Entering a New World: Leaving Hawai’i
Hawai’i vs. The Mainland ~ A comparison of the Hawaiian Islands to the east coast of the U.S. mainlandArchive for IV.) Jobs and A Lack There Of
The Scarcity of Jobs in Hawai’i
There are jobs in Hawai’i. There is no doubt in my mind that you can find work! It’s not about whether there is work, but whether there is the work that you desire. Anyone can take up waitressing, secretarial duties, construction work etc., but can you find the career and stability that you’re seeking?
College graduates have higher aspirations. They want to become something and use their degrees they worked hard to earn (and paid a ton of money for), well at least most of them. But are there really opportunities out there for you?
I am currently not living at home, Hawai’i, (where I would love to be) because I want a career in the field of journalism and the chances of that happening (from entry level) are extremely low in comparison to most mainland locations.
I am not saying that if you want to work just to make money, survive and love where you live, you can’t do that. You can! But, for me, I want to love all aspects of my life; where I live, who I’m with and what I do.
The reality of living in Hawai’i is that it is an island. The resources are limited, which means, so are the opportunities.
Opportunities vs. Setbacks
Everyone who isn’t living under a rock knows that the economy isn’t doing so hot especially with the fall of some of the ‘greats’ on Wall Street.
In Hawai’i, it has always been a struggle to find good work or a worthwhile career. Many qualified recent college graduates living in Hawai’i are in more of a slump than their fellow peers living in the mainland.
I graduated with my Bachelor’s in Journalism from a mainland college. My intentions have always been to carve out a new life in the mainland. People ask; Why did you leave Hawai’i? Assuming the perfection of the paradise isles means beautiful beaches, tanned bodies and trees that grow money.
Well, here’s a reality check, work there is scarce, especially for grads who intend to fulfill a career in the journalism field. Now, I don’t know how marketable other career choices are, but I do know that you have to be better than your average graduate to land gainful employment in most fields. I also thought that the hotel business would be a rather abundant market, but unless you speak fluent Japanese or have outstanding experience, even the hotel industry can be more competitive than anywhere else. Read the rest of this entry »
