Often I am asked by top tier employers how they can attract premier African American and diverse graduates to consider working for them in smaller metropolitan areas or job markets. My response to them is to tell candidates about the great cultural and social dynamics and history of the community, talk about the cost of living as compared to other major markets and who cuts or styles Black hair (smile). Ultimately I advise that they develop information packets or presentations to address these issues since many students will not know about the "hidden treasures" of their smaller markets.
But lets take a few steps backward. All of you are not from New York, LA, Chicago, Boston, Washington, DC., or Atlanta, all are great cities, and many want to work in these cities, but get over it, there's a big country out there, and many of you with a little research may find that other "less popular" metropolitan areas may have exactly what you are looking for. So before you blow off that job offer from Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Suburban New Jersey, Portland, Seattle, or New Haven, you may want to do your homework. Keep in mind that people have very rich, edgy and exciting lives all around the country. Some of you should move forward with plans to work on Wall Street or Capital Hill, but some of you should consider at least exploring other interesting career and living options. Besides, the last time I checked it was the person who dictated the quality, and excitement of their lives, not the city or the local night life.
Lets talk cold hard cash, will your $40,000-$50,000 dollar a year salary go further in NYC, or Indianapolis? You do the math! Some of the salaries many of you will command after graduation in smaller metropolitan markets, could provide you with a great economic jump-start in saving and investing, buying your first home, affording a nice car, joining popular golf and social clubs. It may just beat sharing a room with 4 crazy roommates and several more years of Instant Noodles and P&J sandwiches (many of you know what I am talking about). It's not all about the material things, but the ride can be be a lot more fun if your money stretches a little further affording you a more affluent lifestyle.
Opportunity can knock in different places. Many of you should take a page from the communications and broadcast graduates who know that often to break into their industry they will have to consider working for a period of time in "smaller markets." In broadcasting, most people gain a wealth of valuable and enjoyable work experience in the smaller cities and towns across the nation, and most know they won't just walk in the door and anchor the evening news in New York, or at the desk of CNN in Atlanta. Young professionals considering launching their careers in business, government, non-profit arenas and more should consider a page from the broadcast book of strategic relocation.
Black Enterprise produces an issue highlighting top cities for African American professionals. http://www.blackenterprise.com/cms/exclusivesopen.aspx?id=850
Interesting facts:
A few final tips:
But lets take a few steps backward. All of you are not from New York, LA, Chicago, Boston, Washington, DC., or Atlanta, all are great cities, and many want to work in these cities, but get over it, there's a big country out there, and many of you with a little research may find that other "less popular" metropolitan areas may have exactly what you are looking for. So before you blow off that job offer from Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Suburban New Jersey, Portland, Seattle, or New Haven, you may want to do your homework. Keep in mind that people have very rich, edgy and exciting lives all around the country. Some of you should move forward with plans to work on Wall Street or Capital Hill, but some of you should consider at least exploring other interesting career and living options. Besides, the last time I checked it was the person who dictated the quality, and excitement of their lives, not the city or the local night life.
Lets talk cold hard cash, will your $40,000-$50,000 dollar a year salary go further in NYC, or Indianapolis? You do the math! Some of the salaries many of you will command after graduation in smaller metropolitan markets, could provide you with a great economic jump-start in saving and investing, buying your first home, affording a nice car, joining popular golf and social clubs. It may just beat sharing a room with 4 crazy roommates and several more years of Instant Noodles and P&J sandwiches (many of you know what I am talking about). It's not all about the material things, but the ride can be be a lot more fun if your money stretches a little further affording you a more affluent lifestyle.
Opportunity can knock in different places. Many of you should take a page from the communications and broadcast graduates who know that often to break into their industry they will have to consider working for a period of time in "smaller markets." In broadcasting, most people gain a wealth of valuable and enjoyable work experience in the smaller cities and towns across the nation, and most know they won't just walk in the door and anchor the evening news in New York, or at the desk of CNN in Atlanta. Young professionals considering launching their careers in business, government, non-profit arenas and more should consider a page from the broadcast book of strategic relocation.
Black Enterprise produces an issue highlighting top cities for African American professionals. http://www.blackenterprise.com/cms/exclusivesopen.aspx?id=850
Interesting facts:
- Several of the cities are below the Mason-Dixon Line ---So take a closer look you Northerners hooked on NYC, Philly, and NJ.
- Most of the cities had a 50% or higher African American population.
- Eight out of 10 cities in a recent survey had a cost of living index that is less than the national average
A few final tips:
- Talk to African American and other diverse professionals at the company recruiting you (particularly alumni from your college) and ask them what they think about the cultural environment in the local area.
- Talk to the locals, get their take on the city or town, and where they think it is heading in the future. Don't be afraid to ask about the racial climate and if young black professionals seem to enjoy the area.
- Take a day by yourself to just walk around downtown areas, visit local shopping and dining spots. Use your common sense, if it "feels" uncomfortable trust your instinct.
- Do some research, what do the numbers say about cost of living, numbers of people from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and consider local social environment for "people like you."
- Ultimately don't allow yourself to feel pressured. If you don't like the area, it is your personal choice, you have earned the right to be selective and even critical.
Remember whatever you choice is that you give yourself plenty of time, talk to a number of people, visit the location, and don't second guess yourself if it simply is not a match. There are a lot of great cities and towns in the US, don't settle for anything that is less than a great match for you. It is your life, and you need to be sure you can live it when you select a place to live.
Kim R. Wells - let me know your thoughts on this subject.
kwells@howard.edu
2 comments:
In response to entry on "Moving Where the Jobs Are!"
Marlon Doles of Campbell Soup Wrote:
Hi Kim,
What a timely subject, I think that most Consumer Package Goods companies struggle with this issue because the majority of them are not in very attractive metropolitan areas. However, one of the ways I think you can increase the yield of People of Color into great jobs into not so great areas is to get your affinity groups involved in the recruitment and interview process as soon as possible. Whether it's having one of the members interview the candidate during the interview phase, having lunch with the candidate or possibly a pre-interview dinner, showing people of color that there are others that look like them and have similar interest can be a key driver in making a decision on moving to a undesirable location. I've also seen some affinity groups develop recruitment committees within them just for the purpose of aiding the talent acquisition dept. in recruiting more qualified people of color.
Marlon J. Doles
Senior Human Resource Manager
College & Diversity Recruitment Programs Global Talent Acquisition Campbell Soup
Hi Kim. My response isn't very timely, but I wanted to tell you that I really liked your article/blog on jobs in "second cities." Personally, I have a difficult time as a white male making this argument to African American students. What do I know about being in a place where I would stand out as different? Having said that, I am more conscious of such issues than most, perhaps, because of my bi-racial son. As we've moved around the country, I ask: How will he be accepted in this place? Will he see anyone else like him? How open is the community? Will he be able to feel at home here?
I find that there is diversity everywhere you go, even if you don't see it at first. And sometimes, what looks familiar turns out not be very accommodating (ask me about why I left Texas so many years ago).
The fact is, corporations all over the country are aggressively seeking diversity. Many of these present exceptional opportunities to grow and to make a difference. And no move has to be permanent. The ladder will be climbed more quickly if one is willing to take risks and seek challenges. I also believe these are situations with more candidate bargaining power, higher degrees of influence, and a chance to experiment. Part of the fun of moving to a new place is finding a way to fit in, discovering what is worth adopting as your own, making adjustments, trying new things, and carving your own niche.
It's good advice.
Kelley Bishop
Executive Director
Career Services
Michigan State University
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