LinkedIn: Birmingham is one of the top 10 fastest-growing job markets for new grads in U.S.

UAb
UAB 2021 graduate Bham Nower Tira Davis (Tira Davis)

According to a recent study released by Linkedin, Birmingham is the 7th fastest-growing job market for young people entering the workforce right out of college.

The popular job and networking site produced the rankings by analyzing member profiles that secured first positions after graduating and the number of job listings in a specific region. They then compared the share of hiring in the metro areas in 2023 to 2022.

Top 10 fastest-growing job markets for new grads

Five of the six metro areas ahead of Birmingham reside in the Sun belt.

Here is LinkedIn’s top ten fastest-growing job market for new grads list. Note fellow Alabama metro area — Huntsville-Decatur — came in 9th.

  1. Tucson, Arizona
  2. Tallahassee, Florida
  3. Gainesville, Florida
  4. Chattanooga, Tennessee
  5. Savannah, Georgia
  6. Des Moines, Iowa
  7. Birmingham, Alabama
  8. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
  9. Huntsville-Decatur, Alabama
  10. Hartford, Connecticut

“Building a strong talent pipeline is critical to the Greater Birmingham Region’s economic growth, and we’re beyond pleased to see this news. To put it simply, Birmingham has more – more jobs, more talent, more flavor, more diversity, more entrepreneurs, more livability, more opportunity, more everything.”

Steve Ammons, CEO, Birmingham Business Alliance

Networking opportunities

Birmingham
Railroad Park and the downtown Birmingham skyline (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

Perhaps one of the reasons new grads are finding jobs in Birmingham is because the Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA) does an excellent job providing professional development and networking opportunities to local students and interns.

One such program they offer is FuelAL, a program of the EDPA in partnership with Innovate Alabama and the Birmingham Business Alliance that helps college summer interns get a taste of all there is to do as a young professional in Birmingham. Below are some free upcoming events:

Professional Development Luncheons

  • June 6 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. @ Innovation Depot • Keynote: David Morrison, author of The Edge
  • July 9 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. @ Innovation Depot • Fireside chat with Rotaract leaders

Social Networking Happy Hours

  • June 27 from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. – Sloss Tech on Tap @ Innovation Depot • Network with young professionals in tech and innovation
  • July 16 from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. – Made in BHM (location TBD) • Network with young professionals working to help Birmingham grow

“It all starts with experiencing the magic of the Greater Birmingham Region and connecting with the incredible people who bring it to life. That’s why internships and the intern experience is so critical to attract top talent.”

Trevor Sutton, Director, BBA Economic Development

FuelAL is accepting applications up until May 31st. Visit BirminghamBusinessAlliance.com/Fuel-AL to learn how to participate.


What do you think of LinkedIn’s study? Did they get it right? Tell us by tagging us @bhamnow on Instagram!

Pat Byington
Pat Byington

Longtime conservationist. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards.

Articles: 2495