What’s so bad about the article? I’ll tell you what. The article claims to compile a list of growing jobs for the year of 2009, saying:
“To help your search and calm your nerves, we’ve put together a list of 10 jobs that college grads should look for this year.”
Then, claiming to compile data from the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ (NACE) Job Outlook 2009 and the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, they come up with a list of ten “healthy” job sectors. In reality, however, they flat out disregard data from NACE and quote outdated, pre-financial meltdown numbers from BLS (their handbook was written before 2006 and the world has changed considerably since then).
Let’s see what NACE really had to say about job prospects in 2009:
“College Hiring Flat for Class of 2009’
“Current projected hiring for the Class of 2009 shows very little growth over the hiring levels for the Class of 2008, but no expected decline.”
In fact, NACE found marked decreases in recruiting in business services (-3.1%) and only tiny increases in Professional Services (1.7%).
Then they use statistics from before 2006 to fabricate some sunny news. I mean, they used numbers created in 2005. In 2005, people still thought adjustable rate mortgages were a great idea. Americans liked George W. Bush enough to vote him in for a second term. People thought that in money markets, the stock market, and the real estate market the sky was the limit. Needless to say, things were different.
This should tick off anyone who knows anything about projections and the job market. There is no way these numbers are accurate for our times. There is no way the writer, Careerbuilder, or CNN actually thought this was based on solid facts. And yet, CNN has allowed Careerbuilder to slap this crap up on their page and pass it off as journalism, as advice to embattled job-seekers.
Kind of makes you sick, doesn’t it?
The writer of this article knows better. Careerbuilder knows better. CNN definitely knows better. Kind of makes you wonder what other crap they are feeding us.
]]>So if you live in one of the harder hit states and you’re looking for a change of scenery, consider one of these top ten states for jobs in 2009:
10. South Dakota
(-1.1 percent; 4,342 jobs lost) If you can get used to cold and frigid snowstorms, this plains state is a fine alternative.
9. Nevada
(-1 percent; 12,696 jobs lost) Surprisingly, despite its strong emphasis on gaming and hotels, this state is holding its own against the economic crisis and has been able to lure tourism despite tightening pocketbooks with deals like a five-dollar steak and egg breakfast or thirty-dollar hotel rooms. You can be sure, however, that more people are opting out of the Bellagio to stay at the Golden Nugget.
8. Oregon
(-1 percent; 17,737 jobs lost) With a variety of industries, from shoes to international trade to agriculture, this state has the job market diversity to weather the economic storm.
7. Nebraska
(-.9 percent; 8,374 jobs lost) This home state of legendary investor Warren Buffett has also done a fine job withstanding the economic crisis, perhaps because of its high concentration of agriculture.
6. New Mexico
(-.9 percent; 7,164 jobs lost) With virtually no manufacturing, real estate, tourism, or financial sectors to speak of, this state remains unchanged by the financial meltdown.
5. North Dakota
(-.8 percent; 2,809 jobs lost) Something is going on up in then there plain states. My guess is agriculture, a few strong companies like Union Pacific, and a general lack of manufacturing.
4. Texas
(-.7 percent; 71,930 jobs lost) This state has performed well in creating job growth over the last few years by attracting large companies with tax breaks and jobseekers with a family friendly atmosphere. Plentiful jobs and an affordable cost of living should keep this state in the top ten for years to come.
3. Washington
(-.2 percent; 6,939 jobs lost) Like its northwest neighbor, this state enjoys a diverse job market, from computers (Microsoft) to fruit companies (you know, apples?). Its metropolitan center boasts a family friendly atmosphere, beautiful scenery, and a strong emphasis on health. These factors have made Seattle a magnet for big companies.
2. District of Columbia
(-.1 percent; 633 jobs lost) Okay, you know that big stimulus bill going through Congress to the tune of $800 billion? Well, guess where a huge chunk of that money is going. Why, to hire more government workers in nearly every agency from the CIA to HUD, of course. Where will those jobs mostly be located? In our nation’s capitol, of course. So, business in other parts of the Beltway may crumble and fall, but we won’t let our government fall, dagnabbit. No, we will make it bigger and better than before. I sure hope at least some of that money makes it my way…
1. Colorado
(.8 percent; 18,708 jobs created) That’s right. I did not forget the negative sign. One state in the Union will actually experience positive job growth this year. Like so many of our top ten, this state boasts strong business growth, breathtaking surroundings, and a family-friendly environment. As soon as this report hits the general populace, unfortunately, those 18,708 jobs will be gobbled up like a house fly in an ant hole.
So, you heard it here first: Colorado is the new promised land. Note to other states: diversiying your industry make-up, family-friendly communities, and natural beauty matter. Of course, it’s too late for the other guys to change that now.
How about job growth (or loss) in your state? Tell us how things are going in the comments!
]]>If you have been wondering about how the recession is going to affect your state, check out this list of the worst 10 states for job losses in 2009. It may be time to either relocate to Colorado or strengthen your resume. Things are about to get rough…
10. Mississippi
(-2.61 percent; 29,693 jobs lost)
With U.S. manufacturing, especially auto manufacturing, declining faster than ever, this blue collar state is hating life.
9. West Virginia
(-2.7 percent; 20,409 jobs lost)
You should be seeing a trend forming here. States, like West Virginia, that have depended on manufacturing are getting hammered especially hard by the economic crisis.
8. Massachusetts
(-2.8 percent; 90,025 jobs lost)
This may be evidence that, while the economic crisis is starting with blue collar auto workers, it will not leave white collar and education-sector jobs untouched.
7. Kentucky
(-2.85 percent; 51,341 jobs lost)
Again, manufacturing jobs are getting hit the hardest. This is going to get really repetitive before I’m done.
6. Ohio
(-2.9 percent; 154,938 jobs lost)
Repeat after me: the blue collar manufacturing job market is becoming a swirling vortex of doom. Get out while you can!
5. Missouri
(-2.93 percent; 80,550 jobs lost)
Repeat. Manufacturing workers, abandon ship. Go back to school. Do whatever you have to do to get out before the roof collapses on you.
4. Florida
(-3 percent; 231,265 jobs lost)
The other bad places to be in this economy are real estate and tourism. And Florida, unfortunately, has both. Quickly sliding down the backside of a huge housing boom, this state has more houses than it can sell. Add to that a huge drop in people willing to fork out the cash to visit Disneyworld and Miami, and you have a big problem for the Sunshine State.
3. Hawaii
(-3.4 percent; 21,228 jobs lost)
The Aloha State’s biggest problem? It relies almost solely on travel and tourism. When budgets on the mainland and overseas tighten up, the first thing to go is that yearly trip to Kona and the timeshare in Turtle Bay. Worst of all for this island state, there are no other industries in the state large enough to buffer the economy. Expect to see a lot of people relocating elsewhere from this beautiful but mismanaged state.
2. Connecticut
(-3.45 percent; 56,882 jobs lost)
This state will likely be hit on two fronts. First, its blue collar manufacturing sector will suffer just like in other states. To make matters worse, however, the cash that used to come into the state from the Wall Street fat cats that call Connecticut home will falter. This drop in cash inflow will hurt every kind of consumer business in the state.
1. Michigan
(-4.3 percent; 175,368 jobs lost)
This is no surprise. The fates of the U.S. automakers are directly tied to the future of this state. With the Big Five taking beatings daily in the news and in their performance, job prospects in this overwhelmingly blue collar manufacturing state are dismal. With no salvation in sight for automakers, employees are being paid to leave. My advice: take the money and get into another career. Auto manufacturing is not a good place right now for anyone.
That’s the worst of it! New York, Iowa, Rhode Island, and Utah aren’t far behind. Check out the silver lining later this week when we talk about the 10 best states. Okay, so it’s more like a bronze lining.
How are job losses in your state? Or are you from a state with actual job growth (gasp!)? Tell us in the comments!
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