That is by far the most articulate post I have read on a forum in a long time and thank you for taking the time to write it.
While Florida has it's pros and cons, I am with you that I can not spend my life in one place. I try to utilize opportunities as they present themselves, and although this sounds cliche, I always try to position myself so that I can be happy and make a living. I am graduating in 5 weeks and recognize the next 4 months as potentially the most important in my career; as a crossroads that can lead to a mediocre life and career, or one that leads to a life with a fulfilling and profitable career and ample freedom to live how I desire to. While there is opportunity in South Florida, I see it as predominately a service economy, with little manufacturing. The engineering positions I see my friends taking here seem largely uninteresting and paying, at best, average salaries based on median national engineering entry level salary data. Texas, on the other hand, seems to have a plethora of engineering opportunities that look enticing for a number of reason, not the least of which is the high pay. The lack of state income tax, like Florida, is an important decision factor. I can not see moving from a State with no income tax to one with income tax as a sound financial decision.
Then there is the weather factor. I hate the cold. When it drops below the 60s, I complain like people do about when the temperature rises over 100. I would rather move to Haiti then up North where temperature below 40 are the normal. This basically limits my range within the US to a few southern states, The mid west, and Southern California. Marking all of California off the list is an EASY decision which I shouldn't need to elaborate on. With a few states left on the list, Texas is at the top.
Ultimately, once I get things rolling, I would like to have house in the Florida Keys, so that I can enjoy the best that Florida has to offer with my family who are by and large Floridians. I can grow in Texas, and not start a new life, but meet the goals I have had and maybe make some new ones that exceed my current expectations.
Back to your Post Ninjaneer, I am not familiar with licensing for software engineers, and hate to give advice to senior engineers. I know that one business model that seems relatively easy to implement, is for a Professional Engineer to offer consulting and expertise and hire entry level and new grads to do a majority of the foot work. This model seems easy to grow; take on more fresh talent, train your employees, take on more work, and when the time comes, hire senior level engineers as employees, not partners.
Again, I thank you for your post. While I know a great deal about Texas already, I do not have any support from my friends or family to move there. I find any type of encouragement motivating, even if it is electronic. Now I need to get my ass in gear and start making moves.
While Florida has it's pros and cons, I am with you that I can not spend my life in one place. I try to utilize opportunities as they present themselves, and although this sounds cliche, I always try to position myself so that I can be happy and make a living. I am graduating in 5 weeks and recognize the next 4 months as potentially the most important in my career; as a crossroads that can lead to a mediocre life and career, or one that leads to a life with a fulfilling and profitable career and ample freedom to live how I desire to. While there is opportunity in South Florida, I see it as predominately a service economy, with little manufacturing. The engineering positions I see my friends taking here seem largely uninteresting and paying, at best, average salaries based on median national engineering entry level salary data. Texas, on the other hand, seems to have a plethora of engineering opportunities that look enticing for a number of reason, not the least of which is the high pay. The lack of state income tax, like Florida, is an important decision factor. I can not see moving from a State with no income tax to one with income tax as a sound financial decision.
Then there is the weather factor. I hate the cold. When it drops below the 60s, I complain like people do about when the temperature rises over 100. I would rather move to Haiti then up North where temperature below 40 are the normal. This basically limits my range within the US to a few southern states, The mid west, and Southern California. Marking all of California off the list is an EASY decision which I shouldn't need to elaborate on. With a few states left on the list, Texas is at the top.
Ultimately, once I get things rolling, I would like to have house in the Florida Keys, so that I can enjoy the best that Florida has to offer with my family who are by and large Floridians. I can grow in Texas, and not start a new life, but meet the goals I have had and maybe make some new ones that exceed my current expectations.
Back to your Post Ninjaneer, I am not familiar with licensing for software engineers, and hate to give advice to senior engineers. I know that one business model that seems relatively easy to implement, is for a Professional Engineer to offer consulting and expertise and hire entry level and new grads to do a majority of the foot work. This model seems easy to grow; take on more fresh talent, train your employees, take on more work, and when the time comes, hire senior level engineers as employees, not partners.
Again, I thank you for your post. While I know a great deal about Texas already, I do not have any support from my friends or family to move there. I find any type of encouragement motivating, even if it is electronic. Now I need to get my ass in gear and start making moves.
