Seakip18's Journal: I give up

Ok. I'm changing locations to Tallahassee, FL for personal reasons. This usually means changing jobs.

Problem- At my current state job, I've got a lot leeway and chance for telecommuting most of the month. I don't mind coming back a week a month. Plus, it's $54K(after insurance) for a fresh college grad living in a place with low cost of living. The past month and a half of job searches with Gov't, hospitals, and some private companies has yielded two interviews with them declining.

Thoughts- There is no guarantee I'll be able to keep this current job but why should I leave if something can't be worked out? The problem has been rationalizing how big of a paycut and what position to settle for. Even if my current job kept me on, should I keep it?

What should a College Grad with about 2 years of generic IT experience(Some programming, some System Admin'ing, lots of team communication and a little team collaborative work) and year of Financial Systems Programming look for and expect in terms of pay?

UPDATE:
Met with my boss, who talked to the big boss. They approved some telecommuting and wanted to discuss a small pay bump to offset commuting. Only one problem. They want me to stay where I am most of the month. I, at most, think I could handle 2 weeks for a few months. Face it: It'd be living two lives and the stress a relationship would take, would almost certainly negate the entire purpose for moving.

I'm touched though. The fact an employer is so willing to go this far with me at such a young age/experience. I doubt I'll probably ever find an employer this accommodating, even if it was myself!
I mean, if the company wants to pay someone to fill a desk at the office, they have the full right to that.

Me? I've got nothing to lose. I'm moving regardless.

I told my boss that, at most, two weeks a month would be how much time I spent at the office. If they can work with that requirement, great. Heck, even it's only temporary while they find a new candidate. She was kind of confused and told me to work out what I'd need in terms of commute charges and she would think about the two weeks part. Hope it works out.

Update: See http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=652277&cid=24683589

Update: 8/25/08

Telecommuting has been taken off the table due to office politics and instead, 10hour for 7 days twice a month is being offered. No compensation will be offered till the arrangement has been tested. The remaining 20 hours a month will be worked at home or in the car.

Not sure about this. Maybe I will, maybe I won't.