Job advice

[skuttle]

With graduation quickly approaching, I'm starting my job search. There are many firms that come on campus to interview, so that's not a problem...here's my problem: Most of the jobs I've been looking into are here in Baton Rouge. However, I'm quickly finding out that it's going to be really hard finding a job in Baton Rouge that will pay me a decent salary. Now, there are lots more jobs in New Orleans, which is about 1.5 hours away.

How much money do you think would make it worth it to drive 1.5 hours to and from work? I don't really need specific amounts...I just don't know...ugh...

 

[Michelle]

Honestly...NO amount of money is worth a 90-minute commute each way! That is an ungodly amount of time in your car (and trust me, I have had commutes like that living in Southern California) and it is not fun. Especially if you will be working long hours, as you no doubt will when starting out. No one wants three hours a day of commuting.

Is moving to New Orleans or at least closer out of the question?

 

[skuttle]

Nope...can't move. We signed our lease through May 2005 (when DH graduates).

New Orleans is actually closer than 1.5 hours...but I figured w/ traffic it'd be closer to 1.5. Hopefully somethign will work out here...I'm just trying to plan ahead.

 

[Kermit]

There's absolutely no way I'd drive to New Orleans every day, unless maybe I was starving and had to do it just to have a job. Not only would you have to calculate wear and tear on your car, but you'd have to calculate the fact that you would have no free time. Unless your DH is handy around the house, you'd probably need to hire a housekeeper, and you'd need to plan on eating a lot of meals out. You'd also have to consider that you wouldn't really be able to take a long lunch every once in a while to get stuff done, like meeting the exterminator or furniture delivery men. You'd be too far away.

I will admit that I hate driving, so my opinion may not count. I especially can't stand being out in the middle of nowhere. You'd be driving through the swamp. I hate that stretch of I-10. Just the thought of it freaks me out.

 

[skuttle]

I know, I know. I might get paid more to work in New Orleans, but it was cost more. And I'm kidding myself if I really think driving to and from New Orleans 5 days a week wouldn't drive me crazy!

This whole job serach thing is making me panic, I guess.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Come to Chicago, Allison.

 

[DocRafiki]

Ugh. I personally value my free time highly. I don't know how much new grads make in LA, but I personally would want to make enough extra to cover 3 hrs of my time, plus all the things already mentioned. OR, instead of taking a 50-hr/week job in NOLA, you could take a 65-hr/wk job in BR (if the hourly pay were equal). You're spending the same amt of time, plus you get paid for the extra hours and don't have the auto expenses (and can maybe come home for lunch).

Considering all that, I don't think I would consider it for under an extra $100 a day, and I would think that would be hard to find.

That said, a classmate of mine commuted from BR to Metairie while her husband finished vet school (2 yrs). The choice wasn't for money, but for the quality of the practice. Our advisors recommended that your first job be the highest-paying you can get at a quality practice.... because your future employers will make offers based on what you made at your last job, and of course you'll be worth more and will overshadow other applicants if you have impressive experience and references. So if you have lofty aspirations, it might be worth it.