Archive: February 2008
Young workers studying up on how to survive a recession
Dana Bagwell arrives early each morning at her job as a recruiter at a staffing firm. "When I'm at my desk, I focus on work and I don't waste time," the 21-year-old says. She figures her work ethic will come in handy as the economy edges closer to a recession. And she's more cautious with money: Bagwell just put off making plans for a vacation in Mexico.
Downshifting Washington's job growth
Turns out Washington's jobs engine wasn't revving quite as fast last year as previously thought. The state's nonfarm payrolls grew by 61,900 jobs, or 2.16 percent, in 2007 — 15,300 jobs fewer and half a percentage point slower than initially reported, according to newly revised data released Tuesday by the state Employment Security Department.
What This Job Pays: glazier
The median pay of a glazier in the Seattle area is $36,362, with most making from $$30,113 to $$43,727
Going green at work
How green is your cubicle? Taking public transportation to the office is only the first step in leading an eco-conscious work life.
Hold the waterworks at work
Jennifer Winston excused herself and walked out to her car before allowing her tears to flow. She was working in the hotel industry, and a confrontational co-worker had left her upset. "I felt like crying, but I wouldn't do it in front of people," says Winston. "I think in the workplace it shows weakness, and it makes everyone uncomfortable."
Wind energy hasn't blown in enough workers
The line of towering wind turbines stands motionless on the ridgeline above Interstate 70 in central Kansas, Y-shaped silhouettes amid the swirling snow. Despite the weather, dozens of technicians are working to get the 10-mile-long Smoky Hills Wind Farm ready to produce electricity.
Laura Michalek, fund-raising auctioneer
Between 1994 and 2005, Laura Michalek owned and operated four vintage furniture shops in Seattle. A self-professed "junker," she'd put 60,000 miles on her car every year just trolling for antique treasure at estate sales and auctions. Somewhere along the way, she became sold on the idea of grabbing a microphone and working as a full-time auctioneer herself.
What This Job Pays: fitness instructor
The median pay of a fitness instructor in the Seattle area is $44,242, with most making from $36,044 to $63,833, according to www.salary.com.
Entrepreneurs feed their dreams
Daydreams are one thing. It's a piece of cake to make a living baking petits fours for weddings when it's just a white-aproned, sugar-rimmed fantasy. Reality means studying essential topics like business taxes, the merits of bags vs. boxes and which tents work best at farmers markets.
Combine multiple talents to become a successful artist
So you want to make music, act, produce films, design fashion, dance or write movies? No sweat. That is, if you tweak your thinking a bit. That includes eliminating the term "starving artist" from your vocabulary. For one thing, if you think that's what you're getting into when you pursue a creative career, well, that's what you'll get.
From washing machines to wind turbines
When 1,800 workers lost their jobs after a Maytag appliance factory and headquarters closed last year in the small town of Newton, Iowa, a wind-turbine-blade company saw opportunity – an available, skilled work force in the middle of one of America's hardiest wind-energy-production regions.
What This Job Pays: art director
The median pay of an art director in the Seattle area is $105,908, with most making from $84,429 to $125,863, according to salary.com.
Adam Gehrke, broadcast traffic reporter
If you commute to work, chances are you know Adam Gehrke. During the past decade, his morning and afternoon traffic reports have dominated the airwaves on multiple radio stations around the Puget Sound.
Eco-friendly jobs fill environmental niche
In the 1970s, the environmental movement was just beginning. Today, many companies employ workers with titles such as environmental scientist, environmental engineer, hazardous-waste-management specialist, geologist and industrial hygienist.
Employers cut payrolls for first time since summer 2003; jobless rate dips
Nervous employers cut 17,000 jobs in January — the first such reduction in more than four years and a fresh sign that the economy is in danger of stalling. The Labor Department's report, released Friday, also showed that the unemployment rate dipped slightly to 4.9 percent, from 5 percent, as the civilian labor force shrank slightly
Retiree flood waits in aerospace wings
Roughly a quarter of the nation's 637,000 aerospace workers could be eligible for retirement this year, raising fears that America could face a serious skills shortage in the factories that churn out commercial and military aircraft.
Condos find new office space
Condominiums aren't just places to live any more. The condo concept is migrating to the workplace. Businesses looking for office space don't necessarily have to lease it or buy an entire building. There's a third option: Buy an office condo.
Employee benefits begin to include pet insurance
At a time when employers are scaling back on costly health benefits, pet insurance is gaining popularity as an employee benefit. Veterinary Pet Insurance, the nation's largest pet insurer, saw its corporate accounts balloon from 15 to 1,600 in the past six years. About 15 percent of Veterinary Pet Insurance's policies, or about 50,000, come from its corporate accounts.
What This Job Pays: landscape architect
The median expected salary in the Seattle area is $38,107 a year, with most making $32,906 to $42,026.
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