By B. J. Conley 

Northern Michigan has a job outlook and it isn’t that bad, if job seekers are willing to obtain higher education and look at different types of jobs, such as “green” jobs.  In Charlevoix county and counties nearby, architecture, except landscape and naval, most engineering fields, graphic designers, counselors, social workers, chefs, medical records and health information technicians, medical transcriptionists, pharmacy aides and advertising/promotions managers are a few of the careers in demand, according to the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth.  The top jobs statewide named by Michigan’s DEL&EG through the year 2016 are network systems and data communications analysts, computer software engineers, personal financial advisors, physical therapists, customer service representatives, data administrators, dental hygienists, dental assistants, paralegals and respiratory therapists. In addition, registered nurses, teachers (in specific areas of education) and engineers remain in demand.  The education requirement for network systems and data communication analysts is a bachelor’s degree, the field is expected to grow by 38.2 percent and the median income is $32.91, hourly. For computer software engineers, a bachelor’s degree or higher is required, the demand is expected to grow by 30 percent with the median income at $36.67 hourly. Personal financial advisors should have a bachelor’s degree and certification, the growth rate is expected to be 27.7 percent and median hourly income is $38.82. Physical therapists must have a master’s degree or higher, along with a license, growth of 22.4 percent is expected and median income is $34/hourly.  Customer service representatives will have more success finding a job if they have some college. Growth in this field is 21.4 percent and hourly pay is a median of $15.98. Data administrators need a bachelor’s degree; growth is 20.9 percent with income at $31.69 per hour. Two fields involving dentistry are dental hygienists and dental assistants. Both require a license and a hygienist should also obtain an associate’s degree. Growth and median income is 20.7 percent and 20.3 percent, and $28.65 and $16.01 hourly, respectively.  Paralegals and legal assistants need an associate’s degree or higher, growth is 19.6 percent and median hourly income is $23.48. Respiratory therapists will need an associate’s degree and certification. Growth is at 19.5 percent. Median hourly income is $23.74.  Although the unemployment rate is 13.8 percent in Charlevoix County, 14.8 percent in Antrim County and 13.2 in Emmet County, job seekers can still be hopeful that they will find a job, so long as they are willing to adapt to new types of jobs.  Northern Michigan is a good location for “Green” employment. The labor department states that: “The landscape of Northern Michigan ensures adequate opportunities for agriculture and natural resource-related green business, yet there are opportunities for other business in green building and alternative fuels.”  The skills required for green positions may be obtained through either formal or informal training. Typically employers indicate that informal training may be the most requested option. Green jobs by occupation differ across regions, but engineering, construction, production and installation and repair occupations were reported as green by employers in all regions.  For more information see www.michigan.gov/jobs.