Sometimes while starting the 10-minute process of getting myself and my daughter ready to go out in the snow, I’ll ask “Why did we move to Michigan?” And my husband will remind me: The great cost of living, the career opportunities, the ability to walk our kids to school … and summer weekends Up North.” Even a broken clock is right twice a day.
Like many millennials who graduated from college around or after 2008, I moved out of Michigan to pursue career opportunities that weren’t available locally. I ended up in Washington, D.C. and loved my time on Capitol Hill. But after a while, it was time to come home. My husband and I were a little skeptical about the job market. We had heard anecdotes about Michigan’s rebound but had yet to experience it ourselves. In 2015, we moved to Grand Rapids and learned for ourselves that Michigan’s economy is booming.
Today, I know from experience that Michigan is a great place to have a career. The vibrant job market is a sign that the economy is growing and job-hunters have a number of opportunities. According to a University of Michigan economic study, at the end of 2018, the state reached nine years of uninterrupted job growth. And, the study predicted continued job growth for the next two years.
This vibrant environment didn’t just happen overnight. And, it didn’t happen without work. Legislators, local organizations, non-profits, and companies worked hard to bring strong businesses here and create communities where people want to live. In fact, last year U.S. News and World Report named Grand Rapids the 12th best place to live in the United States.
In my job hunt, I found a great connection at Truscott Rossman. One reason I was attracted to TR is because of our firm’s work with many of the groups that invest in Michigan’s economy and job market. Experience Grand Rapids promotes Beer City and all of the great things to do in this community, Van Andel Institute opened the doors to medical innovation on the westside of the state twenty years ago and DTE Energy Foundation gives charitable donations statewide to local communities to support their economic vibrancy. These are inspiring groups that make coming to work fun.
All of this combined is why Michigan is not only a great place – but the best place in my opinion – to have a career. Especially in the summer, when you’re two hours away from a weekend at the lake.