Orlando, pros/cons?

[kimmar067]

... what's not to like??!?!?



....huh??!?!? What??!?! ...ohhh, wrong 'Orlando'....mah ba-a-a-d.....

 

[Metro West]

How about Cali? I figured it was an insane idea, but some of the 1 bedrooms are only like 1000-1200 a month. Yes that's a LOT of money, but with a roomate, could it be feasible? BTW, I'm not talking San Francisco anymore. This is in Anaheim, a CA city I also like (visited a few times).

Everywhere in CA is out of control price wise...rents and home prices. Again...I would NOT make a huge move like you're thinking of unless you can support yourself. You're only asking for trouble if you MUST have someone else to share living expenses.

 

[kdm31091]

But Orlando is increasing in price dramatically too, right?

My mindset is beginning to change a bit. I'm starting to see through research that if I truly want to be ensured of a good income, I should at least get a bachelor's degree. This would also open a lot more doors for me. Being a barber would be fine, but I want to pick something that I enjoy, but that will also allow me to be less restricted in lifestyle. Nursing is an option, as well as teaching - they're things I think I would enjoy. Plus, living on campus sounds fun, and is a good way to help me get used to an area without having to be committed and tied down there (if I hate it, I just finish up college and leave).

An elementary teacher in California makes ~$50k according to stats. That's decently liveable, I would imagine. A registered nurse = $67k in California. Both of these figures should be way higher by 2013 (which would be when I'd graduate a 4 year college). Seems like 4 year colleges are the way to go if I want real security.

I'm a little worried, however. Is college really as hard as I feel like it will be? In high school, as long as I'm alert and pay attention, I can get mostly B's. How hard is college in general?

 

[LeftCoaster]

But Orlando is increasing in price dramatically too, right?

Prices in Orlando are nowhere near what you'll be paying in California. Anaheim is generally referred to as Anaslime. Most of it is fairly low income and somewhat dumpy. You'd be looking at a MINIMUM of $1200 a month for a semi decent 1 br apartment. If you honestly want a decent place to live, you're looking at $1500 a month for a 1br.
Also, for most of Orange County, there is not much to the gay life. From Anaheim, you'd need to go 30 minutes (without traffic) to Laguna Beach or Long Beach or 1 hr. + (without traffic) to West Hollywood.

 

[kdm31091]

Well, maybe with a nice degree and a nicer job then the ones I've considered I could afford rent in San Francisco. All of a sudden, I'm motivated. It's weird. I don't want to take big chances, like "maybe if I'm in a good location I can live as a hairstylist". I should take some of my highest-earning ideas (teacher, nurse) and put those to work!

However, due to my dislike of written, high-school-esque classes (I know, cannot be avoided), I want to know, what are some more hands on 4 year majors that earn a decent salary? I'd like to avoid math, so something hands on, or at least with less math/more english is good.

 

[LeftCoaster]

Well, maybe with a nice degree and a nicer job then the ones I've considered I could afford rent in San Francisco. All of a sudden, I'm motivated. It's weird. I don't want to take big chances, like "maybe if I'm in a good location I can live as a hairstylist". I should take some of my highest-earning ideas (teacher, nurse) and put those to work!

However, due to my dislike of written, high-school-esque classes (I know, cannot be avoided), I want to know, what are some more hands on 4 year majors that earn a decent salary? I'd like to avoid math, so something hands on, or at least with less math/more english is good.

And with San Francisco, you won't need a car but, rent will be even higher than Southern California.
It's good that you're getting motivated and really think of the degree as part of the check off list to get a good job. It'll be some short term sacrifices for long term gains. Also, when you are looking at salaries that people make, remember to pay attention to what starting salaries are.

 

[kdm31091]

I think education would be a more suitable major since it's less math and less science. Nursing is obviously more math and science. Although I like both, teachers do have pretty nice benefits, a great schedule, etc, which makes up for the supposedly "not great" salary. I understand the salary is pretty average (30-45k ish for elementary), but still, the benefits look like they make up for it.

My other reasoning is that it cannot be NEARLY as hard as I think. Of course it requires work and effort, but so does anything. If so many people have degrees - there's no reason it's "too hard" for me. 2 extra years put in for a bachelor's means so much more then an associate's (according to research an associate's is basically worth crap, which I didn't consider as much as I should have). A bachelor's is muuuuch better.

 

[MyGoofy26]

I think education would be a more suitable major since it's less math and less science. Nursing is obviously more math and science. Although I like both, teachers do have pretty nice benefits, a great schedule, etc, which makes up for the supposedly "not great" salary. I understand the salary is pretty average (30-45k ish for elementary), but still, the benefits look like they make up for it.

If you want to get into medical, you can find teaching hospitals where entire programs are hosted onsite. My aunt is an x-ray tech (something also high in demand - she's constantly getting postcards in the mail from hospitals offering a few thousand dollars in signing bonuses) and got her Associates through the hospital she worked in. They did have book work, but being in the hospital they were so much more hands on than traditional colleges. She worked in that department for 15 years as a secretary before she went for her degree and said that there was a HUGE difference between those who went to school in the hospital and those went in traditional classes because the ones in regular colleges have had little patient contact.

So something to think about. Since you clearly aren't feeling like you're up to certain classes, this may be a way to get the degree where those classes aren't the biggest part of your learning experience. . the hands on stuff is.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I think the OP needs to settle on something and run with it. Nurse, teacher, barber, real estate agent, McDonald's employee, doctor, disney employee...whatever. Obviously lots of time if you're young. But don't try making decisions about how to do things until you know WHAT you want to do, KWIM?

You've got to find your bliss before you can follow it.

Good luck!

 

[kdm31091]

Well, I like ALL of the ideas, which is my problem. All of the careers sound good and exciting and suited for me.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Well, I like ALL of the ideas, which is my problem. All of the careers sound good and exciting and suited for me.

That's why you have to figure out what you want to do. THEN, you can work on getting there. Give it a little time, you'll figure it out. Don't plan any moves across the country unless you are sure that's what you want.

If you're going to do what makes you happy (which you should), you have to first decide what that is.

That's my advice, anyway.

 

[kdm31091]

No matter what career I end up choosing, I'm moving to Florida or California regardless. I hate almost everything about Delaware, and my family supports my ideas to move to either Florida or Cali. My other state choices behind Florida and Cali are Colorado, North Carolina and Texas. But my main places are Florida and Cali. So I already know I'll be moving.

As for careers, each one has pros and cons. Barbers have way more hands on education at specialized schools but low salaries, unless I'm lucky. Nurses have high salaries, but lots of math/science. Teachers have decent salaries with a nice schedule, but there are a lot of odds and ends when becoming a teacher. Realtors don't have regular paychecks. So I don't know which one to pick.

I used to love playing school. I love playing with hair. Housing shows intrigue me. Medical books and shows are interesting also. See what I mean? I have a lot of interests.

 

[schmitty]

You can always be a teacher and a realator or barber on the side and vacations so you continously get some money.

 

[kimmar067]

No matter what career I end up choosing, I'm moving to Florida or California regardless. I hate almost everything about Delaware, and my family supports my ideas to move to either Florida or Cali. My other state choices behind Florida and Cali are Colorado, North Carolina and Texas. But my main places are Florida and Cali. So I already know I'll be moving.

As for careers, each one has pros and cons. Barbers have way more hands on education at specialized schools but low salaries, unless I'm lucky. Nurses have high salaries, but lots of math/science. Teachers have decent salaries with a nice schedule, but there are a lot of odds and ends when becoming a teacher. Realtors don't have regular paychecks. So I don't know which one to pick.

I used to love playing school. I love playing with hair. Housing shows intrigue me. Medical books and shows are interesting also. See what I mean? I have a lot of interests.

...why don't you speak to your guidance counselor...they can 'steer' you in the right direction, or, you could take an aptitude test, based upon your interests, to help you decide upon a good career best suited for you....

 

[kdm31091]

I'm doing an aptitute test online now. I realize it's not as official as a "real" test but it gives me instant feedback.

Oddly, the test said I would do best in a food career. That's not totally unexpected, but a little different from what i thought.

According to stats, a pastry chef makes more then a "normal" chef, and considering Orlando is full of resorts, it could work out.

 

[kennancat]

I used to love playing school. I love playing with hair. Housing shows intrigue me. Medical books and shows are interesting also. See what I mean? I have a lot of interests.

I would add that I used to stress about what would be my ideal career or job. I finally figured it out - there isn't one I've got a bachelors and a masters, but I certainly don't feel like I'm going to stay in my current career path forever. I'll do this for probably a total of 10 years, and then consider going into a slightly different career direction, but still building on the skills I've learned. A lot of things, like how to conduct yourself professionally, manage projects, and work on teams, etc. transfer into any job. Don't feel too stressed about having to pick the perfect career right now. Do what you like, figure out exactly what it is you like about it (is it helping people, being detail-oriented, problem-solving, etc.) and then find a job where the work is different but still has those key things you like. Nursing is in high demand, so that's one where you could get an R.N. and then work as a traveling nurse (say, to Florida, Colorado, San Francisco) while you decide if you want to go into hairdressing or food. You could even try something different while keeping your license active and then have it to fall back on if your plans don't work out. Good luck with whatever you decide and make sure you avoid going into debt - that will hold you back from being able to do what you really want in life!

 

[kdm31091]

I know I change my mind alot (which is okay at this stage; this thread was meant as a launchpad for my ideas and comments on those) but I'm starting to think pastry chef isn't half bad. There are plenty of places to be employed. The salaries are higher then conventional chefs. I think it would be fun. People like the deserts I make now - perhaps I do have talent for it.

And if I totally crumble as a pastry chef, I can ALWAYS go back and pick something else!

 

[kdm31091]

So, a pastry chef has good potential in Orlando/surrounding area right?

 

[Cool-Beans]

sure, why not? Pastry chef sounds excellent. You might even be able to learn on the job?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I forgot one career I was considering: realtor. So between realtor, barber or pastry chef - my 3 major career ideas - I don't see what I would go to college for? It would be a specialized thing at a specialized place, I would think. I'm not sure that a realtor lisence means crap to Disney; ditto for a barber lisence or pastry chef certificate/degree. I really like Florida. I wish it was more affordable.

If I decide to say "forget Disney" and just do my career in another Florida city, which cities would you recommend? I'd like to avoid southern Florida (the hurricanes hit there more).

Funny you say that--2004--they hit Central Florida the most--4 times!.

Anywhere on the Eastern Seaboard and the gulf is susceptible to hurricanes. Florida just gets a bad rap b/c of 2004.

For real estate--you do need licensing and must take courses in the state of Florida and then pass an exam. I don't recall how long that takes though.

I know that some will go to college for business (some schools have real estate tracks in the business school) before venturing into real estate.

I think Northern Florida in general is a bit cheaper--but it depends on where you are. My brother teaches school in Jacksonville, but bought a house just across the state line in Georgia b/c housing was cheaper.

For a pastry chef--you would really benefit from attending culinary school...then you might have a shot of becoming one for Disney even. Unless you have a natural talent and some capital to start--culinary school would allow you the opportunity to learn the trade (you would actually learn the other culinary skills as well) and then get a job doing that.

For Disney they do have the DVC which I believe they need licensed realtors for--so a license isn't necessarily squat when it comes to that. But for most professional positions within the company (i.e. nonmanagement and non-theme park/resorts)--they require the education and/or experience before employment consideration.

Anyway--you may look into taking a test (don't know what it is called) that helps fit possible careers with your personality/ambitions. Your three career choices seem to not be too close together, so a profile might help you figure out what you might enjoy doing.