What are Chi-Town's top career industries?

[Banx]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

I actually hate it. Probably 95% of people that were born in Chicago and/or grew up here never call it Chi-town.

I can vow for that.

[lisakf1]

I'm in the insurance industry and we hire all the time. In fact we are overflowing with work, we could definitely use more adjustors.

[hamiltonra25]

First post ever woo! I have to disagree with the finance sector being in a cool down phase right now. Granted there is a lot of turmoil with the economy currently, and it doesn't look good for the near future. However this does not mean that the finance sector is slow. Many people only think of the finance sector as stocks, so when stocks are down, there are no jobs. The truth is that Wall Street and CSE brokers are still making tons of money by short selling stocks. Essentially making money if the stock price goes down. Another reason finance isnt slow is that every company needs finance majors to crunch the numbers out. I am a senior in wisconsin right now majoring in finance, and moving to chicago in 6 months (the reason i came on here.) Basically they told us Wall Street firms that have gone under Goldman Sachs, Lehman Bros, arent hiring! Every other finance company is still looking for people. I wouldnt let a rough spot in the economy deter you from a finance major....most CEOs are finance guys/gals

[preppyglam]

What is Architecture and Interior Design like in a NORMAL economy in Chicago? (I realize right now A&D are hurting across the board due to the real estate crash and the subsequent economic slowdown).

Anyone in the field or have friends/family in the industry? Are there a fair amount of big firms and private practices that do well in Chicago?

I would think that Chicago being a metropolitan area with sizable suburban neighborhoods- it would normally be a great market for A&D. Chicago has had a long history with pioneers in the field, both in the city and influences in the burbs.

[chicagocubs]

Originally Posted by hamiltonra25

First post ever woo! I have to disagree with the finance sector being in a cool down phase right now. Granted there is a lot of turmoil with the economy currently, and it doesn't look good for the near future. However this does not mean that the finance sector is slow. Many people only think of the finance sector as stocks, so when stocks are down, there are no jobs. The truth is that Wall Street and CSE brokers are still making tons of money by short selling stocks. Essentially making money if the stock price goes down. Another reason finance isnt slow is that every company needs finance majors to crunch the numbers out. I am a senior in wisconsin right now majoring in finance, and moving to chicago in 6 months (the reason i came on here.) Basically they told us Wall Street firms that have gone under Goldman Sachs, Lehman Bros, arent hiring! Every other finance company is still looking for people. I wouldnt let a rough spot in the economy deter you from a finance major....most CEOs are finance guys/gals

Sorry...but, the finance industry is in a major downturn right now. Please look at the stats; finance jobs are the number one job losses in the country. I live in Charlotte, the number two finance area behind NYC. Getting a job anywhere in the finance industry right now is just not happening. Most finance majors are going into other industries.

Don't mean to burst your bubble, but, I would be looking at other areas or maybe to continue your education because the job market won't be pretty for a long while to come. (and, yes, I have worked in finance since 1999)

[Attrill]

There are new jobs being created at CME, but due to all the layoffs in NYC there is tough competition for all of them. Also, from what I've heard people who were laid off from NYMEX are getting the first shot at a lot of these jobs.