The reasons to seek Colorado employment are as vast as the Rocky Mountains that stretch across it, having a well educated work force, diversity of cultures, and businesses of nearly every type. Colorado boasts the third highest number of college graduates in the nation, nearly thirty four percent, and of those about twelve percent have advanced degrees. A great strength of Colorado employment is the variety of jobs available, from technical wizardry, to mining, and forestry. Opportunities are out there for industrial work, in aerospace corporations, and beer brewing, not to mention the vast service industry positions available in restaurants, ski resorts, and the like.
Colorado unemployment
Colorado unemployment rate (seasonally adjusted) increased from October 2008 to October 2009 by 1.6% to a rate of 6.9%
[Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics]
Colorado Employment Opportunities
Colorado’s unemployment rate is nearly two percent lower than the national average, as reported in June 2009 by the US federal government. Colorado also ranks thirteenth in the nation for median family income according to StateMaster.com which compiles federal and state statistics. It is no wonder that one region of successful Colorado employment called the DTC, Denver Tech Center, exists here. Known for being the nation’s hub of cable television, it is estimated that over eighty percent of major programming comes through the DTC before arriving at the end user. Technological career opportunities abound, especially in the field of engineering and computer software development.
Several of Colorado’s largest employers are well known beyond the Rocky Mountain state. Golder Associates has made ripples world wide with their successful consulting firm. Silicon Mountain, Storage Tek, and Intelligent Software Solutions Inc. are just three examples of Colorado’s larger tech employers. The medical field is an ever expanding source of necessary Colorado employment, especially as the state’s population is projected to grow steadily by about half a million people every ten years, according to the US Census Bureau. Memorial Health Systems employs over four thousand people in the Colorado Springs area, where as Penrose St. Francis Health Services has career opportunities across the state.
Colorado employment opportunities with smaller businesses should not be overlooked. It could pay off to research and apply to smaller companies as pay or benefits can be competitive with larger businesses. Colorado is known for having a love of the entrepreneurial spirit, so if starting your own business is a dream of yours, the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade is a stellar resource for private businesses and start up business in the state.
Public service is one job sector that can be difficult to enter with the state, as state law requires residency in Colorado before an application can be considered. While some government supported jobs may not have as strict a requirement, it is best to investigate before wasting time with the application process.
Colorado Employment Resources
Colorado employment opportunities can be discovered on large job search web sites like jobing.com and monster.com, however, more specialized web sites and information is also available. For example, Coloradojobs.com is designed specifically to discover and apply for Colorado employment. The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment assists job seekers and employers alike at connectingcolorado.com.
Many people find Colorado employment through employment agencies. It is typically best to find an employment agency that focuses on a specific trade or career field you are qualified for when ever possible; Hospital Stafflink Network and WSi Healthcare are just two examples. This will likely lead to more specific and probably more lucrative job prospects.
Job seekers with less specific skills or training can seek employment through agencies like Adecco or CORESTAFF Services, to explore a variety of job options. Many companies prefer to find employees through staffing agencies because the agency can do much of the initial sorting through of applicants, furthermore, the employees can be tried out before costly full time and permanent benefits are offered.
Colorado Living Conditions
Outstanding living conditions are available in Colorado. Forbes recently ranked Colorado the fourth best state to live in, while MSNBC reports Colorado ranks the sixteenth healthiest state to live in. A reasonable minimum wage of $7.28, and some recent headway in educational reform by Governor Ritter which will give high school students the option of earning a two year Associates Degree while earning a high school diploma, should ensure a progressive educational future for the state.
There are fifty four mountain peaks in the Rocky Mountains that are over 14,000 feet tall, four national parks, and over forty state parks to experience. Professional sports, casinos, historical landmarks, museums, and countless things to do satisfy an urban, suburban, or rural lifestyle taste, or it is even possible to take advantage of the best of all three.
Typically having over three hundred days of sunshine a year, Colorado’s climate is appealing to many. Most storms that move in pass through rather quickly, it is unusual to see an entire day go by without some sunshine. Colorado employment opportunities are as vast as its gorgeous landscapes which include the Rocky Mountains, plains, plateaus, and basins.
Colorado Employment
Colorado employment is widely sought after by people who are not just interested in a terrific career or job opportunity but by people who know how to enjoy the beauty and adventure that goes on out of the office. If you’re still not convinced, come for a vacation, just one week exploring what Colorado has to offer would probably be enough to make a decision about whether working in Colorado would work for you. However, if cost prohibits a visit to Colorado, the internet resources available will go a long way to exploring Colorado employment.
