The Job Market
Careers in engineering, science, technology, health care, medicine, nursing, and education are experiencing growth in many areas of the Midwest. Here are some hot spots in the region:
Chicago, Illinois, is the largest city in the Midwest and one of the premier industrial, commercial, transportation, and financial hubs in the United States. University of Chicago, Johnston R. Bowman Health Center, Scudder Funds, CNA Financial Corporation, Loyola University Chicago, Cook County Hospital, and Blue Cross & Blue Shield are among the city's largest employers. The fastest-growing fields that require at least a bachelor's degree in the state of Illinois include computer software engineering, occupational and physical therapy, biomedical engineering, survey research, database administration, and computer and information systems management.
Cleveland, Ohio, has an economic foundation rooted in manufacturing, distribution, and transportation. Some of the largest manufacturers in Cleveland are Eaton Corporation, TRW, Sherwin Williams, Parker Hannifin, and American Greetings Company. Visitors and residents alike will find many of the city's cultural, educational, and medical establishments in the University Circle area, located east of downtown. Ohio as a whole is experiencing job expansion in the fields of audiology, physician assistance, substance abuse and behavioral disorder counseling, veterinary medicine, computer software engineering, and sales management.
Minneapolis, Minnesota, is rich in agricultural areas and is a transportation, commerce, and finance leader in the region. Minneapolis has a population of more than 300,000; when combined with neighboring St. Paul, the population jumps to more than two million. Dominant industries in Minneapolis are medical instrument manufacturing, medical research, printing and publishing, and machinery manufacturing. The largest employers in the city include University of Minnesota, Fairview University Medical Center, Methodist Hospital, and Abbott Northwestern Hospital.
St. Louis, Missouri, known as the “Gateway to the West,” is an urban hot spot located along the Mississippi River. This booming river city has an abundance of professional sports teams, historical landmarks, and cultural venues that entice job seekers. Educational, health, and business services, as well as construction, transportation services, banking and finance, and communications are among the leading industries. Major employers include St. Louis University, Anheuser-Busch, and St. John's Mercy Medical Center.
