' Economic Life'

Michigan’s struggles in the first phase of the 21st century are well-known. The shuttered factory. The jobless breadwinner. The foreclosed home. Even more unsettling are the prospects for well-paying jobs in the near future in the state. In September 2011, Bridge Magazine launched an ongoing series of stories reporting on the health of Michigan’s economy and the employment prospects for its residents.

Students left with little guidance in high schools

Students left with little guidance in high schools

High school seniors are expected to ask their guidance counselors where they can find work in Michigan. Their guidance counselors, though, may be asking the same question. At a time when Michigan teens are struggling to ...

Analysis: ‘Economic Life’ missed nonprofits’ impact

Analysis: ‘Economic Life’ missed nonprofits’ impact

Editor’s note: As part of our ongoing “Economic Life” coverage, we asked two observers to give their analysis of Bridge’s in-depth look into the state’s economic performance and job prospects. We’ve all seen the lists that ...

Analysis: Five strategies to help Michiganians find work

Analysis: Five strategies to help Michiganians find work

Editor’s note: As part of our ongoing “Economic Life” coverage, we asked two observers to give their analysis of Bridge’s in-depth look into the state’s economic performance and job prospects. Bridge’s series about jobs, skills and ...

Earned a college degree; got a pizza box

Last Monday evening, a professional career counselor in Plymouth named Jim Danielski received this email: “Mr. Danielski: I am trying to assist my college graduate son in his pursuit of a job.  He graduated in 2010 ...

Michigan can’t fit college grads into job slots

Michigan can’t fit college grads into job slots

If Amy Dobson is a rock and Gentex is a hard place, Gov. Rick Snyder is stuck between them. Dobson, an effervescent 23-year-old from Okemos, finished a five-year degree program in education from Michigan State University ...

Other states have tried to buy college results

Other states have tried to buy college results

Tying higher education funding to graduation rates, or even to certain types of degrees, may sound radical to Michigan policy-makers, but it’s been discussed and tried for years in other places. Here are some examples: Indiana: ...