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Well it looks like this is all really going to happen. The man we sold our house to called today and his financing is confirmed and it looks like we close towards the end of September. We have a "vacation" already planned, paid for and non-refundable to Barbados from 10/17 to 10/26, so we will go straight to St. Thomas from there. As plans go now.
I worked at Emory University for about 13+ years as Head of Human Resources for the School of Medicine. I was responsible for all HR functions for that school, hiring professional (faculty), doctors, nurses, secretaries, janitors, you name it. And of course all the HR stuff that follows that. Prior to HR in the School of Medicine I worked for the Exec VP of the University in the financial arena. I also was the event coordinator for both the EXEC staff and the School of Medicine. I coordinated all the parties/functions etc. from 10 to 1500. This included many VIPs. President Carter's office was next door to mine and we are great friends. I also got to meet a great number of political and other figurehead folks!!
When I left Emory I had a brief career in the Manufacturing Industry as a Financial Analyst but my job was eliminated in an 85 person lay off. It was so sad, I worked 4 10 hour days and worn jeans!!
Since then and currently I am the paralegal for the Sr. Partner in the biggest law firm on the south side of Atlanta. I love the work. I handled all the probate work, including estates, guardianships, etc. This includes not only the actual legal part, but also handling Estate Sales, Real Estate Sales, etc. I write all the wills for this partner and also handle the corporate work. I form Corporations, LLC's etc.
What do you think??
My husband is an architectural modelmaker by profession. But he is a master with his hands and can do anything in construction, plumbing, etc. He can build or fix or create just about anything.
Posted : August 23, 2003 1:34 am
Hello Debbie,
Well you certainly have a good background to find work in the private sector... you can look into paralegal work here. You could try the university or government... but those will mean red tape - so takes longer to get them. Certain you will be paid less then what you were making... thats a general statement because often jobs pay less here accross the board (with the exception of senators 🙂 maybe)... Good solid office people, assistance, managers... in private sector offices are often hard to keep or hard to find - so I think you will find something - but it will require effort - as in my experience many times these openings don't seem to ever get advertised they get filled by networking and who you know... so maybe you will have to take up another job and then work your way into a more promising one. Also try http://www.vid.uscourts.gov/ maybe you can find some information there... the university is www.uvi.edu
Architectual modelmaker... glad you added that he can do plumbing and construction... try looking in the yellow pages http://www.viphonebook.com for architectual firms (Custom Builders is a big one that gets many big jobs, schools, government projects...) and construction companies- have your husband call and fax resumes... you of course should do the same... usually they want to meet with you - so perhaps a premove vacation once you have secured some invertiews or prospects. The construction company I mentioned is http://www.custombuilders-vi.com/
(You have to cut and paste the links...)
All the best.
--Islander
Posted : August 23, 2003 5:16 pm
Hi Debbie,
My husband always tells people that the salary here is like Kansas and the cost of living is like California :>). Ditto on the government jobs. He started talking to the head of HR in March 200 and was hired on a part-time basis in May 2003. You'll need patience.
Posted : August 24, 2003 12:05 am
Sounds like you have the experience to contribute positively to the usvi. Don't know what your skin color is, but if it is darker, you will have a better chance of advancement. Seems like the government down here hasn't "had a dream" (yes, 40 years ago) when it comes to equality for all. best of luck, We should all try to live happily together.
ernie
Posted : August 24, 2003 12:37 am
I appreciate your assistance and comments. All help is greatly appreciated. The reason for the move for us is to really try something completely different and enjoy life, each other and friends, old and new.
Neither of us are moving to the VI for fame or fortune. Or to take employment away from anyone more deserving. I feel that we both are really hard working, honest people who believe in a day's work for day's pay. I personally just hope to find a position where I can work hard, enjoy the people and surroundings, earn a decent wage, pay my bills and go home at the end of the day and enjoy my husband, my pets and family and friends.
If that sounds altogether idealistic - that's just the honest truth.
Posted : August 24, 2003 2:18 am
How is the humidity? That is a burning question in my mind. We live in Georgia and the humidity is just sometimes insufferable here. We also live on water and that's both a blessing and a curse at times.
Posted : August 24, 2003 2:32 am
I agree somewhat with the comment about skin color that Ernie made, but I personally know that non-dark skin people have gotten jobs at UVI. It helps alot to know someone on the inside. Hopefully you got my last email.
I live on the the water and the humidity isn't so bad. My husband, who is always hot, doesn't turn on the AC much because there is a nice breeze most of the time on the east end.
Posted : August 24, 2003 2:53 pm
Debbie; the humidity here is not as bad as the insufferable humidity of the southern states... it gets hot - but its a different hot and there is that breeze that Rita mentioned that makes a huge world of difference. On hot days I find a ceiling fan sufficient to help keep a room cool, windows open maybe the door.
My opinion: As for the comment about advancements... well in government jobs it helps to be local to get advancements and to get a job quicker... and in the private sector it helps to not be local to get advancements faster. And in both cases it always helps to know someone who can pull for you - that is true anywhere.
As mentioned before your office work/environment background will help you secure work in the private sector... and your work ethics will help you keep it and move up. I think its your better bet - private sector that is.
All the best.
--Islander
Posted : August 24, 2003 5:19 pm
I disagree with that private sector comment.
It's all about who you know whether your in Charlotte Amalie or Anchorage.
Networking, old boys network, or whatever you wanna call it.
If you are an outsider just moving here, chances are you don't know nearly as many people as a person who has lived here the majority of their life. And usually, it is jobs that either the locals ARENT qualified for or DONT want. Sometimes it is both. Union and public sector jobs are known for their lack of productivity and it is damn near impossible to be fired so as a result, there is less turn over. That is my opinion why you will have a better shot at prirvate sector(like islander). Private sector consists of mostly local business owners who are less likely to put up with inefficient labor force. Hence ,more turn over and more job opportunities.
Why would anyone leave a cake union or government job?
I come from the midwest and to be perfectly honest, the work ethic down here is pretty laughable if you compare the labor forces.
Posted : August 25, 2003 5:03 am
