Realistic?

I could answer you with a smart remark, but will try to refrain. There are thousands of us that pay rent, eat, go out etc. Not to worry. This is the real world, so to speak. No grass houses. I ended up here by birth, so I can't tell you about how it feels and wanting to go back. Will leave that for others.
Ronnie

I didnt mean for it to be a smart comment. I am just trying to find out if the average hard working Joe would be able to find a job (any job) that would pay enough for rent, food, etc. I know that the busy season starts around October/November, but what about jobs in the off season? And I know you guys dont live in grass huts. I have been there before but didnt check out the job situations while I was there. Basically, I am trying to find out if everyone gets laid off at the end of the busy season and if so, are there other jobs that pick up in the off season?

Dennis

People coming and going all the time, they lay themselves off. Jobs are available. The earlier you come, the better chance you get at getting the better jobs that may open up when the season gets going. At that time you will be well seasoned in the job market and know your way around. An advantage over the snow bird showing up as season begins. Better?
Ronnie

Also, there are lots of non-seasonal jobs! Not everyone works in the tourist biz!! No, I would not go back, and I celebrate 8 years this week. I just love my grass hut!! 😉

Hi,

I too am thinking about relocating.

When you say jobs are available, what jobs are you talking about to start out down there. From other internet sites, I get the feeling that the only jobs available are in a kitchen or busing tables. Are there any other opportunities.

Don't get me wrong. Nothing wrong with these jobs and I would gladly take such a position. At some point thought, I would definatley seek something a little more challanging. But the feeling portrayed by other sites is somewhat negative that anything else is possible. I would like to get the real scoop. Any examples?

And, although I know it varies, what would be an average wage there? Enough to live? (On other sites you get the feeling that you would need 3 jobs just to get by)

Thanks,

Robert

Robert: For example, the Dept of Education is hustling to fill vacancies before the school year starts. They are looking for math, science, music, special ed and vocational ed teachers. There is a shortage of nurses, librarians, sosial workers (esp MSW) and other professions. Again, what is it you DO? What could you do?

East Ender:
Thanks for the direct reply and the examples. Nice to know someone is there.

I have an Eng. degree and was a consulting Environmental Eng. for some years (haz. waste stuff) Then, I returned to school, got an MBA and worked in finance a short while. By chance, I got into business as a real estate developer and that is what I do now. (And it's time for a change before it is to late)

I have bartended/restaurant etc.
I have also worked translating documents German/English.

But, i see with regret that my degrees and experience are not so in demand there.

So, I am not really sure what I could do there other than the tourist industry.

What about working at a resort? It should be year round work and not just seasonal.

I'm still working on ideas.

Thanks again for the reply,

Robert.

Robert:

Just out of curiousity, what other sites have you been able to get job information? I'm in the same boat as you regarding a job. I have a degree in dietetics/nutrition and hope to find something in this field.

Teresa

I have seen several jobs on www.monster.com. Alot of them are Airport positions (screeners, etc.). There are also a couple of sales rep positions on there. I have also seen a few on http://new.onepaper.com/stthomasvi/ in the classified section. Other than that, I have just heard about the island trader.

Dennis

All you all might need to think out of the box... environmental engineering background...check out recent stories on onepaper.com (The Source) on asbestos clean up on Water Island, soon-to-be clean-up at the old Yacht Haven Hotel and even articles on the solid waste proposals. Some of it is EPA stuff, but someone has to do the work... You wouldn't think about teaching science? Finance...well, there are a lot of EDC companies starting up here, mostly in financial services...Real Estate Developer- sorry, not gonna go there...Dietitian- are you an R.D.? Hospital, school lunch program,private consulting, health clubs. And again, you wouldn't think about teaching science? The problem with moving here is... you kind of have to decide if you want to be here first...make sure you have enough to sustain yourself for a period of time...take work while looking for what you really want to do. It is not likely that you will get a job offer from someone here unless you come down and they lay eyes on you and hear that you have a local address. You may have talents that fit in perfectly with something quite different from what you do now. Talented, capable, honest, hard-working people are always in demand. If it were easy, everyone would be living here....

Theresa:

I guess your questions have been answered but I wanted to reply in any case.

I have looked at a number of sites in addition to those sites mentioned by Dennis (Thanks).

www.networkvi.com is another site but, as everywhere, there are not many job listings.

I realize we must be there to get a positon so my intention was to find out about the possibilities in general. Actually, just as Dennis wrote at the beginning, I too wanted to know if it is possible to get a position so you can live there? I have found this discussion board to be the best.

There is another discussion board at www.stjohnstradewindsnews.com. you could look into.

If you find any additional information, please post. But to be honest, I guess we need to take some $ to live a while and go. Seems to be close to impossible to get a position before being there.

Thanks for the advice East Ender! Would be interesting to know: how did you wind up and make it there?

Greetings

Robert

you could always apply for a job with the TSA.

Who is the TSA?

Hello Dennis,

Glad to see you are still there. I'm still working on the move too.

Not sure who TSA is but will check and post if I find out.

Just wondering if anybody out there has worked in the tourist industry to get their feet on the ground in the VI. Would be nice to hear some advice from somebody who has experienced it.

Can you make enough with one job to live.

Are there enough jobs in the tourist industry that are not seasonal.

Thanks,

Robert

Robert,

TSA stands for Transportation Security Agency. Think airport security.

Best of Luck,
Nikole