Michigan Jobs

Ahoy Cad Dadio!!!!!

Aye, Tis rough seas out there eh? Do ya be livin in the area or you thinkin o relocatin? The Great Lakes are some bitter wenches. If it be relocatin yer after... you'll be wantin somthing warmer.... where the wind won't rip yer wig off and such. Aye... I'll keep me eye open for opportunities me matey. I could always use me another hand to swab the poop deck....

Arrrrr

Ahoy thar, Pirate!

Didn't know I'd get to meet real live pirates in Michigan! No, I be livin under a shady rock way down Texas way so I got me somethin plenty 'warm' enough already! Thanks, an I'd appreciate ya keep yer eyes peeled from the ol' crowz nest if somethin sails over the horizon up yer way.

Arrrrrr, Arrrrr!

In all seriousness...this is not an area I'd relocate to unless I had one hell of a position already lined up. I'm 45 years old and have been in the design and manufacturing business all my life and I've never seen things this dead. I struck out on my own about 6 years ago and started a consulting business doing CAD/CAM. Lately I've found quite a bit of work doing 3D design and presentation...I use Rhinoceros and Brazil or Flamingo (rendering engines) for this type of work mostly. I've found that companies are cutting back so much that it's not worth their while to keep a full-time CAD/CAM dept. up and running. Consequently they sub-contract a lot of it out. It's kept me busy for the last 6 years. Like I said, I've been doing this for a long time and I have a lot of contacts...I'm not sure this route would work for everyone.

Mike

Hey cadPIRATE, ere it possible I might of run into yee down 'round sealevel?

Mike

Ray,

Thanks for the sound advice. Having left the Michigan job market many, many years ago for 'greener pastures' elsewhere, I am well aware of it's continued downward economic spiral. Down here in the 'Oil Patch' with $75 bbl. things are booming (at present) but with the excessive heat, hurricanes, and oppressive multitudes of global humanity; the quality of life here in Ol' Dixie leaves much to be desired. Michigan may be depressed economically (I grew up in Flint) but with my skills and stubborn optimism, I will make this cooler and relatively quiet place work irregardless. I may very well consider the independent route if the conventional approach proves too difficult. Thanks again!

Ray,

Thanks for the sound advice. Having left the Michigan job market many, many years ago for 'greener pastures' elsewhere, I am well aware of it's continued downward economic spiral. Down here in the 'Oil Patch' with $75 bbl. things are booming (at present) but with the excessive heat, hurricanes, and oppressive multitudes of global humanity; the quality of life here in Ol' Dixie leaves much to be desired. Michigan may be depressed economically (I grew up in Flint) but with my skills and stubborn optimism, I will make this cooler and relatively quiet place work irregardless. I may very well consider the independent route if the conventional approach proves too difficult. Thanks again!

You might try careerbuilder.com - search under SolidWorks & Michigan. I'd also search for "Project Engineer" jobs. Also, the local VARs may know of someone who needs help. The two I know of are DASI Solutions & Fisher Unitech. If you are CSWP that helps a ton in getting a job. Michigan doesn't have very many (

Cad-Dad, so you're a fellow Michigander! We've got to look out for one another ;o). Let me know if I can be of any help. I had quite a few friends/workmates make the trek to Tejas back in the '80's...almost did myself. Having lived in Flint you may already be aware of this but for years now the auto companies (especially GM) don't do very much hiring (when they are hiring)...they go thru employment agencies. Even technical people (like us) and skilled trades get hired this way. You're not an employee of GM but of Acme Employment Agency. I think the pay is still comparable, the bennies a little less so and they don't owe you a buyout or early retirement when things get rough. Good luck though. I don't mean to be so negative. If you're talented and ambitious (sounds like you are) you can find a good position regardless of the economic situation. It's the clock-watchers that need to worry.

Mike

Deb,

Now we're getting somewhere! The VAR approach is a good one however, sometimes they are reluctant to give out client info for obvious reasons. I may check them out anyhow. I was not aware of the new plant opening in Lansing and will keep that in mind besides, at your offer, possibly contacting you again in the near future. Thanks again for your great help, Deb!

As long as you're heading North, just skip Michigan and go straight to Saskatchewan or Alberta. Same economy as Texas, climate more like Michigan!

Jerry Steiger Tripod Data Systems "take the garbage out, dear"

Mike,

No, I'm certainly not a 'clock-watcher' as I have always had to earn my living through brains, wit, tenacity, and a good bit of sweat! I think that's one reason I turned down what used to be a safe, secure existence in the auto factories as an assembly line worker. I was one of those who left in the 80's, having graduated from U of M, Ann Arbor, and who could not seem to find suitable work locally at the time. I am , however, somewhat envious because I have cousins today with 30 yrs. experience in those dismal factories who are just now retiring very comfortably. And yes, I'm also a true Michigander - born and bread - with ancestors who came for the early lumber industry, settling there among the primeval White Pine in 1856. Where do you live? As far as my job search: Local employment agencies are certainly a path I will indeed l be pursuing - among many. Again: I appreciate your suggestions and interest and would certainly welcome any further comments you may have.