cnwo21 wrote:why exactly do ties make such a big difference? Although I have "ties" to OH and KY I would happily stay and work in NC.
Rad just explained it in another thread. It's correct and applicable to the south, so I'll just quote it. If you want more detail, use the search function at the bottom of the screen. It's been rehashed on TLS a thousand times.
Rad Lulz wrote:Ties are basically any reason you would want to stay in the region. Firms want people with ties because 1) in the short turn they will stick around to become competent/profitable 2) in the long term they know people and are more likely to be invested/involved in the community to generate business.
You can overcome this by networking super super hard in school (harder than it seems, but maybe someone will just like you for whatever reason), having siiiick grades (not likely), or having other independent reasons for wanting to be in a place (I challenge you to come up with a reason right now why you would want to work in Baton Rouge or NO, without mentioning partying or "culture and history." I'm guessing you don't have extensive pre LS experience in the shipping industry or whatever).
So for like GA, it's pretty easy to say why you want to be in ATL, but those jobs are competitive. I challenge you to come up with a reason why you want to work in Augusta or Resaca.
Furthermore, if LA is like the other southern states I'm familiar with, there will be an outright good ol boy type network which you will not be a part of, especially in less populated areas.
If you didn't grow up there or go to UG there, good ties include things like: "my wife's entire family lives here" or "my kids already go to school in town." Firms outside of huge markets generally want to hire people who are going to stick around for more reasons than the job. Ties help you get and stay employed, and that's something you need coming out of regional schools like the ones you're considering.