Hello Urban Ohioans,

 

My planning and landscape architecture company here in Florida is crumbling along with the state's, and nation's, economy. I got laid off today along with many others. I have a planning degree from UC and a few years of experience as an urban designer focusing on TOD, TND and infill. I had my dream job!

 

I'm considering coming back to Cincinnati, which is the only city that I really love and consider home. If anyone can think of any job leads, prospects, anything, let me know. And if you're a future graduate of planning or are in the same boat I am, I feel for you. In my opinion, both professional and personal, this "recession" is really a day of reckoning for the United States.

 

 

Best of luck to you.

I've heard of a few young people moving back to Cleveland because their jobs on the coasts or down south got axed. I suspect they moved to be back closer to their parents (like, in their basement!). You can always get jobs. They just might not be as glamorous as you'd want them to be....

I've heard of a few young people moving back to Cleveland because their jobs on the coasts or down south got axed. I suspect they moved to be back closer to their parents (like, in their basement!). You can always get jobs. They just might not be as glamorous as you'd want them to be....

 

Civvik, so sorry about your loss.  Ohio will welcome you back with open arms.

 

KJP you hit that on the head.  We're doing a "ripple" affect study and it shows that many young people are leaving the coast.  Specifically, LA, San Diego, NYC, Boston, Baltimore, Seattle, S. Florida, ATL and Charlotte.  I don't know how San Fran and DC we're not on the list.  I think the economy has hurt suburban/urban DC & Baltimore more than DC proper.

 

It appears moving "closer to family" is the number one reason people gave to leave their current city of residence.

This is the "upside" of Great Lakes cities like Cleveland experiencing the foreclosure/credit crisis worst/first than most cities. We've already been through it. I won't predict that we've been through the worst of it, but there hasn't been an economic crash in Cleveland like what's happened on the coasts and down south in the past six months. Those cities have seen some wicked extremes lately, whereas Cleveland and other Great Lakes cities have been muddling along since before 9/11. I haven't seen sudden trauma here.

Sorry to hear...keep your head up and start advertising yourself!

 

While I don't have any specific leads for you, I was looking at the Area Temps website the other day as I was seeing "if I couldn't find anything else, what could I get through a temp agency".  And while nothing was overly exciting, there were some decent leads that could get you in the door somewhere, especially if you were heading down the "I'll move home and live with my parents for a while until I can get my feet back under me" angle.

 

And in the anecdotal FWIW note of the day, my brother did exactly that after college.  Had to resort to a temp agency, eventually they hired him full time, and next thing you knew he was manager of the department.  So it is possible...

Same with my sister. She quit her sucky job, worked some temp jobs and ended working a temporary job at a Cleveland TV station. She loved it. Turns out they loved her and kept her full-time. That was more than a decade ago. As it happens, her job was phased out this past fall. But with the experience she gained, she was able to get a similar job at a certain professional baseball team! She loves baseball so this is her dream job.

 

Point is, despite the best laid plans, you never know where life will take you. I graduated with a degree in public administration in the recession of the early 1990s. I've been a newspaper reporter ever since. Go figure....

Watch out with some of those temp deals.  I encountered a situation where the client company wanted to hire me full time, but the contract I had to sign to get in there attached a $12,000 fee to any direct hire, if I hadn't worked a full year as a temp or something.  Some sort of revenue guarantee for the agency. 

 

Another time, I told the Area Temps in Lakewood I was looking for downtown or west side, so they gave me E 69th & Quincy ("that's downtown, right?").  If I turned that down, despite my initial request, they wanted nothing to do with me.  I took the job, and that place also wanted to cut out the middleman, since they were paying 12/hour for me to get 7/hour.  No dice.  I quit when they found a dead body out front, her shoes laid out nicely beside her.  So ask about that sort of thing whenever you deal with agencies.

I just heard from a friend today that his brother got laid off from his job in Tampa, Florida. He, his wife and two kids moved down there about a year ago for a permanent job. Here he was only working as a contract person in the same line of work. Anyway, they still haven't sold their home here and if he can't find something fast they'll be moving back into their old house here in Ohio. Good luck to you!

 

On a side note. I previously worked for Delphi Automotive, saw the writing on the wall, took a buyout and went back to school. Well, i graduated w/my BBA in Management in December and now i too am looking for a job in this crappy economy. Sadly $10/hr is sounding pretty good right now.............disgusting!

Damn, very sorry to hear Civvik.  These are indeed scary times in our field. 

Hey man,

 

Sorry to hear about this.  I know how you feel, dream job and everything.  Just keep trucking.

I know a couple people that just lost their architecture jobs in Chicago.  Really sucks for those like me graduating soon.  I have an undergrad degree in architecture which basically won't help me at the moment in this economy, and soon a graduate degree in planning with a focus in urban design and transportation planning.  Looks like I got transit planning as my last hope.  Sorry you lost your dream job civvik, I hope you can find a new, and hopefully better replacement, soon.

Not another casualty!

Sorry Civvik.  Trust me when I say (and you know this), I know how you feel.

Civvik let me first say this, I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL.  This is for anyone interested or in need, the firm I am now with (after looking for months) is looking for new telemarketers.  It is IT/telecom related but don't be put off because it is not that hard to learn what you need to know to complete the job.  If anyone is in need of some work and would like some information I would be happy to recommend you to the HR head.  The firm is based on East 128th and Larchmere but you can do it from home if you have internet and a phone.  No this is not a scheme, and I apologize to the Admin because I know we are not supposed to post things like this, but if you need work and are willing to try something new, drop me a line.

Eh, you can post it.  It isn't like "Hi, I'm Johnny and I go to University.  I can help you.  Call me now at #555-555-5555!  For a new EXCITING job!"

^ Shouldn't that be filed under the Should prostitution be legal? thread???

^ Shouldn't that be filed under the Should prostitution be legal? thread???

 

Only if the number is 976-CAL-LCDM

Or 1-800-HEL-LNAW

Man I remember the days when getting a temp job (between jobs) was a breeze.  Walk into any factory and they'd hire you and put you on the line right there for $20/hour.  2 years later production is down and these jobs don't exist. 

as long as the recession continues, we can ride that population wave of formerly-employed-20somethings-moving-in-with-the-'rents up to the 2010 census

 

take that, projected loss of 2 electoral votes

Just to brighten things up a little bit - I just signed my offer letter and I'll be starting June 29th following graduation in early June.

Just to brighten things up a little bit - I just signed my offer letter and I'll be starting June 29th following graduation in early June.

Congrats.  Lets hope things dont go sour at the company you've signed with and they don't have to rescind the offer.

Just to brighten things up a little bit - I just signed my offer letter and I'll be starting June 29th following graduation in early June.

 

Congratulations!  You're starting, and I'm trying to retire!

I know a couple people that just lost their architecture jobs in Chicago.

 

Add me to that list.  This economy sucks...I can't even complain about being stuck on jury duty right now, it pays at least :cry:

Just to brighten things up a little bit - I just signed my offer letter and I'll be starting June 29th following graduation in early June.

 

Awesome! Where at>

Just to brighten things up a little bit - I just signed my offer letter and I'll be starting June 29th following graduation in early June.

 

Huge news, congrats. Are you staying in town?

Just to brighten things up a little bit - I just signed my offer letter and I'll be starting June 29th following graduation in early June.

 

Huge news, congrats. Are you staying in town?

 

I'll be on the road 4 days a week, 52 weeks a year.

Just to brighten things up a little bit - I just signed my offer letter and I'll be starting June 29th following graduation in early June.

 

Huge news, congrats. Are you staying in town?

 

I'll be on the road 4 days a week, 52 weeks a year.

 

What field?

I'm a 'Community Development Planner'

 

In a nutshell I'll be traveling around setting up community development departments in new contract cities, and then providing zoning review for those cities when they need help in an overflow format.

^ That's awesome, Randy ... Congrats!

I'm a 'Community Development Planner'

 

In a nutshell I'll be traveling around setting up community development departments in new contract cities, and then providing zoning review for those cities when they need help in an overflow format.

 

Cool.  Is this your dream job?

 

I don't envy you.  I remember when I was traveling back and forth from Cleveland to Seattle or Cleveland and Atlanta.

 

You'll become fast friends with the TSA, car rental and hotel folks in various cities.

I used to love traveling when I first started doing it.  After about 18 months it wore off.  After a while I was just miserable.  I felt like every time I came home I had enough time to unpack, do laundry, and repack and then i left again.  I really don't think I'd ever want to go back to that lifestyle.  On the flipside, particuarly in this economy... It enabled me to save a sh*t ton of money, as you spend most of the time living off of someone else's dime.

I used to love traveling when I first started doing it.  After about 18 months it wore off.  After a while I was just miserable.  I felt like every time I came home I had enough time to unpack, do laundry, and repack and then i left again.  I really don't think I'd ever want to go back to that lifestyle.  On the flipside, particuarly in this economy... It enabled me to save a sh*t ton of money, as you spend most of the time living off of someone else's dime.

 

Yep that's the plus side, if you're going to a nice city.  I got so sick of Seattle and its depressing weather, among other things.  If I had to go South it was to ATL or Houston and ........

 

 

 

Like the Mayor, it wore off and I couldn't wait to get gain enough experience to apply for a position on the Cleveland PR team.  The Cleveland folks traveled to London, Brazil, Japan, Australia regularly.  When the company pays you can live well.

I don't envy you.  I remember when I was traveling back and forth from Cleveland to Seattle or Cleveland and Atlanta.

 

I look forward to being able to travel on the companies dime while I'm young and still able to travel like that.  Definitely could not do that long-term, but I think it's a great way to see the country, meet different people, and get lots of experience quickly.  So by those measures, it is a great first job to have.

I don't envy you.  I remember when I was traveling back and forth from Cleveland to Seattle or Cleveland and Atlanta.

 

I look forward to being able to travel on the companies dime while I'm young and still able to travel like that.  Definitely could not do that long-term, but I think it's a great way to see the country, meet different people, and get lots of experience quickly.  So by those measures, it is a great first job to have.

 

Yeah, I totally agree.  It just gets tiresome and can wear on a relationship.  I wasn't away from home 4 days a week.  I was gone maybe 3 days every three weeks.  So I saw him every day except for those west coast trips.  Going south I was in the same timezone so I could I would only be gone one night.

 

Being in a relationship with a person who travels for work is a huge adjustment.  Now that I think about it, things might be different in this day and age.  Back in the 80's we didn't have cell phones, the internet, text messaging to keep in touch although it will still be an adjustment.

 

I say sight see, eat at great restaurants (although at an entry level, you'll probably have a per Diem budget) experience cities like a native then take your fiance to that city for a getaway weeken and she'll appreciate your knowledge of the area.

 

Will you be working in a certain territory?

I say sight see, eat at great restaurants (although at an entry level, you'll probably have a per Diem budget) experience cities like a native then take your fiance to that city for a getaway weeken and she'll appreciate your knowledge of the area.

 

Will you be working in a certain territory?

 

That is most definitely the plan.  They'll also fly me home each weekend, or if I'm somewhere cool, they'll fly her out to see me.  As for location it all depends on where we get contracts, but right now we're in south Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Colorado, and have a couple other areas on the horizon.

I hate traveling because I like my morning walk or bike ride to work more than the work itself.  I would actually walk instead of bike more if it didn't mean I had to get up 45 minutes earlier.  If the weather cooperates I go biking or take another walk almost every day after work.  You can't do that when you're traveling for work.  I was stranded in a suburban Tampa hotel last fall and went for a walk past the strip malls just to get outside and do something. 

I hate traveling because I like my morning walk or bike ride to work more than the work itself.  I would actually walk instead of bike more if it didn't mean I had to get up 45 minutes earlier.  If the weather cooperates I go biking or take another walk almost every day after work.  You can't do that when you're traveling for work.  I was stranded in a suburban Tampa hotel last fall and went for a walk past the strip malls just to get outside and do something. 

 

Thats the pitfall.  It's hard to make/keep personal routines.

 

Sometimes, I screw myself up with that.  I'll get out of the bed to do something and realize I can't do that in NY because the thing I wanted to do is in Cleveland.

 

and if you're in a different time zone, fagitaboutit!

Hate to nitpick, but could you all take the new employment celebration to a new or different thread?  Congrats Randy on your job, this is exciting, But this is distracting from the original topic.  It would be nice if people could offer some helpful advice and guidance since I'm sure there are numerous unemployed individuals reading this thread.

 

I'm hoping to compile a list of some job that i will post that will hopefully be helpful.

Hate to nitpick, but could you all take the new employment celebration to a new or different thread? Congrats Randy on your job, this is exciting, But this is distracting from the original topic. It would be nice if people could offer some helpful advice and guidance since I'm sure there are numerous unemployed individuals reading this thread.

 

I'm hoping to compile a list of some job that i will post that will hopefully be helpful.

 

Although congratulations to Randy, I agree that was hijacking the thread. Since I'm the one who made it. It was just strange to come check up on the thread and see it had become All About Uncle Rando's New Job. Why not just announce it in a new thread? It certainly deserves it.

 

Is anyone thinking of/trying to go back to school? I am looking at going back for a Master's, and taking the opportunity to think about a career change to teaching or even medicine. Not a lot of urban design work right now, especially for New Towns (which is where I was evolving to specialize in.) Florida apparently has between a 5 and 20 year supply of housing now, depending on the metro area.

 

 

 

 

Maybe a few bad years of hurricanes could really help Florida out (as long as no one dies).

Maybe a few bad years of hurricanes could really help Florida out (as long as no one dies).

 

I say, wipe FL off the map with the rest of the South!

Is anyone thinking of/trying to go back to school? I am looking at going back for a Master's, and taking the opportunity to think about a career change to teaching or even medicine. Not a lot of urban design work right now, especially for New Towns (which is where I was evolving to specialize in.) Florida apparently has between a 5 and 20 year supply of housing now, depending on the metro area.

 

I've been thinking about this the past few days.  My current thinking is that if I were to go to grad school, I'd go for a completely different field of study.  What that would be, I have no idea, as I've only wanted to do exactly what I'm doing.  The fragility of what you and I do in an economic downturn is disheartening. 

 

If I lost my job right now, I'd almost rather wait it out doing restaurant jobs or something until we see what the new economy will need when this is over.  I'd love for the outcome to be insatiable demand for total restructuring of American life, a complete overhaul of our built environment.  But I'm afraid that most will just want things back to the way they were, which will put us right back in the position we're in right now.

I'm about to send out a batch of resumes and cover letters next week.  I kind of doubt I'll get any bites before I graduate, so I may be thinking the same CiNYC.  Soon my current work study job will expire and I'll need to find something.  I don't care what.  If that means working at Taco bell with a masters degree, so be it.  I'll need to start paying off loans soon.

 

I just hope I'll find something before my lease runs out in late July.  It might mean I'll have to move back home with mom and dad! uh oh.....

"I'm starting to wonder if they don't want people with college degrees."

 

They want people who they know will be reliable for the long-term - they see degreed types as people who will bolt as soon as an opportunity arises.

Being over-qualified is just as bad as being under-qualified for the position that you are applying for.

Guys, getting a job waiting tables is a lot easier said than done. I've applied to a ton of those jobs and never get any callbacks. I've also applied for jobs as bouncers and barbacks and get nothing (that's part of the reason I'm getting jacked these days). Bouncer jobs are just about the best work you can hope to find in areas like Toledo.

 

You're far more likely to get replies from jobs in your field. Once you get a bachelor's degree, I think that's just the way it is. When I apply for television production jobs (I've got a degree from Scripps in video production), my ratio of callbacks and interviews is highest (though no one is hiring in Toledo, it's more networking and and soliciting on my part). When I apply for restaurant and bar jobs, I get nothing. I'm starting to wonder if they don't want people with college degrees. I'd have to imagine in the restaurant and bar business, all that matters is experience. I've never worked in that field before. All my experience is in retail and television production. And to tell you a horror story, I went for a retail management position against 600 people, and came in second place. Basically, a whole lot of work outside my field for nothing...I'm amazed they even considered me since I don't have a business degree (or minor)...

 

That's the best thing you can do and get a Mentor.  Even if you're not right for the job you've applied for an informal/Exploritory interview might open doors. 

 

"I'm starting to wonder if they don't want people with college degrees."

 

They want people who they know will be reliable for the long-term - they see degreed types as people who will bolt as soon as an opportunity arises.

 

Agreed.  Nor does an employer want a person to come in, get an advanced degree then bolt after 2 of obtaining the degree that the company has partially paid for.

 

Being over-qualified is just as bad as being under-qualified for the position that you are applying for.

Agreed.  I had job opening in DC and Chicago and there were folks who were Media Directors applying for a Publicists positions. The competition for jobs is fierce.

Not only that, there aren't very many degreed people working in restaurants and retail, and you don't fit in as well with the other people, which can be a big problem, teamwork-wise. 

In an ideal world, the built environment is something that is a point of pride and defining feature of our national identity. And in that, planners, architects, engineers, etc, would work in a fairly predictable environment that took the long view on both place-making and the investment of funds.

 

Oh well. I'm seriously considering getting an M. Ed. and becoming a social science/history teacher at the high school or community college level. One of my favorite things about planning is teaching people new ideas.

 

I'm almost 30. I've been a planner now for about 5 years, counting internships. Here are three things that really make me think, and you can interpret them as you like:

 

- I worked for the most radically urban department in my company, with truly brilliant principals who stake their careers on densification and walkability. They all live in single family detached homes in suburbs.

 

- In what was perhaps the perfect storm of pro-urban political and market forces in 2008, with gas prices exploding, the election of an urban liberal president, and an economic collapse (based on over-development) that necessitated a New-Deal spending package of 800 billion dollars, the ultimate outcome was giving about one percent of it to transit.

 

- I'd kind of like to have a back yard.