Think hard before you relocate to Michigan (Detroit, Saginaw: second mortgage, loans)

[Cato the Elder]

Originally Posted by malamute

Even with a good solid education, there are no guarantees that you can sit in one place and expect the perfect well-paying job is going to land on you.

People who succeed often have to be flexible, willing to relocate, willing to take chances. Too many expect their parents to take out a second mortgage on the family home and other than show up to class, they won't have to make much of an effort.

I know of college graduates living on food stamps for that reason, they just took for granted that a degree would get them something and lack a strong work ethic. Someone with a strong work ethic will at least have an income, will not have to live with mom and dad into adulthood. I think that the days of a college degree guaranteeing someone a high paying cushy job are coming to an end.

The best thing is to have higher education and a work ethic, but it won't be better to have a big debt for college and no job.

I love your anecdotal stories about college grads on food stamps, but one can't overlook the fact that college grads, lazy ones notwithstanding, on average make 45% more than a high school grad as of this year. A high school grad makes around 20% more than a dropout. Having some college without a degree does you only a little bit better at around 22% more than a HS dropout. Going from a bachelors to an advanced degree bumps you up around 15%. So you can make the argument that an advanced degree is not worth it, but you can clearly see the biggest jump occurs from having a bachelors. Even during the big building boom earlier this decade when skilled workers without a bachelor's were in tremendous demand, college grads always made at least 40% more. Now it's back up to 45% and will start climbing slowly again as it has for the past 60 years.

[wanderer74]

Originally Posted by malamute

I know of college graduates living on food stamps for that reason, they just took for granted that a degree would get them something and lack a strong work ethic. Someone with a strong work ethic will at least have an income, will not have to live with mom and dad into adulthood. I think that the days of a college degree guaranteeing someone a high paying cushy job are coming to an end.

The best thing is to have higher education and a work ethic, but it won't be better to have a big debt for college and no job.

What about those of us who have work experience, a good work ethic and the college degree but still can't get a job? I went back to college after having my kids because my parents couldn't afford to send me right out of high school. I couldn't afford that much child care for my kids but needed to earn money so I began freelance writing while I was in in college. I was meeting writing deadlines, in school full-time, and raising my kids and still managed to graduate with a 3.76 GPA - what more do I need than that to prove that I have a good work ethic so that I can get hired?

I think that saying you need a work ethic in addition to the degree in order to be successful is overlooking one very major point: the jobs have to be available in the first place to prove your work ethic.

[wanderer74]

Originally Posted by malamute

I know of college graduates living on food stamps for that reason, they just took for granted that a degree would get them something and lack a strong work ethic. Someone with a strong work ethic will at least have an income, will not have to live with mom and dad into adulthood. I think that the days of a college degree guaranteeing someone a high paying cushy job are coming to an end.

The best thing is to have higher education and a work ethic, but it won't be better to have a big debt for college and no job.

What about those of us who have work experience, a good work ethic and the college degree but still can't get a job? I went back to college after having my kids because my parents couldn't afford to send me right out of high school. I couldn't afford a lot of child care for my kids but needed to earn money to supplement my husband's income, so I began freelance writing while I was in school. I was meeting writing deadlines, in school full-time, all while raising three kids under age 5, and still managed to graduate with a 3.76 GPA - what more do I need than that to prove that I have a good work ethic?

I think that saying you need a work ethic in addition to the degree in order to be successful is a bit unfair because it's overlooking one very major point: the jobs have to be available in the first place to prove one's work ethic.

[detshen]

I'm curious how people are conducting their job searches. A strong work ethic and a college degree aren't usually enough to get you the job you want. My previous career was in human resources.

The biggest mistake a job seeker can make is to send out resumes' and wait. Even if an ad is posted 95% or more of the resumes are never looked at. At the various companies I worked for very few people were hired without a personal connection to someone in the company.

The jobs are out there, my BF and I moved to MI last year and we were working within 2 months of beginning our job searches. We joined profession organizations, networking groups, chamber of commerce and even social clubs. You have to meet as many people as possible and let them know you are looking. We still get calls all the time about job openings so I KNOW there are jobs. A well put together college grad can find a job with more potential than Starbucks even in MI. I would recommend applying for reception or admin assistant jobs at good companies, if you show a strong work ethic and fit with the company you will be promoted. Don't worry about perceived gender roles or thinking it's "beneath" you, this is how many men and women get their foot in the door. Look into temp agencies for these jobs.

Volunteer work is good to show that you are involved in something while unemployed and it gives you something interesting to talk about during an interview.

I don't know anyone who is unemployed, I live in metro Detroit, I can't speak for the rest of the state, but there are jobs here. There is an issue with former auto workers applying for jobs they aren't qualified for. Many companies don't like to see auto related jobs on a resume without new training and will discount these people right away. This is also why many companies don't like to place ads and why knowing someone is so helpful. My BFs mom works in HR for a large company and she has told me this is how a lot of managers feel.

Michigan may have the worst economy, but it's hard to get a job anywhere, you have to make connections, no one is just handing out jobs anywhere.

[theboysmom]

Originally Posted by Acupunk

There is an issue with former auto workers applying for jobs they aren't qualified for. Many companies don't like to see auto related jobs on a resume without new training and will discount these people right away.

Yes! I read an article in the newspaper about how there WERE jobs in MI, lots of them, but that auto workers are just not willing to retrain for them.

My husband works in IT and is really happy at his company but still gets calls/emails a couple of times a week from recruiters interested in him. So the work is there.

[dickensesc]

Lots of jobs in michigan? Wow I guess those people loosing thier homes just dont want to work. How stupid do you think people are? Do you really think that any one is buying this? Do you really think you can sit and think happy thought your way our of this current situation?
I think you will be sorly dissapointed in the comming years.
The same so called educated people were saying this time last year that things were just a small down turn that was going to turn around in the spring. I guess they did not know what the heck they were talking about did they.
I think they were educated stupid.
I wonder why no one is moving into michigan to take up all those jobs? Some have drunk the Bush Kool-Aid that things are really in good shape. Never mind that oil is at all time record highs, forclosures are at all time highs, I guess Michigan people do not need the stimulus package, I will look to read in the detroit free press that most of Michigan residents will be sending their checks back. LOL. You people give me a good laugh.

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by dickensesc

I wonder why no one is moving into michigan to take up all those jobs?

Well Troll, sense you asked the question I take it you don't know how to read some of these threads. The ones where people are wondering about an area because they are moving into Michigan for a job and looking for a decent neighborhood. My own family is going to be coming home to Michigan after trying it in the Northeast. One phone call apiece for the wife and myself and solid, well paying jobs lined up and waiting for us. Yes in Michigan! Jeeze looks like there are people moving into the state. Not only me and my family, but others who are asking on this same forum as well.

Yes I was born and raised in Michigan and yes it has always been home. Came out to the Northeast and the area just isn't for us at all. To busy, to expensive, not the fresh fruit we get spoiled on in Michigan. That has to be the biggest thing we missed every year, the fresh unbeatable fruit and veggies.

[detshen]

I know a couple of families who moved to metro Detroit for excellent job offers.

[wanderer74]

Originally Posted by Acupunk

I don't know anyone who is unemployed, I live in metro Detroit, I can't speak for the rest of the state, but there are jobs here. There is an issue with former auto workers applying for jobs they aren't qualified for. Many companies don't like to see auto related jobs on a resume without new training and will discount these people right away. This is also why many companies don't like to place ads and why knowing someone is so helpful. My BFs mom works in HR for a large company and she has told me this is how a lot of managers feel.

Michigan may have the worst economy, but it's hard to get a job anywhere, you have to make connections, no one is just handing out jobs anywhere.

I'm in the Saginaw area and things seem to be quite a bit tighter up here than in metro Detroit even for college grads. I've already gone to the temp agencies and they won't place me for admin or receptionist type jobs because I don't have recent experience doing that kind of work. They have said that you have to have 2 years of recent work experience in whatever field you want to be placed in, which is a bit tricky since I'm trying to get my foot in the door. There may not be many writing and editing jobs around here (which is what my work experience and education is in) but I'd be willing to start entry level or do admin work; however in this area the temp agencies aren't willing to place me in those jobs. I've seen some ads for technical writers in the Detroit area but ironically they require auto industry experience which I don't have. I don't really have a lot of other connections around here but I network every chance I get. But I really hope that you're right that there are lots of jobs in Michigan for college grads and maybe soon I'll be able to get one of them!

Edited to add: I know connections count for a lot because that's how I get a lot of my freelance writing jobs, and it's even how I got the job at Starbucks. But as far as getting a more professional full-time job, I don't really have those kind of connections. I didn't make a lot of contacts at school because I was an adult student trying to be on campus as little as possible to minimize child care needs and my family is all blue collar (many autoworkers in fact). Anyone have any idea for how to make some connections that I can use for getting a job?

[detshen]

Originally Posted by wanderer74

I'm in the Saginaw area and things seem to be quite a bit tighter up here than in metro Detroit even for college grads. I've already gone to the temp agencies and they won't place me for admin or receptionist type jobs because I don't have recent experience doing that kind of work. They have said that you have to have 2 years of recent work experience in whatever field you want to be placed in, which is a bit tricky since I'm trying to get my foot in the door. There may not be many writing and editing jobs around here (which is what my work experience and education is in) but I'd be willing to start entry level or do admin work; however in this area the temp agencies aren't willing to place me in those jobs. I've seen some ads for technical writers in the Detroit area but ironically they require auto industry experience which I don't have. I don't really have a lot of other connections around here but I network every chance I get. But I really hope that you're right that there are lots of jobs in Michigan for college grads and maybe soon I'll be able to get one of them!

Edited to add: I know connections count for a lot because that's how I get a lot of my freelance writing jobs, and it's even how I got the job at Starbucks. But as far as getting a more professional full-time job, I don't really have those kind of connections. I didn't make a lot of contacts at school because I was an adult student trying to be on campus as little as possible to minimize child care needs and my family is all blue collar (many autoworkers in fact). Anyone have any idea for how to make some connections that I can use for getting a job?

-You can join your local chamber of commerce.
-Any sort of women's groups that aren't childcare related are good.
-If you are under 40 the Jaycees are a good organization for meeting business people.
-There are usually various networking breakfasts around through local business groups and chambers of commerce.
-Anything social where you meet new people is good, so consider anything you are interested in.
-Toastmasters
-Even working at Starbucks may help you meet the right person.

Have you tried applying for the admin jobs on Craigslist? There's usually not a lot on there, but it's worth applying for any of them.

I'll post again if I think of some more. I wish you the best, I hope you find something great soon.