Hotel management, reservation call centers and resort services are major parts of Florida employment, thanks to the tourism industry. Add to that marketing, advertising, and customer relations. After all, with so many competing beaches on the Atlanta and Gulf of Mexico coasts, Florida resorts and towns must battle each other for business. Add to this DisneyWorld in Orlando and you have the tourist-centered world that fuels Florida’s job opportunities.
Like all American state economies, there are fewer jobs than there were doing the height of the economic boom, but there are still many opportunities, particularly for those with specific skills or training.
Florida unemployment
Florida unemployment rate (seasonally adjusted) increased from October 2008 to October 2009 by 4.3% to a rate of 11.2%
[Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics]
Florida Employment Opportunities
Tourism is the base of all of Florida’s economy. From Jacksonville in North Florida down to Miami and on to Key West, the Atlantic Ocean invites tourists from around the world. From Pensacola to Tampa to Venice beach and the keys, the Gulf of Mexico also invites tourists from around the world. This makes jobs at hotels and restaurants plentiful as are service industries, hair salons and spas, speciality shops and retail stores. Other tourist-related jobs include the Disney parks and other amusement areas in Orlando, which is located in lower central Florida. More tourist-related jobs are found in the natural areas, state parks and federal preserves of Florida. Call centers, which book clients for the many resorts, are major employers.
Due to the high number of retiriees in Florida, medical or medical-related jobs are in high demand. After all, the retirees need constant medical attention from numerous hospitals, clinics and rehabilitation centers. All service industries and financial services such as accounting are in high demand due to retirees’ needs as well. In Gainesville, the University of Florida is a large employer as is Florida State University in Tallahassee and many other state and private universities across the state.
Despite an emphasis on tourism and retiree services, Florida has many industries and corporations as well. Computer jobs are in high demand. The manufacturing and construction industries are big business as is shipping and importing due to the many ports.
The overall unemployment rate is 10 percent, which is 4 percent higher than the same figures last year. This is part of the overall economic downturn, and it reflects the downturn’s effect on tourism in the state.
Florida Employment Resources
Each large city has a website where you can find out more about the area and its employers. You should also visit their Chamber of Commerce sitess as well. Large cities include Miami, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Orlando, Pensacola, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Daytona, Lakeland, and more. If you are interested in hotel management, you may want to start with the national websites of large hotel chains and work your way backwards to those in Florida. Disney employment information can be found at www.disney.go.com/DisneyCareers/wdwcareers/hourly/index.html. Jobs related to DisneyWorld range from hourly workers to sophisticated management and marketing positions. Some estimates put Florida employment in Disney enterprises at 50,000 people; and that’s not counting the nonDisney-affiliated hotels, restaurants and more in the Orlando area.
The state of Florida handles Florida employment issues through its Agency for Workforce Innovation. Their website is floridajobs.org, which offers employment opportunities and tips. You will find a map which will link you to Florida employment opportunities by region at www.floridajobs.org/onestop/onestopdir/index.htm. You can also find a list of questions and answers about Florida employment, including employment tips on future job trends, at http://www.whatpeopleareasking.com/sitemap.shtm.
When looking for a job, keep in mind how Florida varies by regions. The Panhandle is the Northern stretch along the Gulf of Mexico. Upper Central Florida is Tallahassee, Gainesville, Lakeland and a lot of farming and agricultural concerns. Lower central Florida includes the large wildnerness area, the Everglades.
Florida Living Conditions
Florida is busy and often crowded Housing costs vary by area with Miami, Orlando and other crowded areas at the high end. Suburbs extend far from cities, making commutes long and difficult. Some areas have bus service but the emphasis is on commuting by car. Adding to the congestion are tourists, who crowd Florida interstates most of the year. Of course, crowded can be a good thing when you are looking for original restaurants, clubs, theaters, museums and cultural centers.
Florida is hot. The average winter temperature is in the 50s for upper Florida and 70s for lower Florida. The daily summer temperature is 95 to 100 degrees. Most residents love the hot weather and enjoy beach walks, ocean swims, and even surfing. Snorkeling and scuba diving are common sports.
The dangerous hurricane season arrives in September and stays until November. Hurricanes have hit Florida repeatedly causing damage in central Florida and in the panhandle. Residents have had to evacuate, usually without a hurricane hit, which can be an economic concern as well as a headache.
Larger cities have a correspondingly higher crime rate with the Miami area being the most violent. Some areas, including many of the islands, are extremely expensive and exclusive. Living costs in those areas are much higher than those in a neighboring town. As you judge your job possibilities, you may want to research the cost of living standards in the area where a job is available. These can vary greatly within the state.
Florida’s major language is English, but the large number of Cubans in Miami as well as hispanics in other areas have brought with them a need for English/Spanish speakers in all fields. This is an ongoing need that impacts Florida employment.
Florida Employment
As with all employment, an individual’s possibilites are greatly increased if you have specific skills to bring to the Florida marketplace. Multi-lingual individuals are in high demand in tourist areas. Marketing and advertising professionals may find the market crowded but inviting. Medical personnel and those in highly specialized service industries will find many opportunities. High tech and computer-related positions are always in high demand in Florida employment.
