 
Urbanoutdoors
Member
Username: Urbanoutdoors
Post Number: 677
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 2:32 pm: |    |
I am probably the biggest Detroit advocate I know, yet I have recently graduated from college (last May) and cannot find a job anywhere in the city. Is it me or is the economy in Michigan/Detroit that bad. I am open to anything. I have a friend who has a job for me in Chicago but I want to try to stay in Detroit if possible. This is my last hope because I am not finding anything elsewhere. |
Chitaku
Member
Username: Chitaku
Post Number: 1758
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 2:39 pm: | |
it's bad man, I graduated in media production and I'm doing everything i can not to move but it is looking bleak. |
Alan55
Member
Username: Alan55
Post Number: 1007
Registered: 09-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 2:45 pm: | |
The economic situation in S.E. Michigan is so bad it may be closer to a local depression than a recession. Even the minimum wage jobs at the fast-food outlets and big-box stores have dried up. |
Alan55
Member
Username: Alan55
Post Number: 1008
Registered: 09-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 2:48 pm: | |
P.S. - What sort of degree did you earn, and in what job area would you hope to work, Urban? Maybe some forumers can give you some job tips. |
Rocket_city
Member
Username: Rocket_city
Post Number: 512
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 2:52 pm: | |
I'm in the same boat. Hanging by a thread, but I figure if I start a career away, I can work my way back to where I want to be...and that is Detroit. |
Urbanoutdoors
Member
Username: Urbanoutdoors
Post Number: 678
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 3:00 pm: | |
Bachelor’s of Arts in Social Science, with an emphasis in Political Science, Minor in English. I am also one class away from having a certificate in Detroit Studies. So it is a very broad degree. |
Vas
Member
Username: Vas
Post Number: 867
Registered: 01-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 3:07 pm: | |
the casinos still need people. That can tide you over until you get something else. |
D_mcc
Member
Username: D_mcc
Post Number: 34
Registered: 12-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 4:29 pm: | |
Try looking for a job in architecture, I had to move south to find work. I must have sent out about 50-60 resumes in the Detroit area before a firm in the south called me up. I graduated in May of '07 even. |
Supersport
Member
Username: Supersport
Post Number: 11734
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 4:34 pm: | |
I'm a huge Detroit supporter, but sometimes you simply have to face the facts, things ARE that bad. My mom has a factory job and witnessed 60 people get escorted out, fired, over the past two days. Funny how they did it, as they wanted to lay off 60 people, and did so by finding people they could fire for reasons they could justify, as opposed to lay off. I'm sure in some way it was financially beneficial to the company to do it this way.
Anyway, my recommendation given Michigan's current situation, leave. Perhaps if for no other reason, you'll likely have multiple opportunities elsewhere. Here, say you do find a job, and you come to find out you don't like it. Now, here you have rent/house payment due, bills, a car payment, and other costs that you still need to cover. So, you have no other choice than to stick with a job you don't like, because other opportunities don't exist.
In other cities, if you don't like your job, often many other opportunities are out there. In Detroit/Michigan, I know many people who either can't find work, or hate their jobs and can't find anything out there, so they remain where they are, and remain miserable.
I'm not denying that Detroit and Michigan don't have a special attraction, one that perhaps somebody can't understand until they've lived here. In the mean time, try other opportunities in other cities, get some experience under your belt, see what's out there. Then, after some time away, make your way back to Michigan when things have got better. |
D_mcc
Member
Username: D_mcc
Post Number: 35
Registered: 12-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 4:42 pm: | |
Not to be a naysayer...but its not just Detroit anymore. Everyone else in the country seems to think we're in a recession except for the man who sits behind a big oak desk in an oval office. I don't blame him for the optimism, but you have to fault him for being an idiot to say the American economy is on solid footing.
That makes sense when the CANADIAN dollar is worth more than the American one, and we spend 7 billion dollars a day on a war that 80+% of Americans think is pointless. |
Jimaz
Member
Username: Jimaz
Post Number: 4207
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 4:49 pm: | |
Have you considered telecommuting to an out-of-state job? Or would that not be feasible in your field? |
Mikeg
Member
Username: Mikeg
Post Number: 1380
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 5:13 pm: | |
Every day you wait for something to open up here is a one less day you will have gaining experience in the career you really want. If you can find something in that career field now, take it, regardless of where it is. You will change employers numerous times in your career, use those opportunities to relocate to a more desirable location. |
Charlottepaul
Member
Username: Charlottepaul
Post Number: 2182
Registered: 10-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 5:21 pm: | |
I was in the same boat as well. I finished school in spring 2006 (M. Arch.). I started job searching in February 2006 around the Detroit area. Then I started branching out to cities where I at least had some connection and a preference for at least remaining close to Detroit--a.k.a. Ohio, once it was getting closer to graduation. After most of the summer passed I ended up getting my current job in Charlotte at an architecture firm where one of my fraternity brothers had worked for the summer. The job market down here is basically the opposite (at least in my profession) as in Detroit. Can't build enough buildings or build them fast enough... |
Charlottepaul
Member
Username: Charlottepaul
Post Number: 2183
Registered: 10-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 5:25 pm: | |
"In the mean time, try other opportunities in other cities, get some experience under your belt, see what's out there. Then, after some time away, make your way back to Michigan when things have got better."
This is the best case scenario now, unfortunately--build the resume up and then move back to the D down the road. |
Livernoisyard
Member
Username: Livernoisyard
Post Number: 4728
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 6:33 pm: | |
Degrees in broad areas = next to nothing for Detroit jobs.
Degrees in IT, Comp Sci = not good in Detroit because many entry/middle-level IT positions were off-shored years ago to Eastern Europe, the Pacific Rim, Indonesia, etc. Even BSEE degrees went that route.
These degrees may not be so bad for entry-level jobs elsewhere, but Detroit IT jobs are usually for experienced only due to thousands with experience w/o jobs in this area. I know some with UoM Comp Sci degrees who never worked in that field after graduating three/four years ago. |
D_mcc
Member
Username: D_mcc
Post Number: 41
Registered: 12-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 6:40 pm: | |
"The job market down here is basically the opposite (at least in my profession) as in Detroit. Can't build enough buildings or build them fast enough.."
Same here in florida, depending on the sector you work in. Which School did you go to? U-M, UD, LTU? |
Eriedearie
Member
Username: Eriedearie
Post Number: 500
Registered: 08-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 6:42 pm: | |
Tell you what Urban - if you do end up finding a job in architecture in Detroit, please let me know if there's an opening for an assistant there. My sister would love to get back into an architectural firm - preferably in Troy or the surrounding area. She's been out of work from her previous firm for well over three years now, due to downsizing. So it is bad, bad, bad in Metro Detroit for that line of work.
Also in the auto industry as everyone well knows. My brother and his wife had to move to California to get jobs as auto and jet plane designers!
It's a damn shame that people that want to stay in Detroit, some born in Detroit, have been run out of state because they can't find work here.
Good luck and keep us posted. |
D_mcc
Member
Username: D_mcc
Post Number: 42
Registered: 12-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 6:45 pm: | |
^It's all about who you know in Detroit architecture firms. I had plenty of interviews, but no offers. It was sad to see less talented students i graduated with get jobs based on being friends with someone 2-3 years older, just to get fired 2 months later because they couldn't handle the work load. |
Chitaku
Member
Username: Chitaku
Post Number: 1761
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 6:53 pm: | |
for you architects, while browsing for jobs I noticed the Albert Kahn firm had some openings |
Livernoisyard
Member
Username: Livernoisyard
Post Number: 4729
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 7:02 pm: | |
quote:Not to be a naysayer...but its not just Detroit anymore. Everyone else in the country seems to think we're in a recession except for the man who sits behind a big oak desk in an oval office. I don't blame him for the optimism, but you have to fault him for being an idiot to say the American economy is on solid footing.
That makes sense when the CANADIAN dollar is worth more than the American one, and we spend 7 billion dollars a day on a war that 80+% of Americans think is pointless. Actually, the job market elsewhere is not dismal for those who wisely choose areas to study instead of taking ho-hum, Mickey-Mouse basket-weaving curricula. Trouble is that way too many take the easy routes and even incur debt in the process.
Personnel guys look at those types and scratch their heads before moving on to other poor souls' resumes. Hint: Press delete button for such online resumes--if their bots ever retrieve them, that is... |
Barnesfoto
Member
Username: Barnesfoto
Post Number: 4639
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 7:04 pm: | |
If there is a job in Chicago waiting for you, take it.
Things are going to suck in Detroit for a while. Go live in a more vibrant city for a while and get some work experience.Detroit will always be there if you want to come back.
(speaking from experience)
And...lots of architectural jobs in Los Angeles, as they are still building apt buildings and converting old warehouses into lofts here at a frantic pace. |
Track75
Member
Username: Track75
Post Number: 2684
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 7:19 pm: | |
Start your job search at the top of the list and work your way down. I guarantee you'll get a job before you reach #51 Michigan.
| State unemployment, November 2007 | «click column headings to re-sort table» | | | Rank | State | Rate | | 1 | IDAHO | 2.7 | | 2 | SOUTH DAKOTA | 2.8 | | 2 | UTAH | 2.8 | | 4 | HAWAII | 2.9 | | 4 | WYOMING | 2.9 | | 6 | NEBRASKA | 3.1 | | 6 | NORTH DAKOTA | 3.1 | | 8 | VIRGINIA | 3.2 | | 9 | DELAWARE | 3.4 | | 9 | MONTANA | 3.4 | | 9 | NEW HAMPSHIRE | 3.4 | | 9 | NEW MEXICO | 3.4 | | 13 | ALABAMA | 3.5 | | 13 | LOUISIANA | 3.5 | | 15 | MARYLAND | 3.7 | | 16 | KANSAS | 3.8 | | 17 | IOWA | 3.9 | | 17 | VERMONT | 3.9 | | 19 | ARIZONA | 4.1 | | 19 | COLORADO | 4.1 | | 21 | NEW JERSEY | 4.2 | | 21 | PENNSYLVANIA | 4.2 | | 21 | TEXAS | 4.2 | | 24 | FLORIDA | 4.3 | | 24 | MASSACHUSETTS | 4.3 | | 26 | GEORGIA | 4.4 | | 26 | MINNESOTA | 4.4 | | 28 | OKLAHOMA | 4.5 | | 29 | NEW YORK | 4.6 | | 29 | WEST VIRGINIA | 4.6 | | 31 | INDIANA | 4.7 | | 31 | NORTH CAROLINA | 4.7 | | 31 | WASHINGTON | 4.7 | | 34 | MAINE | 4.9 | | 34 | TENNESSEE | 4.9 | | 36 | CONNECTICUT | 5 | | 36 | KENTUCKY | 5 | | 38 | WISCONSIN | 5.1 | | 39 | ILLINOIS | 5.2 | | 39 | MISSOURI | 5.2 | | 39 | RHODE ISLAND | 5.2 | | 42 | NEVADA | 5.4 | | 43 | OREGON | 5.5 | | 44 | CALIFORNIA | 5.6 | | 44 | OHIO | 5.6 | | 46 | ARKANSAS | 5.7 | | 46 | DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA | 5.7 | | 48 | SOUTH CAROLINA | 5.9 | | 49 | MISSISSIPPI | 6.3 | | 50 | ALASKA | 6.4 | | 51 | MICHIGAN | 7.4 | | Source: | | | | Bureau of Labor Statistics | | | | | | |
|
Detroitrise
Member
Username: Detroitrise
Post Number: 1308
Registered: 09-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 7:22 pm: | |
Now it's just sad when you have better chances of snagging a job in Alaska (or D.C.) instead of Michigan. |
Elviswithteeth
Member
Username: Elviswithteeth
Post Number: 59
Registered: 03-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 7:24 pm: | |
Jobs in Michigan? Better chance on hitting the lottery! GO figure! |
Detroitrise
Member
Username: Detroitrise
Post Number: 1309
Registered: 09-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 7:25 pm: | |
^^^And the Michigan Lottery is just as crappy as the Michigan economy, lol. |
Livernoisyard
Member
Username: Livernoisyard
Post Number: 4730
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 7:30 pm: | |
Those unemployment stats under 3 1/2% generally equate to a real rate of nearly zero percent because 3% or so are always virtually unemployable without AA or other government assistance. |
Digitalvision
Member
Username: Digitalvision
Post Number: 487
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 7:32 pm: | |
Agreed, Livernoisyard... in fact, in those tech fields, it's hard for the companies I know to get talent who are looking as the people they want don't want to stay - they want West Coast/NY life.
It's one of the reasons I think Detroit's revival is so, so key.
Chitaku, what skills do you have?
I know some different folks in different areas at a few places, maybe I can find a fit if I know what you're looking for and skill set.
No promises of course, but I'd be glad to pass your resume/reel/portfolio/whatever around if I hear something (and I do on a pretty regular basis).
What I've found is the key to finding a job or employment is knowing people. A LOT of people. The more people you know, the better off you'll be. Even though this is a tough economy, I know a lot of people finding jobs - because they network. They use things like LinkedIn like crazy.
Especially when things are slow or tight, it's more of who you know than what you know.
When it comes to jobs in this area, I have to say - the new hires I see happening are in Troy, Royal Oak and Birmingham. Oakland County, as much as the pro-Detroiter in me hates to say it, is the economic "semi-center" of the region now, especially for small to midsize business.
I've seen a lot of movement from other areas to Troy in the last two years, especially in the technology field, mostly because their CEOs/management/new key investors live out that way.
Detroit should be getting those companies. I'm putting together a pro-Detroit for technology and cutting edge businesses presentation I'll be giving at the business organizations I'm a member of and anyone else who will listen.
There are many great benefits (including fast bandwidth and access to fiber at really great rates) downtown, especially.
There is also a lot of quality space at reasonable prices - if only could fix the parking thing. |
D_mcc
Member
Username: D_mcc
Post Number: 43
Registered: 12-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 9:45 pm: | |
"Actually, the job market elsewhere is not dismal for those who wisely choose areas to study instead of taking ho-hum, Mickey-Mouse basket-weaving curricula. Trouble is that way too many take the easy routes and even incur debt in the process.
Personnel guys look at those types and scratch their heads before moving on to other poor souls' resumes. Hint: Press delete button for such online resumes--if their bots ever retrieve them, that is..."
I don't really consider a degree in architecture a ho-hum degree as you have said, and yet I know a lot of friends I graduated with who work in print shops and hospital reception desks, because there is nothing going on here.
I hate to say it, but in the architectural community, that kind of falls on the companies that ARE building in Michigan. I say that because a lot of those companies look to firms in Chicago, NYC, and LA to design the buildings they build in Detroit, and don't look locally to the extremely talented firms and individuals have have little to no say in the architectural language being constructed in their own back yards. |
Evelyn
Member
Username: Evelyn
Post Number: 53
Registered: 02-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 10:31 pm: | |
I hate to be a naysayer as well, but if you have a job offer in Chicago, take it. You can always work your way back to Detroit.
There just aren't many jobs in Michigan, and certainly not for recent college grads. I had to leave the state to find work, along with several of my friends. The mass exodus of people from the state is not about the weather!
Looking for a job can be hard enough, without looking in an area with a bad economy. It's easy to get very discouraged job hunting here- because there aren't that many jobs to be had. (I know from experience!)
I'm proud to say I'm from Detroit, but I had to move to find employment. |
Livernoisyard
Member
Username: Livernoisyard
Post Number: 4733
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 10:41 pm: | |
quote:I don't really consider a degree in architecture a ho-hum degree as you have said, and yet I know a lot of friends I graduated with who work in print shops and hospital reception desks, because there is nothing going on here. My, my. But aren't we the touchy one! Surely you should be able to surmise that I was referring to nondirected BA curricula (which, in all essence, are really BS...). For example, social science, political science, Detroit, etc.
Anybody paying for four or more years of that (assuming that somebody paid...) should have been contemplating whatever good might come out of all that. One doesn't even need to attend college for that! BOTOH, I have encountered hundreds over the years who merely think that a college degree in anything will get them work.
But the real world rotates on a different axis... |