Understanding what a job’s location offers, knowing what to expect from a community and exloring the kinds of career prospects available are important for those seeking Rhode Island employment. These kinds of insights can contribute to one’s success when seeking career opportunities. As the smallest state in the country and part of mainland New England, Rhode Island only spans 48 miles between its farthest points.
However, this state has much to offer in terms of industry, education, culture, arts, recreation and leisure. Known as “The Ocean State,” Rhode Island sits on the Atlantic Coast, encroached by the waters of the Narragansett Bay. Bordered by Massachusetts and Connecticut, Rhode Island is located only 180 miles from New York City. This state is unique for the presence of distinctive, diverse settings within such a small area. The suburban coastal communities of Newport and Bristol County, the rural farmlands and wooded acreage of Washington County and the hip and artsy scene of the urban capital, Providence, offers a variety of opportunities for those seeking Rhode Island employment.
Rhode Island unemployment
Rhode Island unemployment rate (seasonally adjusted) increased from October 2008 to October 2009 by 4.1% to a rate of 12.9%
[Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics]
Rhode Island Employment Opportunities
Although small in area, Rhode Island has the 2nd highest population density in the country as recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau. Perhaps because of a large population in such a tight space, health services make up Rhode Island’s leading industry. The demand for nurses, childcare workers, home health aids, nursing aids and hospital workers continues to grow. The U.S. Bureau of Labor has predicated a steady growth of close to 20% in the state’s health service sector by 2016, making health services a popular choice for those seeking Rhode Island employment prospects.
Tourism and leisure are the next leading areas of employment as the state presents a wide selection of arts and cultural offerings, fine dining options and scenic, leisure attractions. Jobs such as wait staff, chefs, kitchen staff, cooks, hotel concierges, lodging managers, fitness instructors and leisure program workers are some the positions in this sector. Many Rhode Island employment prospects exist in this field, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor expects to see an 18% growth of tourism and leisure jobs by 2016. In addition to health services, tourism and leisure, there are a number of other Rhode Island employment opportunities to consider.
The birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution of the 18th century, Rhode Island became a highly industrialized state, and by the 20th century, it was a leader in manufacturing. However by the 21st century, with a decrease in manufacturing, a focus on service and trade has been incorporated into many manufacturing concerns. Jewelry, metals, plastics, electronics and sea vessel manufacturing are areas in which skilled trades people can still find Rhode Island employment opportunities. Commerce jobs in the retail and wholesale trade sector are predicted to expand by approximately 13% over the next 7 years.
In addition, major corporations with main offices or headquarters in this small state provide many Rhode Island employment opportunities. Chief corporations include multinational toy giant, Hasbro, gaming technology and service provider, GTECH Corporation, the Verizon telecommunications company and the CVS retail pharmacy and healthcare corporation. Major industrial manufacturers include Schneider Electric’s Critical Power and Cooling Services Business Unit (formerly known as American Power Conversion) and building materials manufacturer and distributor Nortek. The billion-dollar banking corporation, Citizens Financial Group, the multi-industry conglomerate, Textron, the national policy writer, Amica Mutual Insurance and worldwide insurance leader, FM Global, also work out of this state and offer many Rhode Island employment opportunities to the states residents.
In addition to the Rhode Island employment opportunities available in the state’s top industries, educational services offer another attractive prospect for those interested and trained in this field. With a dense populace, 12 major colleges and universities and an ever-growing population of children, careers in the education field are predicted to double over the next 7 years. Elementary and secondary teachers in Rhode Island are the 4th highest paid in the country, and by 2016, it is predicted that teachers and other educational professionals will make up 10% of the workforce population compared to the 2009 rate of 5%. In 2009, the 12% unemployment rate of Rhode Island was the highest in the country. However, there are some major areas of growth for those whose interests, skills and experience match the requirements of Rhode Island employment needs.
Rhode Island Employment Resources
For job seekers in Rhode Island, there are many available resources online and off. For those looking for job listings, many can be found online from EmployRI (www.employri.org/), the RI Job Exchange (www.americasjobexchange.com/ri), Ocean State Help Wanted (regionalhelpwanted.com/ocean-state-jobs/) and the Indeed job listings (www.indeed.com/jobs?q=&l=Rhode+Island). The RI Department of Labor and Training posts the current classified and non-classified opportunities for state jobs on their website (www.dlt.state.ri.us/webdev/JobsRI/StateJobs.htm).
Another helpful resource for those interested in Rhode Island employment is NetworkRI (www.networkri.org/). NetworkRI is a career service system managed by the RI Department of Labor. With online resources and a set of resource centers throughout the state, NetworkRI offers a number of free workshops, personalized career search assistance, job referral and placement as well as a number of other services designed to strengthen the local workforce. For those looking for agencies, Resource Strategies of RI (www.rsriinc.com/) and RI Personnel and Temps (www.ritemps.com/) are two popular choices that can help people find temporary, occasional or permanent Rhode Island employment.
Rhode Island Living Conditions
Although it is quite small, the state offers a wide variety of amenities for residents, workers, visitors and those looking for Rhode Island employment. Even from the farthest edges of the state, drivers can reach a beach in under an hour. Those who seek solitude in the wilderness can venture to Arcadia Wildlife Park to enjoy over 14,000 acres of protected woodland filled with hiking and riding trails, boating, fishing and swimming areas and ample opportunities for viewing wildlife. For those who enjoy the cosmopolitan lifestyle found in many cities, the state’s capital, Providence boasts of a thriving arts scene, many upscale restaurants, historical and cultural attractions and a charming waterfront park.
The 12 colleges and universities in the state and their students also influence the state’s culture with their presence. Home to Brown University, an Ivy League institution, Johnson & Wales University, a major culinary institute, Rhode Island School of Design, a prestigious arts school and the University of Rhode Island, a leading oceanography research institution, Rhode Island’s educational opportunities are also reflected in its tourism industry.
As a superlative leisure destination of continental and international visitors, Rhode Island has won acclaim by receiving the esteemed International Star Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences. In addition, there are many suburban communities in the state, where families happily raise children. In 2008, Parents magazine rated Rhode Island the 2nd safest state for children. For those seeking Rhode Island employment, there are many arts and recreational opportunities found in this small, yet diverse, state.
Rhode Island Employment
Rhode Island has much to offer its residents and workers, such as a variety of scenic and cultural attractions, predicted job growth as well as easy access to nearby metropolitan areas like Boston, Hartford and New York. For those interested in Rhode Island employment, a variety of career resources are available to help in the job search.
Jobseekers can find many opportunities in the fields of health services, tourism, leisure, manufacturing and sales. With several Fortune 500 companies, a variety of colleges and universities and proximity to the shoreline, there are many advantages to seeking Rhode Island employment opportunities.
