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My question is, if you are out of work and living in poverty, yet you want to earn a good job with a decent, steady income to provide a quality standard of living, would it be better to be living in, or be seeking to move to, one of the most liberal cities, or one of the most conservative cities?
The place to go for work is Williston, North Dakota and surrounding areas. Because of the oil boom, there are a variety of different jobs, blue and white collar in the industry itself and in the industries that cater to the people who go there for work (hotels, restaurants, construction, etc.).
"Oil field workers in the state saw an average annual wage of $112,462 in 2012. Competition has intensified since the boom started around 2007, but entry level rig workers still average about $66,000 a year, according to Rigzone, an industry information provider and job website."
"With oil come jobs. Williston and its surrounding areas have generated over 75,000 new jobs, and average annual wages have more than tripled in the past decade, going from $24,841 in 2002 to $78,364 today. For those in the oil field, who typically work long overtime hours, the average wage in the state is $112,462. The state now has 22,000 more jobs than people looking for work. Nearly every business in town has “Help Wanted” signs and has raised wages to attract employees. McDonald’s started offering $300 signing bonuses, and the hourly pay for a cashier position at Walmart starts at $17.50, twice as much as the same position in other locations. And if a jobseeker can snag a job in the oil industry, they can make over $100,000 with no college degree." (November 2013 article)
1 NORTH DAKOTA 2.6
2 SOUTH DAKOTA 3.6
3 NEBRASKA 3.7
4 UTAH 4.3
5 Four states tied for 5th with a 4.4 HAWAII, IOWA, VERMONT and WYOMING
These states have the highest unemployment rates:
46 CALIFORNIA 8.5
47 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 8.6
48 ILLINOIS 8.7
49 MICHIGAN 8.8
50 Two states tie for worst with 9.0: NEVADA and RHODE ISLAND
If the poor are concentrated in the biggest cities, I wouldn't live there because you'll be taxed higher for any city programs, in addition to state programs, to pay for those programs, once you have a job.
Right now, if I were a young man, fresh out of high school and had no college intentions or ability to go, I would go to one of the oil fields and find employment. If I had to take a bus, hitchhike or walk. I would go to one of the oil towns and walk into the unemployment office and say I want to go to work anywhere. I might not get on with a drilling company overnight, but I would start building my resume in that direction. If I had to work at a convenience store at the moment, I would try to get the night shift in order to free up my days to look for potential opportunities to move closer to my goals. While most oil field towns are more right wing towns than left, I don't think it really makes a difference. You go towards the money.
The oil boom is going to bust, and when it does, it's gonna be REALLY ugly.
I would advise any young man to take his butt to college and get himself an education. Then you can strike out and find a job after that...with a degree in your hand.
The oil boom is going to bust, and when it does, it's gonna be REALLY ugly.
I would advise any young man to take his butt to college and get himself an education. Then you can strike out and find a job after that...with a degree in your hand.
Didn't you just write this??
Quote:
You go where the jobs are depending on what sector you work in. If you wanna work in the oilfields, you surely wouldn't move to Miami.
The oil boom is going to bust, and when it does, it's gonna be REALLY ugly.
I would advise any young man to take his butt to college and get himself an education. Then you can strike out and find a job after that...with a degree in your hand.
I sometimes wonder if the oil boom that southeast Texas and Houston in particular are riding right now will bust and when it will bust. I also wonder if and when this happens if the fall of Houston will mimic the fall of Detroit.
You would think cities would learn to diversify their economies. I'd be willing to bet that almost half of Houston's skyline is owed to the large oil corporations that have set up shop there. When we DO find another source of energy to replace oil, or when oil runs out, Houston will probably become the next Detroit.
The oil boom is going to bust, and when it does, it's gonna be REALLY ugly.
I would advise any young man to take his butt to college and get himself an education. Then you can strike out and find a job after that...with a degree in your hand.
You won't get an argument from me about eventually having the bubble pop again in the oil fields.. I've lived the boom and bust of them for over 40 years. The question is what can a young person without the ability to go to college for what ever reason, do in order to prepare for a productive life? A young person with a high school diploma and determination can go into the oil fields right now, and make more money than a college grad. If he saves, he can pay in cash for a degree after a downturn. I can tell you right now that we are at least 15 years away from another bust, but you go ahead and believe what you will. College isn't the answer for everyone but everyone has to start somewhere.
You won't get an argument from me about eventually having the bubble pop again in the oil fields.. I've lived the boom and bust of them for over 40 years. The question is what can a young person without the ability to go to college for what ever reason, do in order to prepare for a productive life? A young person with a high school diploma and determination can go into the oil fields right now, and make more money than a college grad. If he saves, he can pay in cash for a degree after a downturn. I can tell you right now that we are at least 15 years away from another bust, but you go ahead and believe what you will. College isn't the answer for everyone but everyone has to start somewhere.
World events can change that 15 years number into 15 days overnight.
I don't EVER trust booms under any circumstances.
And sure, they could save for that college education, but let's face reality...oilfield guys spend their dough as fast ad they can make it. They won't save much if any money at all.
World events can change that 15 years number into 15 days overnight.
I don't EVER trust booms under any circumstances.
And sure, they could save for that college education, but let's face reality...oilfield guys spend their dough as fast ad they can make it. They won't save much if any money at all.
That's strange.... I saved mine for 17 years before the last bust in the 80's... A lot of people I knew did. I made enough money to save a large chunk of money and still have money to blow. Someone who is immature is going to be immature irrespective of where they working for Mustang drilling co. or 7-11.
That's strange.... I saved mine for 17 years before the last bust in the 80's... A lot of people I knew did. I made enough money to save a large chunk of money and still have money to blow. Someone who is immature is going to be immature irrespective of where they working for Mustang drilling co. or 7-11.
On C-D, everyone did the right thing. I get it.
Meanwhile in real life...
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