need a Graphic Designer?

[beachmouse]

Me, nope. But in the interest of full disclosure, my husband teaches graphic design at the college level down here. He doesn't freelance much though, just a couple of military projects here and there. And I've heard many a rant from him about how people expect to pay fast food wages for designers down here.

The only exception really does tend to be the military down here. If you're able to get a security clearance, and are in the right place at the right time, I know people who make $50K in civilian jobs putting together in-house magazines for the Air Force, or taking pictures and doing presentations of Giant Things Blowing Up.

 

[BlueFox181]

Oh, I don't think I was being unfair- just was stating that it's only been negative advice from beachmouse, but that I had gotten help from others...

BUT I do agree that's it's hard to find jobs- the being the whole point of this post in the first place.

I might have to look into that military thing after all... thanks!

 

[beachmouse]

When you know people who would love to work in the field, but end up waiting tables because the money's so much better, it's hard to stay positive about it. I really wish it was a better market, but it's an area that's commonly massively cheaped out on down here.

 

[BlueFox181]

Which of course then I have to ask- do the servers make decent money down there? I hear most commute. That's no good.

 

[beachmouse]

If you time the move right, you can sometimes find reasonably affordable in Destin, which has a fair number of apartments, tonwhomes, and inland condos. Server pay varies, but in some restaurants, you can do very well. I can remember talking to one of the servers in McGuire's and she said she was making more money there thasn she would using her degree in elementary education. (She had a military spouse, so benefits didn't matter so much)

 

[BlueFox181]

when would you say is the right time to move down there? I might venture down jobless and just hope it all works out. I am just not a huge fan of serving tables and I hate seeing that $90k piece of paper go to waste...

 

[beachmouse]

I know how that goes. Since we've moved down here, in 1998, I've spent a total of nine months with a job in my degree field (which turned into the job from hell) and seven years in a job where I pretended to know something about IT for a paycheck anyone in a bigger city would have laughed at. I've just got the utterly wrong personality to work in the restuarant biz.

From a housing perspective, late July/early August might work out well. Whoever didn't get a tennant during the usual May/June post school year shuffle might be willing to cut a little bit of a deal on the rent at that point.

This really is a great place to live in so many ways, but the employment market here requires a fair amount of flexibility and creativity until you start making local connections and find your niche. There are good jobs here, but they often require some patience and networking to get to.

 

[BlueFox181]

I am plotting to move in March when my lease is up but maybe it'll be worth it to come down early.

I honestly don't have the best personality for serving either. Too many people don't know how to eat at a restaurant. Bad tips, people scamming for free things, I hated it. BUT it was great money.

At least in the meantime I shall be down every 2 months till I find a job

June 26-30 this next time... I can't wait!

 

[beachmouse]

March is good in the sense it's pretty easy to find short term work then when businesses go into an 'I'm overrun with spring breakers' panic, and there might be design work to be had for realtors gearing up for the spring selling season.

 

[BlueFox181]

Yeah! I got an interview for my impending trip- and YES- it's in graphic design!

Persistence pays off...