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If you're being relocated from your Mississauga condo to a new home
in Spokane because your company has offered you a position in the city, that's
great. However, many people moving to Spokane are doing so because their current
city isn't offering them the kinds of job opportunities they're
looking for. If you're one of these people, you may find the following
guide on industry and prominent job sectors in Spokane, Washington useful. After
all, investing in real estate is great, but there's no point in trying
it in Spokane unless you're going to be able to make your mortgage payments.
Unless you're independently wealthy, that means a getting a job.
Natural Resources
Mining has always been a prominent industry in Spokane, more so than the manufacturing
of wall quotes stickers or even the development of technology. Gold and silver
were discovered near the city in 1883 and since then Spokane's mining
industry has expanded to include aluminum, zinc, and magnesium. Wood, too, has
been harvested from forests around Spokane since its establishment and the fertile
soil has given it an excellent base in agriculture, specifically the cultivation
of apples, peas, hops, pears, asparagus, wheat and cherries. Manufacturing in
the city is centered upon products made from locally harvested crops, metal,
and lumber such as furniture, metal tools, wine and beer.
Armed Forces and Technology
Careers in technology come in two forms: military and civilian, and Spokane
has opportunities for people in both walks of life. Nearby Fairchild Air Force
Base employs nearly 3,400 technicians, pilots, and laborers while technology-oriented
companies in the city such as Itron, Signature Genomics Laboratories, Cisco
and General Dynamics, employ thousands more. Research and development is done
in the fields of genetics, aerospace, clean energy, networking, communications,
and digital media, creating a demand for programmers, engineers, and other office
workers. If you happen to be a commercial mortgage broker you could do excellent
business dealing with clients who want to establish offices in Spokane.
Healthcare
Healthcare is one of the primary job sectors in Spokane, because the city provides
medical services not just to its own citizens but for a huge catchment area
that extends east to the Cascades, west into Idaho, north to the Canadian border
and south into Oregon. Opportunities in the field range from cleaning the aquarium
gravel in the fish tanks in doctor's waiting rooms to actually being
one of the doctors. With six major hospitals in the area, there's also
plenty of room for experienced administrators, service personnel, nurses, orderlies,
and paramedics.
Retail and Tourism
Spokane's isolation by default makes it a healthcare hub, and the same
goes for retail sales. As the only major city in a heavily forested area 80,000
square miles large, the city's malls and shops do a brusque trade. People
come from Idaho, Oregon, even as far away as Markham homes to shop. The city's
high degree of natural beauty, access to camping, rafting, climbing, and skiing
destinations also makes tourism a large component of the economy. So if you're
looking for a career in hospitality or adventure sports Spokane is the place
to come. |