Yes, I’m that guy you saw in the beginning of the year holding a cardboard sign on the corner of St. Charles and Poydras in the CBD that said “Tulane Finance Grad Needs Job”, either in person or on WWL. I’m currently a financial advisor at one of the most prestigious firms in the world, living the french quarter, making trouble when possible…

and speaking of trouble, a note about the New Orleans economy…

Here is a copy of a post I made on neworleans.tribe.net recently:

There was a point made about how the service industry evolved as a place to support an uneducated workforce - however being in the service industry for several years through school, I know it has some of the most educated people that reside in the city. The sad truth is that you can make more in the service industry than most professional starting wages here. People fall in the “service industry trap” - choosing to make more money initially (even though they hit a quick ceiling) over starting a professional career at lower wages.

There are some serious political factors on many levels that contribute to our educated people leaving the state. First, the social circles here are extremely tight - the old boy network is apparent in the fact that when people in New Orleans ask you where you went to school, they mean HIGH SCHOOL. Didn’t go to Jesuit? Brother Martin? Maybe you can make up for it if you went to LSU. Didn’t go to LSU? You’re at an extreme disadvantage. In this city, it was the first time I’ve ever seen someone put their high school education on their resume. It was also the first time I’ve ever seen someone chastised for NOT putting their high school education on their resume. Depending on what high school you went to, it is a clear indication of class and family status - one might as well have joined a fraternity. The cliche that it’s all about who you know rings true here to a higher degree than the rest of the country. Despite what other people might say, even eight months ago when employment numbers were worse than what they are today, professional employment opportunities existed and still exist in Louisiana. They’re just not publicized and available to the educated public. The stagnation of what I call “economic inbreeding” - the economic decisions in this state made through pure social ties as opposed to other merit based factors - will continue to hold back Louisiana’s economic development until something drastic is done to create incentives against it. Whether it’s a change in Louisiana tax law, partnerships between government and higher education, or some other incentive, without action the majority of educated people in this state will continue to leave to find opportunities where their merit will be judged in a fair and responsible manner, being compensated accordingly.

Anyone want to elect me for public office?

Related posts:

1. Future Shock
2. A Katrina Run/Walk
3. Assistance for those affected by the tornadoes
4. New Orleans as a Retirement Destination
5. Higher edumacation