Quote:
Originally Posted by q1we3
Yes, you are beating a dead horse. Why did you plan on moving back to California when you have been hearing for 4 years that full time positions are very rare? You act so surprised but knew all along how bad the job market in Cali is. I am from a big city that is saturated with ODs there is no way I am even bothering to look for a job there.
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I actually didn't plan on moving back to California, I was set on finding a job in Queens, New York (where btw is still a pretty populated/ oversaturated area but finding a job there was nowhere near as gruesome as it is in in so cal) where I know have a number of places I could join as an associate or somewhere upstate or anywhere that has a good full time position. I was being as flexible as I could and was open to all opportunities. But I don't think it should be as impossible as it is now to find a full time job in southern California. I came back because of the position I was miraculously offered which does not start for a awhile so in the meantime I've been looking hard to see what I could do and to get a feel for the job market, which obviously was a disappointment. I know if I'm complaining about the situation I am at then I should just relocate somewhere far far away and deal with it. Again I'm aware, and for a long time, that it's extremely competitive in the so cal area and I had every intention of not being back here again, but I have to say that even though I'm making much less now than I should (or potentially could) be, I'm definitely a happier person in this environment and working 6 to 7 days doesn't seem all that bad, yet. It is definitely not an option for long term, and with age comes more responsibility I'm in my late 20s with no dependents so I'm as open and flexible as can be, but I just can't imagine having to deal with some of the type of issues I see now when I'm in my 30s/40s, there's simply no time and flexibility for that. I did not realize how much happier I am being in southern California, until I actually started living here again. Again, even if I am happy where I work, I know that if the right opportunity doesn't arise I am ready to pick up my bags and go to where opportunity knocks. I think this is especially hard to consider for people who have families to have make this type of adjustment just to make ends meet for their family. Again, given our extensive education I don't think new graduates should be faced with joblessness, almost with certainty, and be forced to move to a more 'underserved community', which doesn't exist. You'll hear people say oh just go to Fresno or go into Riverside County and there'll be plenty of good paying jobs, or at least just jobs. It's not that easy, it's not that if you're WILLING to move then you will be blessed with work. The reality is it's more likely than impossible that you'll land something in places like Apple Valley or Temecula, part time. The only days that employers want to hire for are Saturdays, and maybe they'll stick in a day or there to test the waters out. There are 4 OD offices + 1 optical that opened within a 2 mile radius of where I live in the past 5 years, that's right FIVE and unless every resident in town get a yearly eye exam growing that business is going to get more tough each year, instead of the other way around as it should be. Next thing you know America's Worst will start opening its doors here, or maybe they already have. Just a matter of time.
here's the pattern that I am/ my peers are seeing in california, with no residency:
graduate --> 1 year out of school: work for commercial part time, fill in schedule with random private doctor days if you find any --> 2nd year hope that you'll find an associate job somewhere that will give you more hours and leading to partnership--> 3rd freak out a little, weddings to plan maybe, putting some pressure on the associate job --> 4th year take a big leap and open your office cold, which probably result in regret and worries for the next 6+ years; or just stick with your schedule of commercial/private days since it's probably more solid by now --> 5th to infinity maybe something good will happen, most likely not. same routine for the rest of your career.
if you do residency, Add one year to education, Add one year to fighting for jobs in academia, VAs, which all will pay you very very little in the beginning, or work for OMD.
sounds pretty bleak but, so far looks like that's how it is for a good chunk of people.