Michigan Employment (Detroit, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor: relocation, income, jobs)

[misskatch]

Hi everyone! I was wondering what everyone thought about employment in Michigan? I just finished school and I'm not sure if I should try to stay in Michigan or relocate to another state. what do you all think?

[Coldjensens]

Depends on your field. However for many types of jobs, the competition is fierce in Michigan. How competitive other places may be in comparison depends on which area you are considering, and what field you are entering.

[misskatch]

Thanx for responding, I will be a Medical Massage Therapist and my husband will be certified in HVAC

[Coldjensens]

You might be better off than he is. Medical professionals seem to have some demand.

Construction is really down in Michigan right now. Not much residential construction at all. Some commercial. The West side of Michigan and Ann Arbor are slightly better off thn the Detroit area.

Although unemployment is worse in Michigan than anywhere else, still 90% of the eligible workforce is employed. If you like it here, give it a try. If you are not tied to anywhere in particular try Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, or Grand Haven. All are neat places to live.


Residential construction is not doing really well anywhere in the US right now.
Michigan is hit harder than most states due to the downfall of the auto industry. People are finding jobs, but it is not easy.

If you have family here, or if you really like Michigan in particular, you will probably find employment sooner or later. However, your husband may have an easier time finding a job elsewhere.

[Softballfan]

Stay in Michigan if nothing else, for the potholes.

[Bhaalspawn]

Originally Posted by misskatch

Hi everyone! I was wondering what everyone thought about employment in Michigan? I just finished school and I'm not sure if I should try to stay in Michigan or relocate to another state. what do you all think?

Find another state you like that's doing relatively well and don't look back. Michigan's economic condition is only going to get worse. The State of Michigan does NOT own you and you shouldn't feel any sort of obligation to sacrifice yourself for the benefit of Michigan.

[Bhaalspawn]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

Although unemployment is worse in Michigan than anywhere else, still 90% of the eligible workforce is employed.

However, a "job" is not a "job". The issue is not merely about what percentage of the working-aged populace is employed, but also one of how they are employed and at what types of wages. There is, after all, such a thing as "working poor".

A much more telling unemployment statistic would be a measure of what percentage of the working age population is employed above various income thresholds. For example, what's the Unemployment-40,000 number--what percentage of people earn below $40,000/year? It would be great to see stats at income intervals of $5000/year. Then the unemployment numbers would really tell us something. For example, if you see a very high Unemployment-20,000 number but the Unemployment-15,000 and Unemployment-10,000 numbers are much lower, then it suggests that a great many of the employed people are working poor and that perhaps the state's economy really isn't doing very well.

Also, it should be noted that if 90% of the workforce is employed, it means that 10% of the workforce is competing to find whatever jobs are available, and although 10% may seem like a small number, the ratio of job-seekers to employment opportunities could be overwhelming, such as 100 people per available job with the ratio increasing dramatically with the quality and pay of a given position.

[Cliffie]

But there are also more jobs available right now, more businesses opening. I only hope this turns into a trend.

[mike231]

After Granholm gave her "State of the State" address. Afterwards during the analyzing of her speech one of the people said that 1 in 5 of the people who are employed are also on some form of assistance.. So 20% of the employed are not making it on their current income. Add that to the 10% that are out of work.
Prognosis "not good"
But it is good to hear some positive news for Kalamazoo.
It's a start, but I really think it will take several years for Michigan to stand on it's own.

[misskatch]

Our relocation choice is Florida since thats the only state other then Michigan where we have family. I hope we will do well there and not miss Michigan to much, I think its tough when you have lived somewhere so long.