Pitt 12th best place for scientists among US academic institutions (Pittsburgh: how much, unemployment rate)

[BrianTH]

Here is the link:

Best Places to Work 2009: Academia :The Scientist [2009-11-01]

And a chart:

Best Places to Work: Industry 2009 - Top 40 US Institutions (http://www.the-scientist.com/fragments/bptw/2009/academia/bptw-academia-top40.jsp - broken link)

Pitt's strengths are listed as "research resources" and "job satisfaction", which makes sense given how much money and support has been pouring into Pitt recently.

[bethany12]

Every week Pittsburgh lands on a new list. So what? It hasn't changed anything. Lists don't balance budgets or pay taxes.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by bethany12

Every week Pittsburgh lands on a new list. So what? It hasn't changed anything. Lists don't balance budgets or pay taxes.

Although it is true that Pitt evolving into a top research institution hasn't solved all of the problems in the area, it certainly has helped make the local economic situation better than it would have been otherwise.

[Fiddlehead]

This is all just an appetizer for when Fiddlehead hits the faculty. That's when it will really go down...

I hear he is the Anton Chigurh of academia.......................................... ........................"call it!"

[bethany12]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Although it is true that Pitt evolving into a top research institution hasn't solved all of the problems in the area, it certainly has helped make the local economic situation better than it would have been otherwise.

How much worse can it get? More and more people are getting laid off. College kids who graduate from Pitt either have to leave town or take minimum wage jobs.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by bethany12

How much worse can it get?

It could be much worse right now. See, for example, Detroit.

More and more people are getting laid off.

Nonfarm jobs increased and the unemployment rate decreased in September on a non-seasonally-adjusted basis. It is true that the unemployment rate increased slightly on a seasonally adjusted basis, but even so it remains well below the national and state averages.

College kids who graduate from Pitt either have to leave town or take minimum wage jobs.

Most college kids at major national universities leave their college town. The overall statistics indicate that Pittsburgh has started gaining population among college-educated young people, whether from Pitt or elsewhere.

[Fiddlehead]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

It could be much worse right now. See, for example, Detroit.



Nonfarm jobs increased and the unemployment rate decreased in September on a non-seasonally-adjusted basis. It is true that the unemployment rate increased slightly on a seasonally adjusted basis, but even so it remains well below the national and state averages.



Most college kids at major national universities leave their college town. The overall statistics indicate that Pittsburgh has started gaining population among college-educated young people, whether from Pitt or elsewhere.

I agree. Although I do not want to diminish anyone's frustration in finding work in a place they desire, I do think Pittburgh is doing much better than many places. Out here in Oregon, the unemployment in some counties is over 15%. This is a very serious recession, and the fact that it is frustration, not a complete disaster, speaks well for your city.

Yes, it is also a bit sad that so few people can find work where they live in their field. It is the professional expectations that are cultivated in college. As a middle-aged academic, I must accept that there are only a few dozen markets in the entire country for my specialty, with upward of 50 (to 150+)spectacularly-talented people to compete with for each opening. So, it is certainly frustrating, even disheartening at times, and it is ok to vent a bit occasionally, but you really must dust yourself off and keep on. Alternatively, you can find some other work in the area, and count yourself thankful for the educational opportunity that so many of our parents never enjoyed, even if it did not translate into the big bucks in your area of preference, at least in the near term.