3 States Job-Seeking Graduates Should Consider - CareerAlley

3 States Job-Seeking Graduates Should Consider - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Dont be so quick to needle North Dakota. While it may not have the population density, skyscrapers or beautiful beachfront property of other states, it has something that makes other states jealous: jobs. According to the Pew Charitable Fund, Montanas eastern neighbor currently leads in terms of job growth, especially in the areas of energy and construction, two sectors that are also doing well in other Western states, along with high-tech and engineering fields. So if youre freshly out of college or expect to be so soon, consider life in the West. If youre up for adventure and a possibly bigger paycheck, relocating might be a wise move. North Dakota An oil boom and low unemployment spell good news for job-seekers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the state had the highest percentage growth of non-farm employment between October 2012 and October 2013: 3.5 percent, with the addition of nearly 16,000 jobs. The Fiscal Times said entry-level oil workers average around $112,000 annually, and certain engineering jobs like drilling consultants can earn more than $238,000. This drilling consultant position requires a degree and five to 10 years of experience, but no degree is needed for the equally well-paying skilled position of a directional driller. The Fiscal Times warns job seekers that few oil jobs involve 40-hour desk jobs most require long hours in extreme temperatures and theres frequent travel between sites. Many oil workers live in dormitories/camps and receive infrequent visits home. Photo by Joshua Doubek via Wikimedia Commons Colorado It ranks fourth on the Pew list, with a 2.67 increase and 63,000 new jobs in 2013. It appeals to those who pursuit activities all year-round recreational pursuits. Colorado boasts world-class skiing, plus plenty of mountains to explore. Cities like Denver and Colorado Springs are also becoming known for high-tech industries while places like Boulder have more of a laid-back yet inviting mellow vibe. The Colorado Business Outlook, created by University of Colorados Leeds School of Business, said the state is expected to add 66,000 jobs in 2014, the highest annual amount since 81,000 were added in 2000. Gains are expected in everything from education and health services to natural resources. Denver ranks fourth on Forbes list of The Best Cities for New College Graduates in 2013 right below Houston and above Minneapolis/St. Paul. Unemployment is at a satisfying 7.4 percent, and annual income is $50,300. Even better, the median price of Denver apartments is $970, a definite deal when Bay area places are in the thousands. Photo of Denver by Larry Johnson via Flickr Texas Forbes picked the Lone Star State as one of the top states for job growth. Employment is expected to grow 3 percent, or more than 3000,000 jobs, plus expansions or relocations of tech performers like ATT, Electronic Arts and Time Warner Cable. Traditional industries like oil/energy and agriculture remain strong, and the state also seems to have recovered nicely from the recent recession. Houston and Dallas have been put forth as good spots for those with newly minted diplomas due to strong sense of culture, high-tech companies, low rent and high median income. Photo of Houston by Hequals2henry via Wikimedia Commons Viola Walker Viola just got promoted to a managerial position at her job. Her first initiative is to start a health and wellness competition for all the employees. This is a Guest post. If you would like to submit a guest post to CareerAlley, please follow these guest post guidelines. Free Resume Review Good luck in your search.Joey Trebif