Not a good time to be job-hunting in Rhode Island

My poor home state is third in the nation for high unemployment rates, at 12.8% behind California and Nevada.    The Providence Journal today featured a photo of a recent college grad who finally took a job at Del’s Lemonade in desperation, delaying her career path in communications until the market picks up again.

Communications and public relations majors are flocking to Arizona, thinking it’s the mecca of opportunity.   I suppose in comparison, Arizona’s jobless rate is pretty good:   only 9.1%.  And to my surprise, they do seem to be landing jobs at various agencies in Phoenix and Scottsdale.   Not many corporations are headquartered in Arizona, so a good percentage of the state’s PR professionals are also independent contractors who cobble together a living from various jobs.   The pay scale may be lower, but the cost of living is definitely lower.  

I hope things improve for Rhode Island.   A PR campaign could help, but what it really needs is a better economic/tax structure.   It’s hard to put lipstick on the “pig” of unemployment.