For seniors, the job search starts...possibly out of state
Graduation quickly is approaching, which means the job search is on for many Central Michigan University seniors.
Currently, Michigan's unemployment rate, at 12.6 percent in March, is the highest in the country, leading many graduating seniors to look outside of the state's borders for jobs.
Paul Natke, chairman of the economics department, said the trend is not a new one, and that for decades Michigan has shipped its college graduates to neighboring states.
Natke said Michigan's reliance on manufacturing and industries that do not require higher education degrees has been the cause of the exodus in the past. But now, another factor plays a role.
"Of course, the recession that affects everyone, and also we're going through a major economic restructuring," Natke said.
Director of Career Services Julia Barlow Sherlock said her department has seen an increase in the number of students looking outside of the state for employment.
She said the days of students moving back to their hometowns are over and that a shrinking world makes bigger moves seem more feasible.
"I think with the use of technology and all the second, third and fourth level networking like Facebook and Twitter, their world has shrunk and they see other opportunities outside of the state of Michigan," Sherlock said.
She said the poor economy also is encouraging people to look for opportunities wherever possible.
"Whether it's permanent or temporary, they're looking for the best opportunity for them" she said. "Sometimes it's in state. Sometimes it's out of state."
John Morelli is graduating in eight days, and has found a temporary job in Florida to keep him busy over the summer.
The Warren senior plans to move to Orlando and work for Sea World, but says he will come back to Michigan to find a more permanent job with one of the state's professional sports teams.
"Majoring in sports studies, I think this will help me long-term if I want to work for an NFL team or something like that," Morelli said. "But growing up in Michigan, I've become accustomed to Detroit sports."
Natke foresees more jobs being available for college graduates like Morelli, after the state undergoes economic restructuring, however, he said it is impossible to know which sector those jobs will fall in.
"If it's the state government trying to the lead the restructuring, it will depend on whatever jobs or industries they feel will do the job," Natke said.
However, Natke hopes entrepreneurs will take the reigns and work out practical solutions.
"(The government should let) market and industry entrepreneurs make those choices," Natke said. "A lot will fail, but others will find solutions that work."
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