[aquadejoe]

What would you say are the main types of "in demand" jobs/careers now and in the future in Traverse City area and in northern Michigan in general? My husband and I are in the food/hospitality and medical field. Our ultimate goal would be to move to northern michigan within the next 3 years and I am trying to get a sense of the job market there and looking into what we could do now as far as job training and education in the next few years to increase our chances of finding jobs in the Traverse City area in the future. There always seem to be nursing jobs but I am not a nurse so that rules out that obvious choice. Just would like some input on who the big employers are, what areas people are in up there that seem to be making a comfortable living and how much a year would you say the average family of four would need to make to live in Traverse City and not be living pay check to pay check.

[trickey280]

Jobs are bad everywhere in the state. A little better on the west coast than on the east. I am not sure about TC. I am from the east side of the state, I have lived from Monroe to Alpena. I think the best bet is for nursing. I am a medical assistant and it took me 1 year to find a job after school. Have a job before making the move other wise you will end up on state assistance and struggling, right along with us all.

[eztime]

If you have a three years to move and enjoy medical field, go back to school and receive your nursing degree. Medical employment that doesn't require a degree is usually highly competitive and really will not pay well. With Michigan's aging population and migration of nurses and workers from Michigan to other states, there is always the need for nurses no matter wherever you want to relocate.

Biggest medical employer in Traverse City area is Munson. They have a good reputation and serve as the goto place for complex cases. They have interests or alliances with all the hospitals in the nearby counties such as Manistee, Wexford, Kalkaska. See their website for job openings. Munson Healthcare In Manistee County, West Shore is the 2nd largest employer behind the casino. Locals call it Death Shore though since it has issues with physician retention and often a lack of customer focus. Hospital management seems to need to get some sort of quality feedback and customer improvement program going like Munson has. Going south a little ways Ludington has Memorial Hospital but they also suffer from quality and customer focus perspective.

Grand Rapids Spectrum Health system has the best reputation on the west side of the state. Much farther south of course but many jobs there.

[Peter B]

Medical field is the tops in demand in the Traverse area. I work in Munson Hospital and my wife is an attorney in Traverse City. We moved here 6 years ago from Long Island and are very happy. We both have very good jobs which are hard to come by up here. Lot's of folks are hurting financially and some are doing really well. Hospitality industry has lot's of job opportunities but pay poverty wages which would be okay if you do not have rent or a mortgage. Otherwise you need to obtain the right credentials in order to secure a well paying position up here. Good luck!

Originally Posted by aquadejoe

What would you say are the main types of "in demand" jobs/careers now and in the future in Traverse City area and in northern Michigan in general? My husband and I are in the food/hospitality and medical field. Our ultimate goal would be to move to northern michigan within the next 3 years and I am trying to get a sense of the job market there and looking into what we could do now as far as job training and education in the next few years to increase our chances of finding jobs in the Traverse City area in the future. There always seem to be nursing jobs but I am not a nurse so that rules out that obvious choice. Just would like some input on who the big employers are, what areas people are in up there that seem to be making a comfortable living and how much a year would you say the average family of four would need to make to live in Traverse City and not be living pay check to pay check.

[Luzette]

West Shore is my local hospital and while I know some call it "death shore" this is not how all in the county feel about it. I've personally never had a bad experience there and have actually found it to be extremely focused on patient care. I've had surgeries there and had both my parents back and forth for various surgeries and tests. I have to take my mom almost every week for blood work. The X-ray department for mammography is top notch. They try to accomodate women's concerns on all levels and go out of their way to get test results as soon as possible if there is anything out of the ordinary shown on film. Nursing staff goes out of their way to help patients. I had to have a colonoscopy back in Feb. I had no one to come care for my mom who suffers from dementia. The nurses watched out for her while I was in the OR to a degree that can only be attributed to kindness. All I can say is based on my own experience I would not hesitate to tell anyone West Shore is an excellent hospital.

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by Luzette

West Shore is my local hospital and while I know some call it "death shore" this is not how all in the county feel about it. I've personally never had a bad experience there and have actually found it to be extremely focused on patient care. I've had surgeries there and had both my parents back and forth for various surgeries and tests. I have to take my mom almost every week for blood work. The X-ray department for mammography is top notch. They try to accomodate women's concerns on all levels and go out of their way to get test results as soon as possible if there is anything out of the ordinary shown on film. Nursing staff goes out of their way to help patients. I had to have a colonoscopy back in Feb. I had no one to come care for my mom who suffers from dementia. The nurses watched out for her while I was in the OR to a degree that can only be attributed to kindness. All I can say is based on my own experience I would not hesitate to tell anyone West Shore is an excellent hospital.

I'll pass this post along to my wife, she is one of the nurses at West Shore.

[Luzette]

Bydand,

Please tell your wife many, many people appreciate the efforts that are made by all personal at West Shore!

[aquadejoe]

Nursing is indeed a tough and often under-appreciated profession. I am a dental hygienist and also have a background in education and non-profit. While jobs pay well in hygiene, they are very difficult to come by. I don't know that I would want to once again go back to school or that I could manage it with two kids and a job. If I did go back, I would likely consider something I can do primarily online and something in public health. Not sure if there is a big need or demand for professionals in public health in and around Traverse City. I keep being referred to Grand Rapids for jobs so maybe that is something we should consider as well.

[babypodof4]

I agree with the above comments - nursing/medical is really one of the only big jobs up here. I work in public health (I work at the health department in Cadillac) - and I can say the pay is really low at the health department. DHD #10 is always hiring nurses (again - not based out of Traverse City - but more out of Cadillac) and social workers - but like I said - the pay isn't that high. I love my job (I am a dietitian who does home visits) - but I could get paid 25% more at a hospital

[magnetluck]

Three Russian student are looking for summer jobs in this wonderful city. They saw pictures of Traverse City and they were impressed. Do employers hire overseas students?