Most of the subject matter in 
That makes sense. I go to school in Philadelphia, a large city full of examples for learning about the cultural sector.
Most of our lessons have been unsettling
In this large city full of examples for learning about the cultural sector, there don't seem to be many job opportunities. Our readings have painted a picture of a struggling collection of institutions that face perpetual underfunding and a related inability to catch up with technological advances.
Yet, despite the overall negative outlook, in one of our early class meetings, we looked at this rosy graphic produced by the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance of the number of full-time equivalent cultural jobs in various metropolitan centers.
While Philly is in 2nd place, it just so happens that another one of the areas in this graphic is where I'm considering moving after my time in Philadelphia: St. Petersburg, Florida.
The very cool Salvador Dali Museum in St. Pete, courtesy of Scoutology. Maybe they'll hire me!
I lived in Florida from age 6 through college. Most of my early experiences in cultural instutitions as a volunteer, intern, or contracted employee took place there. While I've been in Philadelphia for less than a year, in terms of opportunities, the two places feel profoundly different.
So, I'm starting to feel like I'll be better off starting my career in 7th place St. Pete instead of 2nd place Philadelphia. Why is that?
1. There is an obvious difference in size
In 2016, St. Petersburg's total city population was 263,768, while Philadelphia's was over 1.5 million.
In the metaphor of cities as ponds, Philadelphia is a decidedly big pond. In it, I feel like a pretty small fish. Sure, more people may mean more opportunities, but as our readings have shown, it also means more competition for jobs and funding.
I think that I may have more opportunities in St. Petersburg because I am a much bigger fish in that much smaller pond, but I think there's more going on than just differences in size.
2. There's a difference in median age
According to this graphic published by the city's official website, St. Petersburg's median age in 2017 was 42.4 years old.
In 2016, the Pew Charitable Trust noted that Philadelphia's median age dropped 35.3 years in 2005 to 33.8 in 2014.
That almost 10-year difference is notable. I seem much younger in St. Pete than I do in Philly, which can be a good thing for a getting a job.
Bottom line: I think that my youth is more attractive and employable in St. Pete than it is in Philadelphia
Whether or not my youth actually means I'm more adept at technology or keen to what's cool/marketable, I feel like in St. Pete, there's a perception that that's the case.
In order to survive, cultural sectors all over the country need to adapt to new technologies. Whether it be through platforms like Steemit or something as simple as establishing a Twitter account, I think that my youth and related adeptness with technology is rarer and thus perceived as more valuable in St. Petersburg. Though there may be fewer opportunities in that smaller pond, there will be fewer young people with the same skills and education as me vying for them.
What do you think? Should I stay in the big city, or am I right to want to be a big fish in a smaller pond?
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