Need a confidence boost regarding a move to Minneapolis (St. Paul: hair salon, real estate)

[mhc.]

I am a Minneapolis native although my family moved to Michigan when I was young. I am a recent college graduate (from a Michigan school) and I am planning on moving to Minneapolis in January.

I am currently working as a temporary employee at a major organization in Detroit where I had been an intern over the summer. It seems I have the opportunity to stay on as a full time employee.

I don't want to stay in Michigan, I have been wanting to move back to Minneapolis for quite some time but it is a hard choice in this economy to leave a possible full time position for a new city where I will have to find a new job with little professional experience.

I have read a lot of similar posts but I am desperate! I believe the economy in Minnesota/Minneapolis is better than it is in Michigan (most places are) but it is hard to feel optimistic from where I sit.

I guess my question is: can I justify leaving a full time position in Michigan for the unknown in Minneapolis? And, How is the job market for recent graduates in Minneapolis?

I have a very broad degree, I would be looking for general office/professional work I suppose or ideally something "creative" (writing/marketing/etc).

I would appreciate ANY information/advice/suggestions!!!!!

Thank you!

[Slig]

Here's a boost of confidence. All of these companies are headquartered in Minneapolis:
Company Ticker Symbol 2008 Rank 2008 Revenue
(in mil.) 2007 Rank 2007 Revenue
(in mil.) 1-year rank change 1-year percent change 2008 percent return on revenue
UnitedHealth Group Inc. UNH 1 75,431.0 1 71,542.0 0 5.4 6.2
Description: does benefit design and implementation for companies, owns and operates health plans, provides senior services, and provides other specialized health benefit and technology services
City: Minnetonka
Website: UnitedHealth Group - Home
Stock Market: UNH

Target Corp. TGT 2 63,367.0 2 59,490.0 0 6.5 4.5
Description: general merchandise retailer
City: Minneapolis
Website: Welcome to Target
Stock Market: TGT

Supervalu Inc. SVU 3 43,962.0 4 31,746.0 +1 38.5 1.3
Description: food wholesaler and retailer, parent company of Cub Foods
City: Eden Prairie
Website: SUPERVALU INC. - Grocery Retail and Supply Chain Services
Stock Market: SVU

Best Buy Co. Inc. BBY 4 39,504.0 3 33,728.0 -1 17.1 3.6
Description: consumer electronics, home office products, personal computers, entertainment software retailer
City: Richfield
Website: Best Buy
Stock Market: BBY

Travelers Companies Inc. TRV 5 26,017.0 5 25,090.0 0 3.7 17.7
Description: offers property casualty insurance
City: St. Paul
Website: Travelers Insurance | Personal & Business | Auto Insurance | Homeowners
Stock Market: TRV

3M Co. MMM 6 24,462.0 6 22,923.0 0 6.7 16.7
Description: global diversified technology company with products for health care; industrial; consumer and office; display and graphics; electronics and telecommunications; safety, security and protection; transportation and other markets
City: Maplewood
Website: 3M Worldwide
Stock Market: MMM

U.S. Bancorp USB 7 13,936.0 7 13,636.0 0 2.2 31.0
Description: regional bank holding company
City: Minneapolis
Website: U.S. Bank - Personal banking including checking accounts, online banking and much more
Stock Market: USB

Medtronic Inc. MDT 8 12,935.0 9 12,086.7 +1 7.0 17.2
Description: makes cardiovascular, cardio-rhythm neurological, spinal, diabetes and ENT medical devices
City: Fridley
Website: Medtronic, the world leader in medical technology and pioneering therapies
Stock Market: MDT

General Mills Inc. GIS 9 12,890.0 10 12,067.0 +1 6.8 9.1
Description: marketer of consumer foods
City: Golden Valley
Website: General Mills: Home Page
Stock Market: GIS

Northwest Airlines Corp. NWA 10 12,528.0 8 12,568.0 -2 -0.3 16.7
Description: international passenger and cargo air carrier
City: Eagan
Website: Northwest Airlines - Airline Tickets, Plane Tickets & Airfare
Stock Market: NWA

Xcel Energy Inc. XEL 11 10,034.2 11 9,840.3 0 2.0 5.8
Description: electric and natural gas utility
City: Minneapolis
Website: www.xcelenergy.com
Stock Market: XEL

Ameriprise Financial Inc. *Ameriprise has 7,757 franchisee advisors among its 11,223 employees. Adjusted earnings exclude after-tax non-recurring separation costs AMP 12 8,654.0 12 8,140.0 0 6.3 9.4
Description: provides financial planning and other services including asset accumulation, income management and insurance protection services
City: Minneapolis
Website: Financial Planning Advice and Financial Advisors | Ameriprise Financial
Stock Market: AMP

C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc. CHRW 13 7,316.2 13 6,556.2 0 11.6 4.4
Description: provides transportation services and logistics support
City: Eden Prairie
Website: C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc. - Third party logistics (3PL) company providing multimodal transportation services, logistics solutions and sourcing capabilities to customers all over the world
Stock Market: CHRW

Mosaic Co. MOS 14 7,161.8 15 5,215.3 +1 37.3 13.2
Description: produces and distributes crop nutrients and makes and distributes animal feed ingredients
City: Plymouth
Website: www.mosaicco.com
Stock Market: MOS

Hormel Foods Corp. HRL 15 6,310.1 14 5,833.6 -1 8.2 5.0
Description: produces food products for consumers, retail grocers, foodservice and industrial markets
City: Austin
Website: Hormel Foods > Home
Stock Market: HRL

Ecolab Inc. ECL 16 5,469.6 16 4,895.8 0 11.7 7.8
Description: provides cleaning, sanitizing, food safety, infection control products and maintenance products and services
City: St. Paul
Website: Ecolab.com Home
Stock Market: ECL

Nash Finch Co. NAFC 17 4,532.6 17 4,631.6 0 -2.1 0.9
Description: food wholesaler and owner and operator of supermarkets
City: Edina
Website: Wholesale Food Distributor & Retail Support Services
Stock Market: NAFC

PepsiAmericas Inc. PAS 18 4,479.5 18 3,972.4 0 12.8 4.7
Description: makes and distributes a portfolio of beverage products in the United States, Central Europe and the Caribbean and distributes snack foods and beer in certain markets
City: Minneapolis
Website: PepsiAmericas, Inc.
Stock Market: PAS

Alliant Techsystems ATK 19 4,051.9 19 3,473.5 0 16.7 5.3
Description: develops aerospace and defense products and systems; makes solid rocket motor propulsion systems, composite structures, precision-guided munitions and ammunition
City: Edina
Website: ATK - A Premier Aerospace and Defense Company
Stock Market: ATK

St. Jude Medical Inc. STJ 20 3,779.3 20 3,302.4 0 14.4 14.8
Description: makes cardiovascular medical devices, including ICDs, pacemakers, specialty catheters, vascular closure devices, chronic pain and neurostimulation devices, advanced cardiac mapping systems, ablation systems and heart valve replacement and repair products
City: Little Canada
Website: St. Jude Medical - Home Page
Stock Market: STJ

Pentair Inc. PNR 21 3,398.7 21 3,154.5 0 7.7 6.2
Description: a diversified operating company; Water Group makes products for the movement, treatment, storage and enjoyment of water; Technical Products Group makes standard, modified and custom enclosures that house and protect sensitive electronics
City: Golden Valley
Website: Pentair, Inc.
Stock Market: PNR

Valspar Corp. VAL 22 3,303.0 22 3,042.8 0 8.6 5.2
Description: makes paint and coatings
City: Minneapolis
Website: Valspar Paint and Coatings | Valspar
Stock Market: VAL

Patterson Companies Inc. PDCO 23 2,959.5 23 2,754.4 0 7.4 7.5
Description: distributes dental, veterinary and rehabilitation supplies and equipment
City: Mendota Heights
Website: www.pattersoncompanies.com
Stock Market: PDCO

Regis Corp. RGS 24 2,680.1 24 2,536.2 0 5.7 2.8
Description: owns, operates and franchises hair salons in mall and strip-center locations
City: Edina
Website: Regis Corporate North American Overview
Stock Market: RGS

Imation Corp. IMN 25 2,062.0 30 1,584.7 +5 30.1 -2.4
Description: makes removable data-storage media products, including magnetic, optical, flash and hard disk products
City: Oakdale
Website: Imation - Removable Data Storage - Tape Cartridges, CDs, DVDs, Flash, USB
Stock Market: IMN

Fastenal Co. FAST 26 2,061.8 26 1,809.3 0 14.0 11.3
Description: sells industrial and construction supplies
City: Winona
Website: Home | Fastenal
Stock Market: FAST

Donaldson Co. Inc. DCI 27 2,046.0 27 1,808.2 0 13.2 7.9
Description: makes filtration systems and replacement parts
City: Bloomington
Website: Browser Upgrade Needed
Stock Market: DCI

The Toro Co. TTC 28 1,903.6 25 1,845.4 -3 3.2 7.5
Description: makes outdoor maintenance and beautification products for home, recreation and commercial landscapes
City: Bloomington
Website: The Toro Company
Stock Market: TTC

Polaris Industries Inc. PII 29 1,780.0 28 1,656.5 -1 7.5 6.3
Description: makes snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles, garments and accessories
City: Medina
Website: Polaris : International Portal :
Stock Market: PII

Deluxe Corp. DLX 30 1,606.4 29 1,640.0 -1 -2.0 8.9
Description: sells checks and related products to financial institutions, individuals and small businesses
City: Shoreview
Website: Checks by Deluxe - Small Business & Financial Institution Solutions
Stock Market: DLX

TCF Financial Corp. TCB 31 1,509.5 33 1,375.6 +2 9.7 17.7
Description: national bank holding company with offices in Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Colorado and Indiana
City: Wayzata
Website: TCF Bank - Open 7 Days
Stock Market: TCB

H.B. Fuller Co. FUL 32 1,400.3 32 1,472.4 0 -4.9 7.3
Description: makes specialty chemical products, such as adhesives, sealants, coatings and paint
City: Vadnais Heights
Website: Fuller Home
Stock Market: FUL

ADC Telecommunications Inc. ADCT 33 1,363.5 34 1,306.3 +1 4.4 5.5
Description: provides communications network infrastructure and services worldwide
City: Eden Prairie
Website: ADC: Network Infrastructure, Copper, Fiber, Wireless, Enterprise, Services
Stock Market: ADCT

Otter Tail Corp. OTTR 34 1,238.9 36 1,105.0 +2 12.1 4.4
Description: diversified corporation with investments in electric utility operations, plastics, manufacturing, health services and other businesses
City: Fergus Falls
Website: Otter Tail Corporation
Stock Market: OTTR

Gander Mountain Co. GMTN 35 978.7 37 911.4 +2 7.4 -2.3
Description: a specialty retailer of outdoor goods
City: St. Paul
Website: Gander Mountain® > Hunting, Fishing, Camping, and Outdoor Gear & Equipment : We Live Outdoors®
Stock Market: GMTN

G&K Services Inc. GKSR 36 974.7 38 907.4 +2 7.4 5.0
Description: branded image and safety apparel programs and facility services
City: Minnetonka
Website: G&K Services: Uniforms and Facility Services
Stock Market: GKSR

Allete Inc. ALE 37 841.7 44 767.1 +7 9.7 10.4
Description: provides energy services in the upper Midwest and has real estate holdings in Florida
City: Duluth
Website: ALLETE
Stock Market: ALE

Graco Inc. GGG 38 841.3 40 816.5 +2 3.0 18.2
Description: makes products used to dispense and apply paints, adhesives, sealants and lubricants
City: Minneapolis
Website: Graco - Worldwide Leaders in Fluid Handling
Stock Market: GGG

Apogee Enterprises Inc. APOG 39 823.8 42 775.0 +3 6.3 5.3
Description: fabricates, distributes and installs glass products and systems
City: Bloomington
Website: Apogee Enterprises - Home
Stock Market: APOG

Fair Isaac Corp. FIC 40 813.4 39 830.8 -1 -2.1 11.5
Description: business analytics and decision management technology company
City: Minneapolis
Website: Business Intelligence, Decision Management - Fair Isaac Corporation
Stock Market: FIC

Lawson Software Inc. LWSN 41 810.1 51 560.2 +10 44.6 0.9
Description: provides financial management, human resources, professional services automation, procurement, business intelligence and other business management related software
City: St. Paul
Website: Lawson
Stock Market: LWSN

Select Comfort Corp. SCSS 42 799.2 41 806.0 -1 -0.8 3.5
Description: makes and sells adjustable-firmness beds and other sleep-related products
City: Plymouth
Website: Sleep Number Bed: Select Comfort, 1-888-BED FOR U, Luxury Sheets, Adjustable Air Chamber Mattress
Stock Market: SCSS

ValueVision Media Inc. VVTV 43 781.6 43 767.3 0 1.9 2.9
Description: television home shopping retailer
City: Eden Prairie
Website: ShopNBC.com - Sign In
Stock Market: VVTV

Hutchinson Technology Inc. HTCH 44 700.3 46 725.8 +2 -3.5 0.5
Description: makes suspension assemblies for computer disk drives
City: Hutchinson
Website: Hutchinson Technology
Stock Market: HTCH

Tennant Co. TNC 45 664.2 49 599.0 +4 10.9 6.0
Description: makes non-residential surface-maintenance equipment and related products
City: Golden Valley
Website: Tennant Company - Industrial, indoor and outdoor cleaning solutions, and floor coatings
Stock Market: TNC

Navarre Corp. NAVR 46 663.3 47 703.0 +1 -5.6 1.0
Description: publishes and distributes physical and digital home entertainment and multimedia products
City: New Hope
Website: Welcome to Navarre Corporation
Stock Market: NAVR

Life Time Fitness Inc. LTM 47 655.8 54 511.9 +7 28.1 10.4
Description: operates sports and athletic, professional fitness, family recreation and resort/spa centers
City: Eden Prairie
Website: Life Time Fitness - Feel good inside
Stock Market: LTM

Entegris Inc. *Entergris non-GAAP income from continuing operations ENTG 48 626.2 48 678.7 0 -7.7 7.1
Description: a critical materials management company
City: Chaska
Website: Entegris : Home
Stock Market: ENTG

Arctic Cat Inc. ACAT 49 625.2 45 763.2 -4 -18.1 -0.8
Description: makes snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles and related parts, garments and accessories
City: Thief River Falls
Website: Arctic Cat
Stock Market: ACAT

US BioEnergy Corp. *US BioEnergy Corp. announced in November. 2007 it would be acquired by VeraSun Energy for $1.0 billion USBE 50 588.6 77 124.5 +27 372.6 3.0
Description: ethanol and distillers grains
City: Inver Grove Heights
Website: www.usbioenergy.net
Stock Market: USBE

Christopher & Banks Corp. CBK 51 584.4 52 539.9 +1 8.2 4.7
Description: retailer of women's clothing
City: Plymouth
Website: Women's Clothing: pants shirts jackets sweaters at Christopher & Banks
Stock Market: CBK

Piper Jaffray Companies PJC 52 522.6 53 535.2 +1 -2.4 8.1
Description: general securities brokerage, corporate and public finance
City: Minneapolis
Website: Piper Jaffray Home
Stock Market: PJC

American Medical Systems Holdings Inc. AMMD 53 463.9 57 358.3 +4 29.5 2.8
Description: makes medical devices for physicians treating urological and gynecological disorders
City: Minnetonka
Website: Home
Stock Market: AMMD

Lenox Group Inc. LNX 54 452.1 55 502.5 +1 -10.0 -3.5
Description: designs, imports and distributes tableware collectibles and specialty giftware under the Department 56, Lenox, Gorham and Dansk brand names
City: Eden Prairie
Website: Lenox Group Inc : Home
Stock Market: LNX

MTS Systems Corp. MTSC 55 431.5 56 404.0 +1 6.8 9.3
Description: makes test and simulation systems and related services, as well as industrial position sensors
City: Eden Prairie
Website: MTS: Testing Systems, Sensor Solutions, Simulation Systems
Stock Market: MTSC

Analysts International Corp. ANLY 56 359.7 58 347.0 +2 3.7 -4.5
Description: computer software services company
City: Edina
Website: Analysts International- Makes technology work for your business
Stock Market: ANLY

Digital River Inc. DRIV 57 349.3 61 307.6 +4 13.5 20.3
Description: an e-commerce outsourcing service provider
City: Eden Prairie
Website: Digital River...
Stock Market: DRIV

Buffalo Wild Wings Inc. BWLD 58 329.7 62 278.2 +4 18.5 6.0
Description: a restaurant chain featuring a fast-casual grill and sports bar concept
City: St. Louis Park
Website: Buffalo Wild Wings
Stock Market: BWLD

EV3 Inc. EVVV 59 284.2 68 202.4 +9 40.4 -58.3
Description: makes endovascular medical devices
City: Plymouth
Website: EV3
Stock Market: EVVV

Wilsons The Leather Experts Inc. *Wilsons is in the process of closing approximately 160 stores nationwide. Net loss adjusted for impairment of mall store assets WLSN 60 280.4 60 321.3 0 -12.7 -27.7
Description: specialty retailer of leather outerwear, apparel and accessories in the United States
City: Brooklyn Park
Website: Wilsons Leather
Stock Market: WLSN

Caribou Coffee Co. Inc. CBOU 61 256.8 66 236.2 +5 8.7 -11.9
Description: operates specialty coffeehouses
City: Brooklyn Center
Website: Caribou Coffee
Stock Market: CBOU

Buca Inc. BUCA 62 245.6 64 253.8 +2 -3.3 -6.6
Description: operates casual family-style Italian restaurants in 28 states and the District of Columbia
City: Minneapolis
Website: Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant
Stock Market: BUCA

Techne Corp. TECH 63 238.8 67 211.7 +4 12.8 39.2
Description: makes hematology controls and biotechnology products for research scientists
City: Minneapolis
Website: TECHNE CORPORATION - Home
Stock Market: TECH

Capella Education Company CPLA 64 226.2 70 179.9 +6 25.8 10.1
Description: an online post-secondary education services company.
City: Minneapolis
Website: Capella University Information - Capella Education Company - Online University Degrees - Online Education Company
Stock Market: CPLA

Hawkins Inc. HWKN 65 184.9 71 154.5 +6 19.7 5.0
Description: manufacturer and distributor of bulk industrial chemicals
City: Minneapolis
Website: Hawkins, Inc. - Home
Stock Market: HWKN

Datalink Corp. DTLK 66 178.4 74 146.0 +8 22.2 1.4
Description: designs, installs and supports networked data storage products
City: Chanhassen
Website: Datalink - Information Means the World
Stock Market: DTLK

Digi International Inc. DGII 67 176.0 72 153.1 +5 15.0 11.2
Description: makes data communications hardware and software products
City: Minnetonka
Website: Digi International - When Reliability Matters
Stock Market: DGII

MoneyGram International Inc. *Moneygram's revenues include a $1.2 billion charge for net securities losses MGI 68 157.5 35 1,159.6 -33 -86.4 -680.5
Description: provides global money transfer, money order and payment processing products and services
City: St. Louis Park
Website: MoneyGram International
Stock Market: MGI

HickoryTech Corp. HTCO 69 156.6 75 132.9 +6 17.9 5.5
Description: telecommunications holding company
City: Mankato
Website: www.hickorytech.com
Stock Market: HTCO

Dolan Media Co. *Dolan Media completed an IPO on Aug. 1, 2007. DM 70 152.0 - - -35.6
Description: provides business information and professional services to the legal, financial, and real estate sectors in the United States. It operates in two divisions, Business Information and Professional Services
City: Minneapolis
Website: Dolan Media Company --
Stock Market: DM

Famous Dave's of America Inc. DAVE 71 125.9 78 116.6 +7 7.9 4.8
Description: operates a chain of pit barbecue restaurants
City: Minnetonka
Website: Famous Dave's
Stock Market: DAVE

Communications Systems Inc. JCS 72 121.2 114.1 - 6.3 6.2
Description: provides broadband connectivity infrastructure and services, and supplies voice-grade connecting devices and wiring systems
City: Hector
Website: Communications Systems, Inc.
Stock Market: JCS

Nortech Systems Inc. NSYS 73 118.1 79 105.1 +6 12.3 1.3
Description: makes wire harnesses, cable and electromechanical assemblies and printed circuit board assemblies
City: Wayzata
Website: Nortech Systems
Stock Market: NSYS

Stratasys Inc. SSYS 74 112.2 80 103.8 +6 8.1 12.8
Description: makes rapid prototyping devices
City: Eden Prairie
Website: Stratasys – Rapid Prototyping, CAD Plastic Prototyping, Digital Prototypes
Stock Market: SSYS

Rimage Corp. RIMG 75 108.9 81 103.3 +6 5.4 14.5
Description: provides digital publishing and duplication systems for CD-R and DVD-R
City: Edina
Website: Rimage - The world's experts in CD, DVD, Blu-Ray and HD-DVD publishing, duplication and printing systems
Stock Market: RIMG

FSI International Inc. FSII 76 101.0 76 132.3 0 -23.7 -18.4
Description: makes equipment used in integrated-circuit production
City: Chaska
Website: FSI International, Inc.
Stock Market: FSII

Appliance Recycling Centers of America ARCI 77 100.8 83 77.8 +6 29.5 2.5
Description: recycles and sells major household appliances
City: St. Louis Park
Website: Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc.
Stock Market: ARCI

SoftBrands Inc. SBN 78 90.6 84 77.5 +6 16.9 -2.8
Description: provides software and support services for the manufacturing and hospitality industries
City: Richfield
Website: SoftBrands — SoftBrands
Stock Market: SBN

Virtual Radiologic Corp. *Virtual Radiologic completed an IPO on Nov. 14, 2007 and raised $68 million. Net income is non-GAAP adusted to exclude some non-recurring expenses VRAD 79 86.2 - - 4.0
Description: remote diagnostic image interpretation, or teleradiology, services
City: Minnetonka
Website: Virtual Radiologic Home
Stock Market: VRAD

HMN Financial Inc. HMNF 80 85.1 85 74.0 +5 15.1 13.2
Description: stock savings bank holding company
City: Rochester
Website: Home Federal Savings Bank
Stock Market: HMNF

Innovex Inc. *Most Innovex operations have moved to Thailand. In October it said it would move its headquarters there. It subsequently announced it was seeking strategic alternatives. INVX 81 82.6 73 148.7 -8 -44.4 -40.8
Description: makes electrical components for computer, telecommunication and medical markets
City: Maple Plain
Website: New Document
Stock Market: INVX

Medtox Scientific Inc. MTOX 82 80.3 88 69.8 +6 15.0 8.3
Description: makes point-of-collection diagnostic devices and provides forensic and clinical laboratory services including employment drug testing, clinical trials, clinical toxicology and lead and element analyses
City: St. Paul
Website: MEDTOX : Homepage
Stock Market: MTOX

SurModics Inc. SRDX 83 80.3 87 70.2 +4 14.4 3.7
Description: makes surface modification and drug delivery technologies for the health care industry
City: Eden Prairie
Website: SurModics | Bringing Innovation Together
Stock Market: SRDX

Granite City Food & Brewery Ltd. GCFB 84 75.9 91 58.3 +7 30.1 -12.6
Description: operates brewpub restaurants
City: St. Louis Park
Website: Granite City Restaurant, Granite City Bar - Granite City Food & Brewery
Stock Market: GCFB

Possis Medical Inc. POSS 85 74.7 90 62.7 +5 19.2 1.1
Description: makes medical devices for the cardiovascular and vascular treatment markets
City: Coon Rapids
Website: Possis Medical
Stock Market: POSS

Lifecore Biomedical Inc. LCBM 86 71.0 89 66.0 +3 7.6 10.9
Description: makes biomaterials and medical devices for surgical markets
City: Chaska
Website: Medical Grade Hyaluronan | Lifecore Biomedical
Stock Market: LCBM

Vital Images Inc. VTAL 87 70.2 86 70.5 -1 -0.5 1.9
Description: provides enterprise-wide advanced visualization and analysis products
City: Minnetonka
Website: Vital Images
Stock Market: VTAL

IntriCon Corp. IIN 88 69.0 98 51.7 +10 33.4 2.7
Description: makes precision miniature medical and electronic products
City: Arden Hills
Website: IntriCon Home
Stock Market: IIN

Plato Learning Inc. TUTR 89 68.7 82 84.3 -7 -18.4 -20.7
Description: makes computer-based educational software
City: Bloomington
Website: www.plato.com
Stock Market: TUTR

Synovis Life Technologies Inc. SYNO 90 67.9 94 56.7 +4 19.6 5.6
Description: makes medical devices for the surgical and interventional treatment of disease
City: St. Paul
Website: Synovis Life Technologies
Stock Market: SYNO

CyberOptics Corp. CYBE 91 58.8 92 57.1 +1 3.0 8.6
Description: makes process yield and through-put improvement systems and sensors for the electronics assembly and semiconductor capital equipment markets
City: St. Louis Park
Website: CyberOptics
Stock Market: CYBE

Canterbury Park Holding Corp. ECP 92 52.9 95 55.8 +3 -5.3 5.0
Description: Canterbury Park racetrack and Card Club: pari-mutuel wagering on live and simulcast horse racing, poker and casino style card games.
City: Shakopee
Website: Canterbury Park > Home
Stock Market: ECP

Vascular Solutions Inc. *Vascular Solution's income from continueing operations does not include litigation expense of $5.8 million VASC 93 52.9 100 43.3 +7 22.1 -8.1
Description: makes medical devices for vascular diseases
City: Maple Grove
Website: Vascular Solutions, Inc.
Stock Market: VASC

Compellent Technologies Inc. *Compellent completed an IPO on Oct. 9, 2007 CML 94 51.2 - - -15.3
Description: enterprise-class network storage solutions
City: Eden Prairie
Website: Compellent - Storage Area Network, Data Storage Center, SAN Solutions
Stock Market: CML

ATS Medical Inc. ATSI 95 49.6 101 40.4 +6 22.6 -46.4
Description: makes mechanical heart valves, aortic grafts and related cardiovascular accessories
City: Plymouth
Website: ATS Medical, Inc – Replacement Heart Valves – Heart Valve Repair - Mechanical, Open Pivot Valve
Stock Market: ATSI

Delphax Technologies Inc. DLPX 96 42.9 99 47.7 +3 -10.1 -4.4
Description: makes digital print production equipment for publishers, direct mailers and commercial printers
City: Bloomington
Website: Delphax Technologies - Home
Stock Market: DLPX

Angeion Corp. ANGN 97 38.6 105 33.7 +8 14.6 2.7
Description: parent company of Medical Graphics Corp., which makes noninvasive cardio-respiratory diagnostic systems and related software.
City: Vadnais Heights
Website: Angeion Corporation
Stock Market: ANGN

Zareba Systems Inc. ZRBA 98 35.8 104 35.5 +6 0.8 7.5
Description: makes electronic perimeter fence and security systems for animal and access control.
City: Plymouth
Website: WTRS.com
Stock Market: ZRBA

HEI Inc. HEII 99 35.4 97 52.6 -2 -32.7 -10.7
Description: makes ultraminiature microelectronic devices
City: Victoria
Website: Welcome to HEI
Stock Market: HEII

Winland Electronics Inc. WEX 100 34.7 102 37.9 +2 -8.4 -0.8

[gizmobizmo]

I think you need to take a deep breath and approach this carefully. Right now, the unemployment rate is up everywhere. People with degrees and a lot of experience are struggling to find work because the competition for jobs is fierce. Employers can afford to be more particular because they have a larger pool of candidates to choose from. Many folks are so desperate for work that they may be willing to do the same job as you, only for less $$$.

Consider accepting the full-time job you are being offered in Michigan, yet continue looking for work in Minn. Try to keep in mind that you are in a much better position than many are. You HAVE a job. It's much easier to look for another job when you already have one. That feeling of desperation isn't there. The stress of worrying about keeping a roof over your head and eating isn't as much of a focal point as it would be if you were out of work.

Also, bear in mind that you aren't signing on for a lifetime of misery if you stay in the job in Michigan. Instead, see it as an opportunity to gain valuable experience in the workforce until something more suitable comes along in a place you want to live in. You are also building a network of contacts when you are working. If you do well at that job, your current manager may be willing to write a glowing recomendation for you when you do leave.

If you have family or friends back home, ask if they are willing to allow you to list their address on your resume and applications for future jobs. Most employers only want to talk to a local candidate. List your own cell phone number though. This way, you can look in the city you want to be in yet still appear to be a local candidate. If they call, explain that you are relocating to the area but are getting a jump start on your job search. If you are truly a viable candidate, they will still consider you for the job and may possibly do a phone interview. If needed, you can fly in for an interview.

Practice some patience and sooner or later, things WILL work out for you.

[Haver]

The twin cities has normally done better than the rest of the country economically, but in the past year or two its been worse than the national average, with a 6.2% unemployment rate. If you ride it out where you are until the situation has improved in a year or two, you'll be in a much better position when you do get over here.

[Clifford63]

Originally Posted by mhc.

I am a Minneapolis native although my family moved to Michigan when I was young. I am a recent college graduate (from a Michigan school) and I am planning on moving to Minneapolis in January.

I am currently working as a temporary employee at a major organization in Detroit where I had been an intern over the summer. It seems I have the opportunity to stay on as a full time employee.

I don't want to stay in Michigan, I have been wanting to move back to Minneapolis for quite some time but it is a hard choice in this economy to leave a possible full time position for a new city where I will have to find a new job with little professional experience.

I have read a lot of similar posts but I am desperate! I believe the economy in Minnesota/Minneapolis is better than it is in Michigan (most places are) but it is hard to feel optimistic from where I sit.

I guess my question is: can I justify leaving a full time position in Michigan for the unknown in Minneapolis? And, How is the job market for recent graduates in Minneapolis?

I have a very broad degree, I would be looking for general office/professional work I suppose or ideally something "creative" (writing/marketing/etc).

I would appreciate ANY information/advice/suggestions!!!!!

Thank you!

I truly believe this -- Those willing to work hard and do whatever it takes to succeed, will do so. Jobs are tight at the moment, but there are some to be had. Might help to look at the long term too.

[Alt Dach]

[quote=mhc.;5431354]I am a Minneapolis native although my family moved to Michigan when I was young. I am a recent college graduate (from a Michigan school) and I am planning on moving to Minneapolis in January.

I am currently working as a temporary employee at a major organization in Detroit where I had been an intern over the summer. It seems I have the opportunity to stay on as a full time employee.

I don't want to stay in Michigan, I have been wanting to move back to Minneapolis for quite some time but it is a hard choice in this economy to leave a possible full time position for a new city where I will have to find a new job with little professional experience.

I have read a lot of similar posts but I am desperate! I believe the economy in Minnesota/Minneapolis is better than it is in Michigan (most places are) but it is hard to feel optimistic from where I sit.

I guess my question is: can I justify leaving a full time position in Michigan for the unknown in Minneapolis? And, How is the job market for recent graduates in Minneapolis?

I have a very broad degree, I would be looking for general office/professional work I suppose or ideally something "creative" (writing/marketing/etc).

I would appreciate ANY information/advice/suggestions!!!!!

If I had a job now that was enough to live on and I thought I wasn't
about to lose. I would NOT give it up to move anywhere.
What you see now in the US economy is but the tip of the iceburg,
no one knows what will happen, in a year from now Mpls. will still be there.

[What!]

Slig, you posted some good info. But to the OP: stay where you are and DEFINITELY save up some money for the future. You can't trust the economy anymore. You're better off playing it safe until you feel secure.

[mhc.]

thank you for all your input! but yikes.......i was naively hoping for more positive responses! does it affect anyone's advice if I say that my job is associated with the automobile industry?

[Slig]

These responses are baloney. There are tons of jobs available. Case in point. I work for a company that is probably like 50-100 companies off of that list. We are currently in the act of coming out of chapter 11 and we're still hiring 9 positions in the Twin Cities area, 2 accounting positions, 2 HR positions, a supplier specialist, etc. Look how many large companies are in the Twin Cities. Guaranteed there are thousands of good paying positions available in these companies alone.

[Clifford63]

Originally Posted by mhc.

thank you for all your input! but yikes.......i was naively hoping for more positive responses! does it affect anyone's advice if I say that my job is associated with the automobile industry?

I don't feel that the best thing to do in tough econimic times is to stay at the job you have, unless it is a very stable job that is not likely to go away. Sounds like your current job is certianly less than stable, and you don't have a long history there.

Nobody has a crystal ball on what will happen with uncertianty in the air. If I was in your position, I might start sending out a lot of resumes and see if I could line up a new job before moving.

Great thing about being young is having less ties and obligations that can make change more difficult.

Best of luck figuring out what you want to do.