Whether you are a graduate or someone who is starting a career over again, one has to know the best and worst places to start a career. Following the decision regarding what you want to do in your career, that is probably the hardest question because it has far-fetched consequences. Especially for the latest generations as student loans are hitting record amounts. Back in the old days, your first gig was near the place you live. You would pick up some kind of experience and then move on to the greener pastures. Nowadays, with the advancement of modern technologies, graduates from Generation Z are more prepared to move away from home to find their first job.
The List of the best and worst places to start a career
Using a wide variety of data, it is possible to analyze and identify the best and the worst places to start a career. Numerous parameters should be taken into consideration before the final choice is finally made. According to a great majority of people and their experiences, these are the 10 best cities to start a career:
- Salt Lake City, UT
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Atlanta, GA
- Orlando, FL
- Austin, TX
- Minneapolis, MN
- Seattle, WA
- Raleigh, NC
- Boston, MA
- Denver, CO
Cities you most probably should avoid when starting your career are the following:
- Jackson, MS
- Newport News, VA
- Toledo, OH
- New Haven, CT
- Pearl City, HI
- Oxnard, CA
- Bridgeport, CT
- Hialeah, FL
- Montgomery, AL
- Shreveport, LA
The Decision – How to choose potential places to start a career?
A list is only a tool that will help you out when you answer all the important questions. Do you want to start your professional career in a place with most opportunities? Or are you perhaps more interested in social life and how you are going to spend your free time? If your focus is more career-oriented, you will look for a higher starting salary or promotion possibilities. Or everything needs to be balanced and equally important. Making the right choice looks impossible and intimidating. It doesn’t have to be like that.
There are many different angles of how you can approach this question. But, one thing is certain, you will have to research a bunch of things.
Research to identify the places to start a career you would like to consider
You will have to start with the costs of living and average salaries for a given city. That will help you out to find affordable housing. Also, you will be able to approach salary negotiations prepared and in the eyes of an employer that is always a plus. Not to mention that if you research carefully, you can find out if you need roommates and how fast can you be on your own.
Next, are there activities that match your lifestyle or are you willing to adapt to the city? It is important that the city offers locations where you can make professional and social connections. That way you can make friends and network at the same time. In fact, that is actually the best way to advance in your career.
Research what types of businesses and industries are growing in the selected city. This will help you determine if you will be able to achieve career growth.
Common mistakes
The biggest mistake young individuals can make is to believe that the first job after college defines their career path for the rest of their lives. Don’t think your career or even life is ruined if your first employer is not exactly how you imagined. Life is long, there is enough time for you to start over. And in this fast-paced reality even more than before.
So, relax, enjoy yourself and give yourself a couple of years to find where is the best place to put your skills to use. Don’t forget, you are inexperienced and I am sorry to break it to you, you don’t have a clue what are you good at. Your next job might be closer to that.
Responsible fiscal behavior
Stupid spending “habits” are your biggest enemy. Create a healthy habit of saving money early in your career. Planning for unplanned emergencies will grant you a lot of freedom in your life and professional career. Pay of your debts and loans on time, try not to have them as soon as possible. Later on, you will be free to take a chance on some business venture and retire earlier. On the other hand, you might be stuck on some job you don’t like because you need to stay liquid.
Sticking to the specific job title
This “rule” applies even when you start working. From company to company we can see many different positions that are actually the same, or positions that have the same names but have different job descriptions. Be smart and read job description and requirements carefully, it might tell you more than you think. Maybe, after all this, you decide you want to work from home.
Your first job is a great opportunity to experience something different. This is true, especially if you didn’t go far from the place where you grew up. Treat it as a big life adventure and a chance to grow and learn. Relocation is realistic and to move you will need a reliable moving company like the one at dorothyandmarthamoving.com. You will see that with professional assistance you can move easily whenever necessity or a desire comes up.
Other alternatives
China has to be on your list of best and worst places to start a career, along with Singapore if you are considering Asia.
On the other hand, you might consider starting your career in Europe, Asia or even Australia. Netherlands and Ireland are nice places to start in Europe, Amsterdam and Eindhoven are hidden gems. Berlin and London as old behemoths must be mentioned, with great lifestyles and a lot of job opportunities. On the north of Europe, you have Stockholm and if you are more for a warmer climate consider Lisbon, Barcelona, and Madrid. We simply have to mention northern Italy as well. Central Europe is on the rise as well, Prague, Budapest, and Belgrade are growing fast.
One last piece of advice, before you move anywhere to try to visit the city before accepting the business offer.