[OT] What is Minneapolis/St. Paul like?

[bret]

..., the food sucks, ...

I don't think the food sucks, it is just bland at times. I like spicy food. Thai, Mexican, Veitnamize, others. The situation has improved over the years, but it is still a problem with a lot of the hot spices being toned down.

On the other hand, it is trivial to get farm fresh produce when it is in season. Right now, I pass two or three temporary stands selling fresh sweetcorn and other local produce. There are several places that run farmer's markets where you can buy produce directly.

 

[der_kluge]

I work for a very large tech company (IBM) down here in Rochester, if you are interested, I can direct you to some places around here. Also Mayo Clinic may need IT people, and you cannot get better benefits then the "world famous" Mayo Clinic.


Drop me an email shouit@mortality.net

Shouit, wasn't there something in the news recently about IBM outsourcing all of its IT overseas?

 

[Teneb]

Also Mayo Clinic may need IT people, and you cannot get better benefits then the "world famous" Mayo Clinic.

Mayo currently has 12 IT positions open. And yes, the benefits are very good. I'm not sure if you're even considering anything outside the metro area of MSP, but Rochester a nice town. My 2 cents.

 

[shouit]

Shouit, wasn't there something in the news recently about IBM outsourcing all of its IT overseas?

Kind of. From what I understand is that they are outsourcing the place you call to get information, IBM has a weird procedure where before you can get help, you have to call this 800 number and tell them you have a problem and then if they cannot trouble shoot it over the phone, the local IT people show up.

I was going to check on local IT jobs. But, as Teneb says, if Mayo has an openinng it is hard to beat..

a) Great benefits.

b) Job security. Mayo has never laid off that I know of.

c) Location. Honestly, I lived in SF bay area and I don't think I want to do that again. But, with Roch you are 1 hour from MN/StP, 4.5 hours from Milwaukee, 5.5 hours from Chicago. So you are fairly close to big cities if you need to.

d) Schools. The school system is hard to beat here. Mayo Clinic supports all the schools in town with nurses, sports trainers, grants, etc.

e) Gaming. Saving the best for last, between Teneb and I we know a lot of the gaming community around and can even extend and invite to our group..

It is just an option.. Also there are a ton of small start up companies from old IBMers that when the economy picks up are going to be needing IT people.

 

[der_kluge]

I saw the Mayo openings... not really a skillset match. Plus, I don't have any healthcare background. Kind of why I was thinking Target (or Best Buy) might be a better match, since I've got experience at Wal-Mart, so that would be a plus at those places. Mayo wouldn't have any real reason to hire me, with my skillset.

Thanks for thinking of me, though.

 

[shouit]

I don't know what your skill set is, but I will tell you what, you really don't need to know anything about the medical field to work there. I know a guy who worked for IBM as an EE and went over to Mayo and designed chips for them...

But, if Target is looking at you, then by all means. A job in this economy is a job... I know many that want them but cannot find them right now...


Good Luck, with whatever you choose...