Computer related jobs

Robert,

A better option might be to find an applications development job in the states that allows for full-time tele-commuting. Then you'll get paid stateside wages which are likely to be substantially more than any comparable job in the V.I.

I am currently speaking with my employer to see if that would be an option, but it is not looking good. I currently lead projects which require way too many meetings to get things done. I would not mind moving away from all the chaos, but unfortunatly there is nothing else I really know how to do 🙁

Thanks for the response, though. I do greatly appreciate it.

Robert

I am also an applications development software engineer (java, perl, cold fusion, .net, pl/sql) and have for years resisted the career path into project lead and management type roles for the very reason you've stated.

At 48 years old I have no ego when it comes to reporting to people younger than I. In fact the guy I currently report to is 27 years old. My goal has always to remain technical (and up to date) because I've always felt that my options were more numerous in terms of available work and work locations.

Granted, I could be making more money but I do pretty well as it is and I'm allowed to telecommute full-time. Stress is pretty much non-existent because not only do I enjoy what I do, I'm good enough at it to get my projects done well within stated estimates. My dream is to buy a boat and spend time traveling on it during parts of the year. The only restriction is that I'll need broadband connectivity where ever I go. Cellular technology will allow me to do that now - with greater coverage in the upcoming years.

I've got to believe there are companies out there that could use your skills and allow you to telecommute full-time. Maybe not in the beginning, but after you've established a trust relationship with them. I currently work for an aerospace company, so you might want to start your search with large corporations since I think they're more likely to be flexible in terms of telecommuting.

Good luck.

I do .NET, ColdFusion, PERL and SQL programming. I may have to build a relationship with another employer to allow for telecommute, simply Convergys (who I work with currently) does not allow for engineers in my position to telecommute. It would be nice to keep a 6 figure salary and move to the VI, but I am sure that is not happening.

Did you find the telecommuting position before your initial move, or were you already on the island? For the past few months I have tried to find positions that were open solely to telecommuting, but I have had no luck at all. They all seem to want someone on premises. I really do not mind a pay cut or the like, as long as I have enough to live off of, that is all I really care about anyway. I am sure you know what I mean.

Robert

Actually, I currently live in Florida. I grew up in St. Thomas and left for good in my early twenties when it became apparent that computer jobs were not going to be plentiful.

I do return to the V.I. at LEAST a couple of times a year but I've become disenchanted enough to know that I could not live there year-round. Don't get me wrong, if I could find a sweet deal on a place in St. John I'd live there in a heartbeat for at least 3 or 4 months out of the year.

Today I work for Lockheed Martin Enterprise Information Services. While other parts of the corporation do not allow for telecommuting, EIS is very progressive in that respect. There is currently one guy on my team who can't seem to stay in one location very long and has just moved out to California to give it a try. I believe the policy states that you must work on location for one year before being eligible for telecommuting - and then the customer as well as your management must agree that the job/task would not suffer.

You might want to visit www.lockheedmartin.com and navigate to their employment site. They post job openings there. Even if there isn't anything available now that's a good match it couldn't hurt to have your resume on file. If you're flexible enough EIS has locations all over the country. If you're willing to move to get your foot in the door then your options may open up some.

We are currently recruiting for .net developers in St Croix. For more details check out our careers section at www.CalabashTechnologies.com

Ahhh, I spoke with Lockheed about 1-2 years back, but did not move on it. How do you like it there? Are you at the Tampa location? I am in Florida as well, in Jacksonville. What made you leave St. Thomas for Florida?

Robert

Ouch. Robert, you opening up a whole can o'worms there m'son!

But I'll allow Mr. Kurpiers to respond in due course and try to explain it all to you. Suffice it to say that it's all a very complicated issue and actually nothing that a newbie need be concerned about because newbies come and go like the wind. Cheers dear!

I've been with Lockheed 20+ years. So yes, I like working there.

Technically I'm at the Oviedo location (since that's where my house is) but I report to the Orlando location.

Why did I leave St. Thomas? For the same reason most college-bound students leave the V.I. - to attend school stateside. Although in my case I wound up returning to St. Thomas and attended the College of the Virgin Islands (now called the University of The Virgin Islands) for three years. When I finally figured out what I wanted to do in life (computers) I left C.V.I. and got my computer degree at the University of South Florida (C.V.I. did not have a computer-related program at that time).

Why did I not return to St. Thomas after getting my degree? As I already mentioned, computer-related jobs aren't exactly numerous in the V.I. (Calabash Technologies nonwithstanding).

In reality though, people leave the V.I. after living there for a number of years for the same reason people move to the V.I. after living in the states for a number of years. In other words, looking for something different. I often tell people that I'm too spoiled by the decadence of stateside living to return to the V.I. There are just too many conveniences and too much entertainment stimuli available in the states that you don't get in the V.I. There are pluses and minses to both living situations. It all depends on whose perspective from which you're viewing.

Like STT Resident wrote: "...it's all a very complicated".

You almost sound as if you a) don't like newbies and b) don't want them on your island. This is a forum for them, "cheers, dear"