It may be nicknamed the Second City, but Chicago is first in our hearts — at least in terms of exciting career opportunities for the 18-to-35 set. If you’re a millennial who’s looking to make big career moves in the Midwest, check out these top industries in Chicago for Gen Yers:
Technology: Tech behemoth and millennial favorite Google just moved to a new office in Chi-Town, but there’s even more to offer for techies here. In fact, 1871, which bills itself as Chicago’s entrepreneurial hub for digital startups, was recently named the top university-affiliated business incubator by UBI Global.
Finance: Forget Wall Street — head to Chicago if you want to make a go of it in the competitive finance industry. Chicago is home to one of the U.S.’s 12 regional Federal Reserve Banks, and the Windy City is known as a center for global derivatives trading. World Business Chicago reports that Chicago makes up almost one-fourth of the world’s global derivatives trading market — more than twice as much as New York (take that, Big Apple).
Health: Home to six different medical schools and 90 hospitals (with several being teaching hospitals), Chicago’s not a bad place to start a medical career. In fact, some predict that Chicago could be the next big healthcare technology hub in the U.S. — thanks in part to the tech-savvy young med students and doctors all over town.
Publishing: Second only two New York, Chicago is one of the U.S.’s publishing powerhouses. You’ll recognize big publishing names like Rand McNally and University of Chicago Press — the largest university press in the nation — but independent publishers abound here too. If scoring a publishing gig in NYC sounds to cliché, head to the Second City.
Food Processing: This industry might not sound super sexy, but it’s one of the largest in Chicago. Brand names like Pepsi and Kraft are top employers, but if words like “small-batch” and “artisanal” make your heart rate speed up, check out the bevy of small food producers in the city that pride themselves on quality over quantity. Plus, tons of food expos come to town throughout the year, making Chicago a great place for young’uns to learn the ins and outs of this industry.
Media: If it was good enough for Oprah, it’s good enough for you. While Oprah’s Harpo Studios has since relocated, Chicago is still the third largest media market in the U.S. (and the largest outside of the two coasts). Whether you’re interested in dipping you foot in the world of newspapers, radio, or broadcast television, Chicago’s a good place to get your start.
Biotechnology: Calling all STEM lovers: If you want to combine your love of tech with biology, Chicago’s the place to be. Over 500 biotech-related companies call the city home, and the biotech sector in Chicago gained over 500 jobs from 2014 to 2015. Plus, the International Institute of Nanotechnology is also nearby, at Northwestern University.
Hospitality and Tourism: As the major city of the Midwest, Chicago sees its fair share of visitors — and knows how to keep them entertained. The city is famous for its comedy scene (The Second City produced big comedy names like Joan Rivers, Tina Fey, and Stephen Colbert), and it’s a great place for future hotel magnates to learn the ropes too, with The Drake Hotel, The Fairmont Chicago, and Waldorf Astoria serving up some of the most luxurious digs in the country.
Higher Education: Do you dream of educating tomorrow’s brightest minds at some of the nation’s best colleges and universities? Then you could do well in Chicago, home to prestigious schools like the University of Chicago, DePaul University, and nearby Northwestern, in Evanston, IL.
Engineering: If you grew up building fanciful structures out of Legos, you might find your life’s calling in Chicago. Engineering is a major sector in the city, particularly industrial, civil, and utility engineering. Leading utility engineering firm HBK has headquarters downtown, and nearby Northwestern University has one of the best engineering schools in the country.
Are you a millennial in Chicago? What industry do you work in? Share with us in the comments below!
