Economy and Unemployment

[azngi16]

How bad is the economy? Unemployment rate around 15% in Michigan. Stories of those unemployed.

[newwave]

It's very scary. I've been unemployed two years and can't find anything (my experience is communications and marketing). Because the economy is so bad companies that used to pay in the range of $40,000 are paying around $25,000. They know they can.

[renaissancewoman101]

I've been unemployed since Jan. Was a tech writer for a startup firm. Looking for the same line of work. Right now no real bites, but may have some bites by summer (since from my contacts, there seems to be new tech projects on the horizon, mostly government stuff), so hopefully will be able to find a job by then.

 

Currently, I live off UI and savings and my parents help me every so often. I job search most days and work out in order to keep sane. Life is ok.

 

Unemployment in CA is pretty high too.

[Theblueman123]

Oh god memories of when I lived there... Detroit is really sad now. I have a story though, one of my family members (who is a teacher, got layed off). Had to enlist in the military in order to support her children.

[HellFrost666]

Been unemployed since November... I've had a few short term temp jobs since then, but nothing to offer any kind of security. I live in Ohio (right next door...) It's probably about as bad there as it is here.

 

I am a college graduate, and I can't even get a job washing dishes.

[GettingBetter]

In the engineering market in California, things are slow, but ok. At my school, among those of us graduating this semester, probably a handful of us have decent jobs already lined up. Many others have leads. Most don't have anything, but industry seems to be doing a pretty good job of finding the best among us. It's mostly the defense industry hiring engineers right now.

 

My understanding, however, is that engineering is doing better than any other field right now. It seems that electrical and computer engineering, and computer science, are doing better than mechanical or civil engineering. Not sure about chemical engineering or others...

[OntheWire]

Not sure what the rate is around here. But jobs are definitely tight. I resigned from my full-time job last year because I was 99% sure they were about to push me out the door anyways. I found a part-time job at the beginning of this year, but that's it for now... it's not much, but it's enough.