Des Moines job market (Casey, Ryan: insurance, moving, design)

[GraniteStater]

I've been looking at the possibility of moving lately and was wondering how well you guys would say the job market is holding up in Des Moines? I know that the job market was fairly stable during the enormous recession compared to other places, but local input would be appreciated. I have some management background as well as a degree in Geographic Information Systems/Planning. What would be the best website to look at for company positions or state level positions? Thanks

[DMRyan]

It may be a dramatic shift from what you're used to, but you may see if places like Pioneer or Kemin Industries have anything available. These are rapidly growing life sciences industries, and they've been on a pretty good tear with expansions lately. Otherwise, the insurance/finance industry may always have a position or two available here.

Jobs may be a little tougher to come by in your traditional planning field since governments seem to be reducing employee numbers across the board right now, but you may check to see if any of the private design firms have anything available as development activity starts to pick up for them once again. Seeing your educational background, another idea may be to take a look at a few of the companies that are headquartered here to see if they have any site selection positions opening up. Places like Casey's Convenience Stores, Hy-Vee, Kum & Go, or Fareway may have opportunities. All are growing companies.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by DMRyan

It may be a dramatic shift from what you're used to, but you may see if places like Pioneer or Kemin Industries have anything available. These are rapidly growing life sciences industries, and they've been on a pretty good tear with expansions lately. Otherwise, the insurance/finance industry may always have a position or two available here.

Jobs may be a little tougher to come by in your traditional planning field since governments seem to be reducing employee numbers across the board right now, but you may check to see if any of the private design firms have anything available as development activity starts to pick up for them once again. Seeing your educational background, another idea may be to take a look at a few of the companies that are headquartered here to see if they have any site selection positions opening up. Places like Casey's Convenience Stores, Hy-Vee, Kum & Go, or Fareway may have opportunities. All are growing companies.

Thanks for the ideas I've got a plethora of things to look into now.

[econboy]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

I've been looking at the possibility of moving lately and was wondering how well you guys would say the job market is holding up in Des Moines? I know that the job market was fairly stable during the enormous recession compared to other places, but local input would be appreciated. I have some management background as well as a degree in Geographic Information Systems/Planning. What would be the best website to look at for company positions or state level positions? Thanks

Yes, the job market in the Des Moines metro has and is doing very well. It is stable and strong. It isn't exploding as some places did during the boom years of the last decade but it isn't in decline and definately continues to grow.