Show of Hands

Is there a general feeling there as to why that is the case?

I work at a school, so I'm off for the summer. That being the case, I'm mostly seeing the job market of my little community, which is ~40 miles southeast of Seattle. I think the small businesses are shutting down due to location/lack of consumers.

I've noticed fast food places hiring part-time positions. The people I know looking for work want full time +benefits. Lack of education is most likely factoring into having trouble finding jobs that pays well. Speaking from personal experience,

I learned during my performance review that if the $15 min wage spreads beyond Seattle I will lose my job. So, that could be having negative effects on others as well, I'm assuming.

If there are so many companies hiring, and it's difficult to get hired, is that because of the skill set requirements?

I think it's because I have an expiration date. People are looking for a full time hire and I'll be leaving the state in August.

That makes sense. Where do you go to school? I went to Eastern Michigan University.

I go to a tiny little school about 45 minutes out of Chicago.

What brought you from California to eastern? Or from Michigan to California?

I was born and raised in Michigan, and I was just there in May for a funeral. 😔 I was transferred to CA 1 year after starting a job in my current company. It was either move or lose my job.

Sorry you had to return on such a painful note. How is California compared to Michigan?

Thank you, I appreciate it. I worried about moving to California, but it turned out for me to be a dream come true. I have foothills surrounding me, I'm 40 minutes to the ocean, 4 hours from the mountains, no rain in the summer, and warm winters.

With that comes the high cost of living.

What part of CA do you live in? The job market seems to be pretty strong here in the Bay Area. I'm not actually looking for a job, but it "feels" strong here.

Southern California. But I'm in accounting so I'm not sure about other industries. I know my neighbor who doesn't have a college degree is having a hard time finding something.

I'm not surprised that it is difficult to find a job without a degree. It's been that way for a few years now.