Fast and loose LA campaign, How do I start this thing? Options

[Seriously Mike]

So, I'm finally feeling like putting some introductory missions together for a LA-based campaign. I'm taking some inspirations from the sandbox video games like GTA and Saints' Row, just so the players have some choice between doing serious jobs for various Johnsons and pulling diversions for the lulz, notoriety and spare change (I'll set them up with P2.0 accounts early on, and they have already been informed about bonuses arising from that). Additionally, I changed the concept of P2.0 a bit (read about it on my blog) - in short, ordinary schmoes can watch and maybe comment, but if you want to upload and stream stuff yourself, you need that prized invitation.

Now, my plan was to drop the players off in San Fernando (pretty safe, very boring, although with some jobs to do) and give them some introductory runs there and on the islands (IMHO the islands weren't given enough attention in Corporate Enclaves, I had some thoughts about it too), then gradually move them to other parts of the city. However, I don't really know Shadowrun's power scale: what can I throw at starter characters, how much XP should they get, the enemies that require specific methods to be dispatched (like Shedim and magic) and how much force can the factions muster in case the PC get on their bad side. As in my signature: expect stupid questions. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

So the first stupid question: what kind of jobs can the starter characters get, and from whom? Corporate, criminal and others?