I guess the question for me (which I don’t know) is is there or is there not an unemployment or underemployment problem in San Diego? ,I’m not seeing massive hiring, but I’m not seeing massive layoffs either (at least not in tech). We lost of a few people recently because they decided to pursue startups. So things can’t look that bad… I don’t know really at this point.
What’s other’s people’s employment experience here? Is there a jobs problem in SD?[/quote]
My employer did layoffs pretty heavily last year and the year before. I’m still in touch with a few effected folks. One is back in school because he couldn’t find work, and 2 are doing contract work, less than full time.
My husband continues to be part time because there isn’t quite enough work for full time. Architecture continues to be less than booming on the commercial side.
All of this suggests underemployment is an issue.[/quote]
UG, if you don’t mind me asking, how much do you think your friends/colleagues that are in this situation are underemployed by in terms of % off from full time income.
Also, out of the people you know, what percentage of people are in this category versus at a full time gig with relatively same salary (+- 10% lets say)….
We know that two years ago, it was pretty bad, expecially for MOT/MMI people. Have most of these people recovered already, or are most of these people still underemployed/unemployed? And it’s about people here in SD, right? Not at other MOT/MMI locations… I’m mainly interested in the “pulse” here in SD… I’ve been kinda out of touch lately, so I haven’t been following as closely…[/quote]
The guy who’s back in school is changing careers, his age was a huge factor in why he couldn’t find a job. No one wants to hire a 55ish high tech employee who’s spent 20 years at the same company. Another friend has strung together a series of contract/consulting gigs. But there are gaps between them. She’s cut her living expenses to the bone because her savings are gone after 2 years of this. The third friend is working half time at a much lower hourly rate… and glad to be working.
They have in common that they are all over 45. Younger friends were able to find new gigs easier. Ageism is a killer in this recession. Since I’m not young it terrifies me.[/quote]
Thanks for sharing this info. Didn’t realize that it’s still that rough for some out there. Unfortunately, I have to admit, I don’t see too many techies over 45’s that are still hands on pure techies. I think eventually, I’m going to have to call it quits early…all my docs are telling me I have a long road ahead, and I don’t see myself busting 60-80 hrs a week on a full time + any side gigs moving forward, definitely not in the near future…
