Louisiana is an international state, and one of America’s most unique – Louisiana employment opportunities are likewise one of a kind. A coastal state operating one of the world’s largest ports, this state’s history extends back hundreds of years as one of our continent’s most important points of entry. In the last century, major oil and natural gas discoveries have made it into one of the country’s leading energy producers. Alongside all of this, the diverse influences on this crossroads state has made tourism and entertainment big business as well. Here’s what you need to know about securing Louisiana employment.
Louisiana unemployment
Louisiana unemployment rate (seasonally adjusted) increased from October 2008 to October 2009 by 1.9% to a rate of 7.4%
[Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics]
Louisiana Employment Opportunities
Louisiana is on the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi River, this is why Louisiana employment has such an international flavor. The Port of South Louisiana is one of the world’s largest, and the single largest anywhere in the Western world. By bulk cargo, it is number one globally—many of the imported products in your home actually came through the Bayou State. This and other ports and associated facilities (not to mention service industries and real estate services for the thousands employed by the ports) are a major source of employment in Louisiana. They also mean that increased trade imbalances which can hurt job markets elsewhere are actually boosts to Louisiana employment.
Another major Louisiana employment field is in the world of oil, gas and energy. Louisiana gave birth to drilling over water, and hosts a number of large offshore oil wells. Workers who service and these stations often live in other states, working a few weeks on, a few weeks off. Many others make their homes in Louisiana because of its low cost of living and entertainment attractions. Even more plentiful than oil (and easier to get to) for Louisiana is natural gas. In recent years the world’s fourth largest natural gas field (and one of the largest in the US) was discovered in Louisiana, producing millions of cubic feet of gas and thousands of jobs. Louisiana employment is closely tied to energy production—when high gas prices are hurting employment elsewhere, things are looking up in the Pelican State.
Aside from agriculture and fishing (itself a major industry—more than 90% of the world’s crawfish are caught in Louisiana), Louisiana employment means having fun. Louisiana’s largest city is one of our country’s oldest: New Orleans. The birthplace of America’s first homegrown art form—jazz music—and host to the always wild French Quarter (driven more wild during Mardi Gras, of course) as well as casino gambling, even the devastation from Hurricane Katrina can’t wipe out the pulsating entertainment, tourism and service industry jobs in this town. Bossier City and Shreveport in the northern Louisiana also host major casino resorts, employing thousands from across the region.
Also, tax incentives to the big Hollywood studios have dramatically increased Louisiana employment opportunities in the film industry in recent years. Film, entertainment, cargo shipping and energy are solid industries for any employment economy nowadays. Its unemployment rate—at 6.6%–is almost a third lower than the national average.
Louisiana Employment Resources
There are a number of resources available to those seeing Louisiana employment through agencies dedicated to helping people get to work in the Bayou State. Despite stereotypes about Louisiana government, the state agency which develops job opportunities in the state—the Louisiana Workforce Commission—is a professional and well-run organization. Available on the web at LAWorks.net, the agency administers the state’s unemployment insurance program and offers a number of services for those seeking Louisiana employment. They offer contacts and information on job training, apprenticeship programs and places to post a resume and search for jobs.
Other responsibilities in regards to Louisiana employment that have arisen for the Louisiana Workforce Commission of late have been implementing the Federal Stimulus Program, as well as relief and reinvestment funds assigned in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. They sponsor Career Solutions offices in dozens of communities across the state, counseling the unemployed on how to get a job, connecting people to resources they need to qualify for employment and offering other services to generally keep Louisiana’s job market roiling. There is also at least one private website devoted to posting job information and other employment opportunities in Louisiana, available at SellingLouisiana.com.
Louisiana Employment Living Conditions
Louisiana has a feel all its own, and Louisiana employment comes with a whole new lifestyle. The Bayou State is definitely Southern, and you get the feel of the Deep South when you live here. Part of that means a favorable business climate, low taxes and a lower level of organized labor. These facts and others combine to make Louisiana one of the most affordable places to live anywhere in the country. Housing has remained strong as a result, the insane excesses of much of the country never infecting the state.
Yet Louisiana is also an old French colony—one of the US’ only places where French and French dialects are a de facto official language. The more Latin feel of the state distinguishes it from the rest of the South. Louisiana’s unofficial motto is Laissez les Bon Temps Roulleaux – Let the Good Times Roll. This laid back and joyful attitude towards life is reflected in openness towards gambling and gaming, hunting, fishing, night life and alcohol. Louisiana employment is for the laid back, the fun loving and the open-minded.
A reason for this might be the somewhat oppressive weather. Wet and mild in the winters, the summers are hot and profoundly muggy. Things slow down, and a more relaxed way of life results.
Louisiana Employment
The Bayou State may be muggy, but Louisiana employment is hot right now. With one of the strongest job climates anywhere in the country, you can find moviemakers and roughnecks; card dealers and entrepreneurs; longshoremen and lawyers all making this exciting place their home. They are drawn to the way of life, the strong business climate and the international flavor of this unique state. Check out Louisiana employment today and see if you don’t suddenly feel the urge to Laissez les Bon Temps Roulleaux!
