust]

maidenfairy and whodini - WOW!! Thank you for those resources!! Several of them are exactly what I needed.

Also, just a general job question that might sound stupid. However, I'm a novice, so I figured it was okay. Since I'm going to be in Knoxville this week, I am calling a few of the places I want to work at, like Peninsula and St. Mary's, to meet with them. I've applied, but they haven't asked me for an interview yet. Would it help or hurt my chances to call and express interest in meeting in person even when they did not contact me?

[jcb]

Unless the job vacancy announcement (or employer's webpage) says not to come, then a personal visit is not inappropriate and might impress on an employer how eager you are to come to work for them. Keep the visit short and have something in writing to give them so they will put it in your applicant file. That way, when they later review the applications, they will remember your visit.

So if you have an autographed photo of Mickey . . . .

FYI - bring cool and comfortable clothes as well as wet weather gear. We are getting soaked. Hot and humid is the forecast and afternoon thunderstorms are forecast for every day this week.

[Decorated_Dust]

Unless the job vacancy announcement (or employer's webpage) says not to come, then a personal visit is not inappropriate and might impress on an employer how eager you are to come to work for them. Keep the visit short and have something in writing to give them so they will put it in your applicant file. That way, when they later review the applications, they will remember your visit.

So if you have an autographed photo of Mickey . . . .

FYI - bring cool and comfortable clothes as well as wet weather gear. We are getting soaked. Hot and humid is the forecast and afternoon thunderstorms are forecast for every day this week.

If only I had one of Mickey, but he never returns my calls. :sad2:

Thanks for the advice! Would this thing in writing be anything, or something like a resume/cover letter? Would a nice box of saltwater taffy have the same effect? I am actually going out today to but a business suit. I hope I don't die of heat stroke. And based on what you said, the weather is not that different from the weather down here.

[jcb]

I was thinking a short letter, a business card, anything that will jog their memory that it was you, not the other candidates, who took the time to visit.

Salt-water taffy is probably over-kill, unless, perhaps, it was all volunteer orange. I'm just sayin' . . . .

[Decorated_Dust]

I was thinking a short letter, a business card, anything that will jog their memory that it was you, not the other candidates, who took the time to visit.

Salt-water taffy is probably over-kill, unless, perhaps, it was all volunteer orange. I'm just sayin' . . . .

Well, I will be a Volunteer soon. :dance3: You're probably right though. Thanks for the help. I might go for the business card, even though I might have to make them myself.

[jcb]

Also, as to the business suit, my feeling is you make a much better impression if you look collected and classy than if you show up looking like another uncomfortable person in a dark suit during the early days of summer. I did say hot and humid, didn't I.

I don't mean to minimize that it is important to look professional during a job interview and I am not really the best person to talk to on the subject of high fashion but dressing professionally doesn't necessarily mean you have to look like every one else who walks through the door.

[Decorated_Dust]

Also, as to the business suit, my feeling is you make a much better impression if you look collected and classy than if you show up looking like another uncomfortable person in a dark suit during the early days of summer. I did say hot and humid, didn't I.

I don't mean to minimize that it is important to look professional during a job interview and I am not really the best person to talk to on the subject of high fashion but dressing professionally doesn't necessarily mean you have to look like every one else who walks through the door.

I'm glad you said that, because I HATE business suits, especially during summer.

[JenniBugInPink]

Well hey there, and welcome to our fair state of TN soon! I live up here in the corner in Bristol (just a couple of hours NE of Knoxville). Actually, my husband is from Maryville, which is just outside of Knoxville (we met online, 12+ years ago).

I wish you the best of luck in your job search!:hug::hug: My first degree was in psych, waaaay back in 1976. Might explain why my second degree was in nursing later (1994). I work in pharmaceutical research now, in data management. I need both degrees - the nursing for the research, and the psych to manage the stress, LOL!! :laughing:

You do know that we eat, sleep, and drink football up here, right? It's the most important thing in our world. That and women's basketball. We bleed orange. Make sure that you understand that Vol fans loathe and despise Florida Gators (the team and their fans, not the critters) in a way that cannot be described, so you don't say anything during an interview that might be a problem. Of course, we're not that fond of anyone that we have to play in the SEC, but we hate them and a few other teams in a special way. Since you're coming from there, I thought I'd mention it. :thumbsup2
GO VOLS!!!

[shannn]

I'm here in Knoxville too. I'd be glad to help with anything! I'm a teacher so I don't know much about the job market, but I do know about the areas around Knoxville. I also have my master's degree from UT so I know a bit about it.

Good luck!!

[Decorated_Dust]

You do know that we eat, sleep, and drink football up here, right? It's the most important thing in our world. That and women's basketball. We bleed orange. Make sure that you understand that Vol fans loathe and despise Florida Gators (the team and their fans, not the critters) in a way that cannot be described, so you don't say anything during an interview that might be a problem. Of course, we're not that fond of anyone that we have to play in the SEC, but we hate them and a few other teams in a special way. Since you're coming from there, I thought I'd mention it. :thumbsup2
GO VOLS!!!

Well.....one of the people coming with me graduated form UF, and has a lot of Gator stuff, so......

We better install a good security system. :scared:

Thanks for the well-wishes, though!! :hug:

[maidenfairy]

In Knoxville prisoners can not wear orange jumpsuits because if they escaped on a game day they would blend in.

Get to know the words to Rocky Top. You are going to hear it a lot.

[Chairman Clench]

GO VOLS!!!

:yay:

[jcb]

Somehow I just knew this thread would devolve into a partisan discussion of the merits of SEC football. ;)

I can see it now, SEC football joins religion and politics on the DIS' banned topics list.

I should never have made the comment about orange taffy.

[Decorated_Dust]

Somehow I just knew this thread would devolve into a partisan discussion of the merits of SEC football. ;)

I can see it now, SEC football joins religion and politics on the DIS' banned topics list.

I should never have made the comment about orange taffy.

I wouldn't say we've gone the way of devolution just yet. Now if someone were to say...

GatorsRule!!!!

...that might cause issues. Of course, this is strictly hypothetical. :thumbsup2

Man, I'm gonna have a hard time in Knoxville, aren't I? Please don't hate me.

[DaParkers]

While living in Ky for 3 years, I passed through Knoxville a few times on my way to N.C. to visit my mother. I must say that it is a beautiful place. I wish you luck.

And since SEC football came up, :)Geaux Tigers:upsidedow

[kbelle8995]

You do know that we eat, sleep, and drink football up here, right? It's the most important thing in our world. That and women's basketball. We bleed orange. Make sure that you understand that Vol fans loathe and despise Florida Gators (the team and their fans, not the critters) in a way that cannot be described, so you don't say anything during an interview that might be a problem. Of course, we're not that fond of anyone that we have to play in the SEC, but we hate them and a few other teams in a special way. Since you're coming from there, I thought I'd mention it. :thumbsup2
GO VOLS!!!

Just Remember that not all of us down here are Florida Gator Fans. Some of us cheer for

FSU SEMINOLES. GO NOLES!!!

Sorry Gator Fans. I just had to fly my Seminole flag. Equal Time. See what you made me do. We might have to add ACC to the list of banned topics.

[Decorated_Dust]

Just Remember that not all of us down here are Florida Gator Fans. Some of us cheer for

FSU SEMINOLES. GO NOLES!!!

Sorry Gator Fans. I just had to fly my Seminole flag. Equal Time. See what you made me do. We might have to add ACC to the list of banned topics.

Well, I should be a Seminole since my sister will be going there in the fall......

But I won't be. :rolleyes1

[Decorated_Dust]

Alrighty, I am currently on my way to my exploratory trip in Knoxville, and I currently have a list of places I will drop by. I also have a meeting with a woman who has connections with the Asperger's/autistic community. If I could get a job with one of those organizations, it would be beyond perfect.

I might be sending a few of you PMs once I get internet again. I'm in a Gainesville friend's apartment right now, and wireless is spotty.

[whodini]

Remember that not everyone is even a college football fan, as blasphemous as that is around here. Moving from the northeast I had no clue what a Volunteer was and certainly wasn't prepared for game days in town. Its a total college sports town here. Only the transplants, and Knoxville continues to be a very migratory type of town, care about things like MLB and NFL.