News
Paul Brown
28.07.15
“My experience here has been amazing, and I don’t think I could have found a better fit for me.”
Brigitte Doughty has deep roots as a New Yorker. A Long Islander born and raised, she attended Iona College in Westchester, NY where she studied Mathematics and Computer Science. When Brigitte joined FDM Group to become an IT Consultant, she trained in our office in the heart of Manhattan’s Financial District.
Not one to shy away from an opportunity, Brigitte jumped at the chance to relocate somewhere new and away from her familiar New York turf. She landed a role working as an FDM Consultant at Bank of America in Charlotte, NC. She packed her things and headed down South!
“I was really excited when I found out I was relocating, not because I wanted to leave my family and friends, but because I wanted to experience living in a new city.”
A fresh start in a brand new city can be intimidating, but it is also filled with opportunity! Brigitte has found that Charlotte has many of the comforts and attractions of New York, and she enjoys getting a bit more bang for her buck given the lower cost of living.
“The city is like a smaller, less crowded New York City. It’s a very relaxing place to live. Charlotte is growing, and people from all over the country have been relocating here to experience everything the city has to offer. What I love most about the city is that there is always something to do, and for less money! You can go see a basketball, football, baseball or hockey game all within a few blocks from each other. There are always concerts and festivals on the weekends too.”
“People are much more open to starting a conversation, which is part of the reason I immediately felt so comfortable.”
Brigitte is soaking in the slower pace of Southern life. She’s enjoying plenty of time outdoors with friends, fellow FDMers, and even a few new furry companions!
“Charlotte is a much slower paced city than New York City. I never realized how fast I walked until I moved down here. A few months after I relocated, I decided to adopt not one, but two dogs. They like to keep me busy in my free time. I’ve also been to a few concerts, basketball games and festivals. The other FDMers who are on site with me will meet up on the weekends and go bowling, disc golfing (which I never heard of before moving here) and other outdoor activities.”
“Not only I am happy I got the chance to relocate to Charlotte; I have also never been so proud of myself.”
Relocating offers up a chance to meet new people, learn about a different culture, and diversify your perspectives. No longer so close to family, Brigitte developed a newfound independence in her move to Charlotte.
“It was the first time in my life I was on my own, with more responsibility than I ever had. I saw this as an opportunity to grow as a person and as a developer. This experience has given me so much more than that.”
“I would highly recommend other FDM Consultants to be geographically flexible.”
Brigitte has no regrets about her decision to pack up and experience living somewhere new.
“It has been the most exciting and rewarding experience. Not many recent graduates are presented with an opportunity like this, and I think all FDM Consultants should take full advantage of it.”
“One tip for FDMers moving to Charlotte: live as close as you can to the city. It’s an amazing place to be.”
Read more stories about Consultants who have taken a placement outside of New York City:
Featured image via Wikimedia Commons.
28 July, 2015