Ashley Rizzotto joined the Office of Career Development in June 2017 as a full time Career Advisor. Rizzotto works with current undergraduate students, graduate students and alumni to ensure the confidence and success of those she meets with.
Every year, newly graduated students have dreams of moving across the country and starting a successful career in busy, exciting cities such as New York, Miami, Denver, Seattle, Boston and San Francisco. This is due to demographic changes and diverse, emerging industries developing overnight. Another reason for long-distance career exploration is that a student may simply want to experience a new area that differs from their hometown or college.
However, before buying the plane ticket or packing the U-Haul, there are a few steps that students should take.
Research the city before committing
It’s important, especially when pursuing your first full-time position, to research its financial reasonability. Look into the average salary for jobs in your industry and see how they compare to the cost of living in your potential new city. This can help with your decision making. Some items to research include: the cost of living in the new location, average starting salaries and benefits for both you and your partner/family.
Take the time to map out a budget sheet for your anticipated expenses including monthly bills, costs related to your commute and your basic necessities. The Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, Glassdoor.com and Onetonline.org all provide tools to estimate the minimum salary you’ll need to live comfortably.
Choose your “non-negotiables”
Create a list of your non-negotiables. Include the essential people, places and things you absolutely need to be comfortable living anywhere in the world. It’s smart to keep in mind your values as you plan what you need nearby. If one of your core values is to stay fit and active, you may want a location where hiking and club sports are easily accessible. It’s a good idea to scope out the locations that will impact your day-to-day experience, from grocery stores to barber shops, to ensure you have everything you need.
Large shopping centers are one of many ways to determine how busy and populated an area is. If it’s feasible, take a trip to the area or connect with locals to find out some of the pros and cons of living in the area you are considering. The combination of financial feasibility and value-inspired research will help you achieve balance while adjusting to a new home.
Conduct the long-distance search
Once you’ve honed in on the areas you’d like to live in, start applying for jobs there and network to find connections in your industry. Keep in mind that if you are aiming for a popular destination like Los Angeles, New York City or Boston, local applicants are considered before out of state applicants. If you have relatives local to the area, consider using their address when filling out your applications. Don’t fret if you are unable to provide a local address; continue applying and leveraging your network to reach your dream destination.
Whether you are moving across the state or across the country, it’s important to keep your financial and emotional needs in mind as you begin to interview and consider job offers.
PHOTO CAPTION: (For headshot, if needed) Prior to joining the Office of Career Development, Rizzotto held roles in Career Services, Orientation Services, and Health & Wellness Education.
