By Deon Roberts, Online Editor
A few weeks ago, I posted this CityBusiness poll question to our Web site: Is the New Orleans metro area a good place for young professionals?
I thought it was good timing for the question, because of the buzz at the time about 504ward, an initiative to attract young professionals to New Orleans.
While that poll question was active, more than one person suggested that to make it in New Orleans, you have to know the right people. Having spent my whole life in this area, I’ve heard comments like that before about the New Orleans region. But reading comments to that effect on our Web site made me sit up straight. After all, this is the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina; aren’t we trying to do things differently around here?
Here’s what susan@rebirthcapital.com had to say on our poll:
“I recently moved here as a young professional and it was very hard to find job opportunities outside of the non-profit arena. Compared to other cities, the New Orleans economic culture is a lot of small, entrepreneurial businesses and heavily based on who you know.”
Then there was this comment by quantos1@gmail.com:
“With abundance of family businesses in New Orleans — unlike more progressive cities where newcomers can grow and prosper in their new chosen communities — it does become a “WHO you know versus WHAT you know” culture in the workplace. Look at all of the local names here that occupy jobs that newcomer professionals and those not politically connected could never have: the Romig’s, Nalty’s, Villere’s, Eustis’s, Jefferson’s, Charbonnet’s, Gray’s, Carter’s, Westfeldt’s, Milling’s, Terrel’s, Broussard’s, Connick’s, Willard’s, Morrel’s, Strain’s, etc.”
What do you think?•
19 responses so far ↓
lesdbro // Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 5:29 pm |
I have lived in New Orleans all my life and I agree that landing a “good” job in this city depends upon who you know. There are many mediocre and low paying jobs that are easier to obtain, but if anyone wants to land a substantial/meaningful position, you have to have the inside track. As a native young professional with a Masters degree, it is hard for me to find good employment in the city, so I know it must be even harder for outsiders.
I’m willing to bet that if a survey was taken of workers in “good” jobs within the city, a decent amount of them would admit to having known someone who knew someone, which led their hiring.
I believe the problem is lack of overall opportunity which creates a very competitive work environment.
imeancuisine // Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 6:06 pm |
I am a transplant to the city after hurricane Katrina. It was incredibly difficult to get a job here in my profession, which is the hospitality/tourism industry. Most people (living in other states) would find that hard to believe, but it is true. It is also incredibly hard to maintain and increase my business because I am not from here, so I primarily work outside the state to bring in business. I constantly face much more resistance to my product than I have ever encountered anywhere else I have lived in the country and it is mostly because the client went to high school with so-and-so. I have been told this on many occasions.
I must admit, these are challenges people face everywhere. However, I have been doing what I do for about 8 years and the New Orleans market is the toughest.
It is who you know, what high school you graduated from and your neighborhood that matters.
stderr // Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 9:50 pm |
“Progressive” San Francisco is the same way. I’ve lived in New Orleans, and currently live in S.F. It’s all about trust.
pjnola // Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 10:30 pm |
New Orleans is a big duck in a small pond kind of place, and the big ducks are fiercely protective of the status quo. Pond shrinking? At least I’m still the big duck…. no, you can’t join our krewe, invitation only….
Ingram fly // Friday, November 21, 2008 at 8:11 am |
That’s it! You can’t join our krewe, invitation only. That’s how things work in New Orleans, in the job market too. Talk to many of the young professionals who’ve moved here. They are getting very frustrated. This city is not open to new blood or those with the best ideas.
I was talking to an economic development official in St. Tammany and she told me that one of her kids is waiting tables at Bravo because they couldn’t find a job in New Orleans…even though they have a Master’s in Finance. And she is in economic development! How ironic. But, at least we have more tourists, more sports events, and good food and our culture, right. That’s all that’s supposed to matter, right? Hah, it’s still the plantation aristocracy taking care of their inbred kids and “krewemembers’ first, everybody can just work in tourism, or move!
nolaj // Friday, November 21, 2008 at 9:03 am |
Unfortunately, I do have to agree it is who you know, not what you know. Until we get rid of the good ole boy mentality this is what we have to deal with. I for one says get rid of the good ole boys mentality we need a fresh breath of air. We have to start doing things the right way. There is no reason why this mentality should remain in big business that is not owned by the good ole boys, they just happened to get a position, and put their people in so they can lock up the the hiring with like mentalities, and for those of you who think this is an invitation only event, you are slowly on your way out.
nolaj // Friday, November 21, 2008 at 9:06 am |
It is all about trust. Come on you need to come up with a better excuse. It is what they consider trust.
stderr // Friday, November 21, 2008 at 12:57 pm |
Excuse? Au contraire. New Orleanians have always been weary of outsiders. You need to come up with a better excuse, good ole boys are everywhere – in liberal San Francisco, in super-commercial Houston, in Congress. Come on now.
Jim // Monday, November 24, 2008 at 11:35 am |
Yes it is. I am 24, a recent college graduate, and have lived here my whole life. NO is most certainly a “who ya know” city. My family isn’t part of a Mardi Gras krewe, does not have old money, a notable last name, or a 200 year old mansion uptown. My dad is not a doctor, a judge , police chief or politician. Its tough to find a “real” job for just a regular, ambitious, person like myself. “I’m just another poor workin slob”.-My dad, an accountant for numerous companies in this city for over 30 years.
Demonized // Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at 1:33 pm |
I’ve lived in NYC, Dallas, Atlanta, LA and now back home in New Orleans, and I’ve never had a problem finding work except here. I’ve been hired over the phone, excelled in my profession – except here. My family is politically connected – but I’m from the wrong chain- so my opportunities are limited, and I am amazed at the number of people that ask me if I’m related to “so and so”. Of course, the last two jobs I’ve had, I’ve gotten “through the grapevine”. It is ridiculous. But this is the situation everywhere – New Orleans just doesn’t have a larger infrastructure to counter it’s nepotism.
Eric Bouler // Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at 4:55 pm |
You need to get into real estate and make a fortune. You are your own boss and can run your own company. Most of my friends create their own jobs. This is not a city of corp. jobs and never will be one.
People tend to stay on their jobs much longer than in other places. This also creates less turnover and less advancement than other places. Work hard and you get lucky.
Tired of Doing S/O's Job // Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at 9:31 pm |
Yes, many people hold the really good positions that are truly not qualified. Ex. Job opening for CFO comes open making $150K; a non-CPA gets it based on who he knows. Upon getting the job, figures out,”oh my god, I have to actually produce to keep the job.” He puts out an ad for controller, must be a CPA, and when the CPA gets hired, has to not only do the controller position, but the CFO position, at a salary of $70K. Meanwhile, the non-CFO CFO just has meetings with politicians while the controller is working himself to the bone with no annual raise, or worse, a pitiful 4%. You see, the only reason the person was hired for the CFO job was based on connections, and the problem is that the people that really are the best people for the jobs never get the higher level jobs and so leave the state. According to those that have the power to make decisions, the competent people are only good enough for the worker bee jobs; not leadership jobs. The ones that get the jobs can’t even use a computer and even read a set of financial statements. How many times have you seen people get jobs for which they are totally unqualified for when you also interviewed and were much more qualified? In other words, they just interviewed you for form – just to make it look like they were open to consideration when they had this person in mind the entire time. A true banana republic run by old money families.
OttomarE, // Saturday, November 29, 2008 at 1:50 pm |
It is no secret in New Orleans that if someone you know or a member of your family (including yourself), is a member of the Masonic Order or one of its subsidiary organizations, you are right in there with the power elite. I know this from documents found in my mother’s father’s and grandfather’s papers, and putting that together with what I know about the business circles they moved in.
Mike // Saturday, November 29, 2008 at 4:37 pm |
THANK GOD someone has finally told the TRUTH!!!
I have personally experienced this “discrimination” more than once in New Orleans. Not only is landing a job a problem, but even starting a business is more difficult than ANY CITY I HAVE EVER LIVED IN.
It is difficult to get things done, get information…etc without knowing the “right people”.
I cannot tell you how many cocktail parties I have been at where people actually bragged how there unqualified nephew, son, wife,grandson etc got a great job because “the director went to the same high school”, “worked with my daughter”, “new my uncle” etc.
Ever wonder why this city runs so bad??? INCOMPETENCE & CRONIESM
Worse yet, there are ALWAYS politics behind everything, with yoru competitors picking up the phone and asking so and so to “give charlie a hard time…he’s/she’s an outsider anyway”
This city and state SUCKS for entrepreneurs especially if you are not one of the “good ole boys”
The article the other day in the Picayune talking about new entrepreneurs and shift of business is pure BALONEY!!! I talke to many others who say coming here was the biggest mistake of their lives. They had no idea that being an outsider was such a disadvantage.
In any other city they see you as a welcome contributor to the community…here you aresimply seen as an unwelcome outsider.
Sign me “I can’t wait to get out or here”
nolabo // Sunday, November 30, 2008 at 3:43 pm |
If you’re an outsider, be prepared to work ten times as hard vs. a well connected insider. Your other option is come in well-financed and buy your way into the circles. Pick your lawyers wisely, there’s a ton of them in this city, but a well-connected attorney can open doors for you. Get your kids into a Newman or Jesuit. Blah blah, it’s about playing the game, and more often than not, paying to play the game.
PWIHouston // Sunday, November 30, 2008 at 4:38 pm |
Hi,
I find your comments very enlightening! I have only been to New Orleans a couple of times, and that was a long time ago. I am looking forward to coming to New Orleans this weekend for an International Women’s Round Table on Global Leadership. I would like to invite you to attend and to share the news about our event with others. We have notable speakers from New Orleans and New York. Please click here for details about the event http://www.powerfulwomenintl.com/1208nola.html. Thanks.
PWIHouston // Sunday, November 30, 2008 at 4:40 pm |
Our intention for the event is to connect women powerfully and to help them in achieving whatever their desires are in life. We are starting a New Orleans-Connection for Powerful Women International because the CEO is from New Orleans. Maybe we can help women to start their own businesses and be successful or to get better jobs or get promotions.
Mark Romig // Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at 9:13 am |
Deon – I can only speak for my family but I am sure the other names you mentioned will have a thought or two about their perceived/real success or networking oppportunities. I for one will give credit to growing up in a nurturing family in Lakeview who provided a roadmap that stressed service to the community, first and foremost. I will also tell you that St. Dominic’s Grammar School, Brother Martin High School (St. Mary’s Dominican in the case of my sisters) and the University of New Orleans provided a structure for training and critical thinking.
Now it is up to us to be a mentor and provide others with a similar roadmap so that they, too, can fully participate in the recovery and resurgence of our community and region.
Best Regards,
Mark
Mark Romig // Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at 9:18 am |
Deon – I can only speak for my family but I am sure the other names you mentioned will have a thought or two about their perceived/real success or networking opportunities. I for one will give credit to growing up in a nurturing family in Lakeview who provided a roadmap that stressed service to the community, first and foremost. I will also tell you that St. Dominic’s Grammar School, Brother Martin High School (St. Mary’s Dominican in the case of my sisters) and the University of New Orleans provided a structure for training and critical thinking.
Now it is up to us to be a mentor and provide others with a similar roadmap so that they, too, can fully participate in the recovery and resurgence of our community and region.
Best Regards,
Mark