If you can’t hack it in DC is it smart to move elsewhere?

[Anonymous]

If you have not been able to make a career in DC, is it smart to move to another city and see if you will be more successful?

Presuming it will be easier to get hired and be a big fish in a smaller pond. Has anyone tried this successfully?

[Anonymous]

You have to go where the jobs are, and you need to be realistic sense about what you can achieve. Some people in DC, like my husband, myself, and the majority of our friends, are in DC-centric professions and cannot easily find jobs elsewhere. We're in scientific research, World Bank/IMF, government.

[Anonymous]

Depends on your industry

[Anonymous]

What field, OP?

[Anonymous]

A smaller pond generally means opportunities. Are you sure you would be a big fish vs just another fish?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What field, OP?

And what part of the industry/culture could you not hack?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A smaller pond generally means opportunities. Are you sure you would be a big fish vs just another fish?

Right?

DC has historically been one of the easiest places to start a career. Granted it's a little different right now but still, if you can't even get your foot in the door here you're certainly not a "big fish" here so why would you think you would be a big fish elsewhere?

[Anonymous]

Depends on the industry....law....maybe. Consulting

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A smaller pond generally means opportunities. Are you sure you would be a big fish vs just another fish?

Right?

DC has historically been one of the easiest places to start a career. Granted it's a little different right now but still, if you can't even get your foot in the door here you're certainly not a "big fish" here so why would you think you would be a big fish elsewhere?

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depends on your industry

This. My job does not exist outside of major metropolitan areas. You also get spoiled living in diverse, highly-educated areas with a lot of cultural opportunities. A lot of smaller ponds are not always that appealing.

[Anonymous]

Head south to Florida for work. There’s a place called Mar-a-Lago, which is currently the center of the universe for Americans. It’s the land of opportunity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A smaller pond generally means opportunities. Are you sure you would be a big fish vs just another fish?

This is really not true. Smaller ponds have opportunities to scale because there is not a population need for more. Unless you're working for a national organization HQed in a smaller location (in which case, more you're locked in by the smaller number of competing employers), opportunities are generally to scale. I would consider it a huge risk to move to an area that is dominated by a small number of employers as many of them will treat you only as well as your alternative require.

The smallest ponds have zero opportunity. This is why rural America is dying - no jobs, no opportunity, no tax base to provide amenities that would draw employers/employees to the area.

[Anonymous]

Most DC people would not last a week with a real job in NYC

[Anonymous]

The thing is, DC is already a small pond

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The thing is, DC is already a small pond

Yes, the seventh-largest metro area in the country with a population of 6.5M is a small pond. Please go on about how this town just isn't big enough for you and your ego.