[mitopcat]

I've been really working around the clock. Steering away from playing video games, watching TV all day to finding good, in-demand jobs here in Michigan. I know the economy hasn't bounced back yet, nor will it for a long time. I am working with Michigan Works to go for training and at least get an Associates degree in either IT or CAD/CAM.

I have at least 5 years experience in CAD already. I've been told to just go for a degree in CAD, sense I have some experience behind it. I also went through training in multiple CAD systems.

I look at all the major job-sites in Michigan. I constantly update my resumes, look at linkedin, watch the news for job increase in such areas, check out websites about indemand jobs in Michigan and tons more. I seem to add more research day-by-day.

The idea here is to find out if an associates degree would be good to work for or am I wasting my time and money and should just go find a job working at BK for the rest of my life (or find a job that will hire for little to no experience).

Alright, to end my negative rant, I do want to get an associates degree in something. That is my goal.

On another question, for some reason I want to learn a second language. I've taken Spanish in middle school and French in high school (3 out of the 4 years). Do any of you see anything good going for IT or CAD with knowledge in a second language?

[MittenDweller82]

Originally Posted by mitopcat

I've been really working around the clock. Steering away from playing video games, watching TV all day to finding good, in-demand jobs here in Michigan. I know the economy hasn't bounced back yet, nor will it for a long time. I am working with Michigan Works to go for training and at least get an Associates degree in either IT or CAD/CAM.

I have at least 5 years experience in CAD already. I've been told to just go for a degree in CAD, sense I have some experience behind it. I also went through training in multiple CAD systems.

I look at all the major job-sites in Michigan. I constantly update my resumes, look at linkedin, watch the news for job increase in such areas, check out websites about indemand jobs in Michigan and tons more. I seem to add more research day-by-day.

The idea here is to find out if an associates degree would be good to work for or am I wasting my time and money and should just go find a job working at BK for the rest of my life (or find a job that will hire for little to no experience).

Alright, to end my negative rant, I do want to get an associates degree in something. That is my goal.

On another question, for some reason I want to learn a second language. I've taken Spanish in middle school and French in high school (3 out of the 4 years). Do any of you see anything good going for IT or CAD with knowledge in a second language?

It sounds like your doing the right things, although the problem is the sheer competition that is in the market right now. Employers have such a long blacklist of qualified applicants that they can be very selective. This, unfortunately squeezes young people out of the employment picture. You may (and I had to do this) is get a job in something completely not related to your field until you can find a suitable opening, keep contacts in the field as your are doing now. A degree will certainly be of your advantage, but again employers (in my view and experience) are biased in selecting those who have experience over education due to a stereotypical view that young college grads are not going to be productive.

Your certainly not the only one in your shoes, keep networking and exposing yourself in the market, get your degree and take whatever position you can with related experience.

Good Luck!

[northstar22]

I spent more than a year applying for all sorts of Michigan jobs; from professional careers requiring a bachelor's degree to burger flipper at McDonalds, with no offers. Sometimes I got to the interview stage, sometimes I got a form letter/e-mail rejection, usually just deadly silence. I applied to literally thousands of postings (not an exaggeration!) The competition was stiff, every posting I applied to had hundreds of applicants. I really wanted to stay in Michigan, but realized it just wasn't going to happen. I sent out some resumes to North Dakota back in January, and within a week I was employed. The economy in MI is just plain dead right now, and unless you know someone who can hire you, it will be extremely difficult to find a job.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by flyingwriter

I spent more than a year applying for all sorts of Michigan jobs; from professional careers requiring a bachelor's degree to burger flipper at McDonalds, with no offers. Sometimes I got to the interview stage, sometimes I got a form letter/e-mail rejection, usually just deadly silence. I applied to literally thousands of postings (not an exaggeration!) The competition was stiff, every posting I applied to had hundreds of applicants. I really wanted to stay in Michigan, but realized it just wasn't going to happen. I sent out some resumes to North Dakota back in January, and within a week I was employed. The economy in MI is just plain dead right now, and unless you know someone who can hire you, it will be extremely difficult to find a job.

If you don't mind me asking, what type of work did you end up getting work in? You can PM me if you want.

Also, places like Wyoming, the Dakotas, Nebraska and many college towns seem to be the places to look in terms of jobs, as far as lower unemployment. Any place with a strong government job presence(DC, Denver, etc..) would be good now too.

[Swansen]

Originally Posted by flyingwriter

I spent more than a year applying for all sorts of Michigan jobs; from professional careers requiring a bachelor's degree to burger flipper at McDonalds, with no offers. Sometimes I got to the interview stage, sometimes I got a form letter/e-mail rejection, usually just deadly silence. I applied to literally thousands of postings (not an exaggeration!) The competition was stiff, every posting I applied to had hundreds of applicants. I really wanted to stay in Michigan, but realized it just wasn't going to happen. I sent out some resumes to North Dakota back in January, and within a week I was employed. The economy in MI is just plain dead right now, and unless you know someone who can hire you, it will be extremely difficult to find a job.

That is really refreshing to hear, always good to know there is an out.

[northstar22]

Originally Posted by ckhthankgod

If you don't mind me asking, what type of work did you end up getting work in? You can PM me if you want.

Also, places like Wyoming, the Dakotas, Nebraska and many college towns seem to be the places to look in terms of jobs, as far as lower unemployment. Any place with a strong government job presence(DC, Denver, etc..) would be good now too.

I'm working for a non-profit community org, doing mostly grant writing and fundraising (I have experience in freelance writing). I also may do some work for the local airport (I also have exp. in aviation, hence my username "flyingwriter").

[northstar22]

The unemployment rate in ND is 4.4%, which is effectively full employment, and the lowest UE rate in the country. Michigan's is the highest at 14.7%. Amazingly, the biggest problem in ND isn't lack of jobs, it's lack of housing for new employees moving in from out of state.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by flyingwriter

The unemployment rate in ND is 4.4%, which is effectively full employment, and the lowest UE rate in the country. Michigan's is the highest at 14.7%. Amazingly, the biggest problem in ND isn't lack of jobs, it's lack of housing for new employees moving in from out of state.

Yep......That's why cities like Fargo, Grand Forks and South Dakota cities like Sioux Falls and Rapid City are growing.

Part of it could be due to being an area that still is heavily based in agriculture and not used to being sought after too much, until now.

[jaynarie]

Since you do have CAD experience, do you have contacts that could help you land a job?

I know someone with an Associates in CAD from ITT who graduated in 2004 and at the time only found 2 full time unpaid internships. He probably should have taken one because he now does oil changes at a car dealership.

[mitopcat]

Originally Posted by jaynarie

Since you do have CAD experience, do you have contacts that could help you land a job?

I know someone with an Associates in CAD from ITT who graduated in 2004 and at the time only found 2 full time unpaid internships. He probably should have taken one because he now does oil changes at a car dealership.

Thanks everyone for some feedback.

Yes. I've been talking to some managers/program managers where I use to work at. They would forward job opportunities to me in the same field. Linkedin has been a great resource for me, too. A few of the people I talked to with other companies has sent their info or me sending mine to them, has opened even more job opportunities there.

However, the same outcome has come up. A lot of these contacts are looking for designers or workers with some college background, which I have none. Sending out resumes and cover letters have proved fruitful but hasn't turned useful yet. So I'm still looking to attend school for advancing in CAD or turning over to something else.