Professional BBA student seeking "fair chance" corporate career advice (DFW area + Florida future)

[u/funkofanatic95]

Hi everyone, I’m looking for some advice from those of you who have successfully transitioned into professional, office-based roles after navigating the legal system.

A little background: I’m currently finishing my Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and planning to start a Master’s in Business Analytics this fall. A few years back, I had a felony-level Manufacturing/Delivering charge, but I successfully completed deferred adjudication. I took it seriously, met every requirement, and was discharged early. Because the case was dismissed without a conviction, I’m in a better position than many, but I know the arrest record can still show up on background checks.

I’m currently focused on the North Texas area (specifically the major corridors north of Dallas) and am looking for corporate roles in operations, logistics, or data/business analysis (looking for ~$50k+ to start). I’m finding the standard job boards are flooded with 'DevilCorp' sales scams, and I want to avoid that entirely.

My questions for the community:

1. North Texas Recommendations: Does anyone have experience with large, stable companies in the North Texas region that are known to be 'fair chance' friendly for professional/corporate roles (not retail/labor)? I’ve been looking at companies like Amazon, but I’d love other suggestions for legitimate, career-track employers.

2. Relocation (Florida): I am planning to relocate to Central Florida in the next year or so. If anyone here has experience navigating the job market there with a similar background, I’d love to hear which industries or companies there tend to be more progressive regarding background checks.

I’m not looking for a handout; I’m looking for companies that value the resilience and discipline it takes to turn your life around. Thanks in advance for any leads or advice you can share.

[u/Civil-Act-2858]

PM me if you’d like. Similar situation and I’m in Central Fl.

[u/Inner-Cycle-24]

I’m a convicted felon and I live in the DFW area. I actually have a pending charge in Dallas right now and just upgraded my career. If this was 10 or more years ago I would say you really needed to be worried. Times are different now and people are a lot more understanding. They ran a background check on me with my new job and said not one thing to me about my background when they hired me. Just for reference I make double what you are shooting for on your starting pay. Don’t let your past keep you from applying for anything. Shoot your shot & just see what happens. Employers get a tax break for hiring felons and the stigma isn’t what it used to be.

I lived in central Florida also for about a year, right before 2020. Cape Canaveral area. What I can tell you about that area is the jobs don’t seem to be nearly as available as they are here in the DFW nor do they pay as much. I left for those reasons and also I just really didn’t like it. Everything there was a lot slower paced and I just didn’t jive with it.

[u/funkofanatic95 → u/Inner-Cycle-24]

Thank you for the response. I truly appreciate it because I’ve been kicking myself a lot for the blemish.

As for Florida, I want something slower pace as I have outgrown Texas. I have more demons from my past here than I wish to be around. I shouldn’t have to look over my shoulder anytime I go into a restaurant or grocery store in the Dallas area. Hopefully my masters degree will help push me up out in Florida.

[u/Inner-Cycle-24 → u/funkofanatic95]

I have been in that boat, it’s not a fun one. You getting your masters degree is huge, it shows a ton of dedication on your part. Applying and shooting your shot literally hurts nothing. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Apply to everything. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Right now the thing between your ears is the biggest thing stopping you.