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Auto industry struggles to lure best, brightest

The Detroit News -- The U.S. auto industry's woes have long made it challenging for Detroit carmakers to recruit top talent. Now, the fat paychecks and big bonuses offered by financial firms are making it even harder.

Once a place promising young people aspired to be, decades of decline, the rise of high-tech hot spots such as Silicon Valley and the rich compensation at big investment banks have knocked Detroit off the top of many of their lists.

"Our best and our brightest are going to Wall Street and consulting," said Ford Motor Co. Executive Chairman Bill Ford Jr. "We can go to top universities overseas, and they want to work for us. If we went to Stanford, if we went to Caltech, if we went to Harvard or my alma mater, Princeton -- it's a much tougher sell."

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Submitted Mar 16, 2010 By: dwgt.net

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honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:15,290 Points:1,146,200 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 17, 2010 10:57:37 PM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse maybe they should be looking for older folks, not just the fresh out of college 20-somet hing
kelsielee Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,389 Points:672,025 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 17, 2010 8:42:15 AM Ignore kelsielee Report Abuse In such a terrible economy, it is hard to imagine that hiring good people is difficult. There are so many qualified people that are unemployed, and seeking work, that the pool of candidates should be large (other than for top executive positions).
phurburger Champion Author Atlanta Posts:2,555 Points:530,670 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 10:58:21 PM Ignore phurburger Report Abuse Duh, what young person with any common sense would want to enter into a potential life career in such a crumbling industry?
Blue48 Champion Author Illinois Posts:4,980 Points:1,176,120 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 5:21:36 PM Ignore Blue48 Report Abuse GOOD LUCK TO ALL!
cpl11787 All-Star Author Minnesota Posts:630 Points:123,275 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 4:47:21 PM Ignore cpl11787 Report Abuse There are plenty of people who know what they are doing, and they are probably out of a job, get them.
Bubba44612 Champion Author Ohio Posts:5,203 Points:1,424,970 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 3:46:29 PM Ignore Bubba44612 Report Abuse They are just looking in the wrong places.
my2002m Champion Author Tulsa Posts:3,799 Points:1,208,645 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 12:40:04 PM Ignore my2002m Report Abuse In the hard hit auto industry, too many uncertainties. But in this job market surely they can find talent they need to keep their operations running.
BlueTucson Champion Author Syracuse Posts:1,951 Points:978,610 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 12:15:19 PM Ignore BlueTucson Report Abuse While I feel that top executives are often overpaid, government regulation of their pay is certainly not going to solve any problems. Rather, it will ensure that the most able people will look elsewhere when seeking employment. I also feel that, across the board, engineering pay needs to rise in this country. It takes a lot more to get an engineering degree than most other college degrees, and those who become engineers are generally capable of working in higher paying fields like finance, medicine, law and management. I have known many engineers who have gone this route. Over the past several years I have heard countless times that we as a nation face an upcoming shortage on engineers. The solution is simple. Pay engineers similar salaries to what they could make in other fields and many will stay in engineering.
fordmexico Champion Author Michigan Posts:7,571 Points:307,425 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 11:53:17 AM Ignore fordmexico Report Abuse Wizard03, I wouldn't want an engineer designing vehicles either. Vehicle design starts first with inspiration to visualize a vehicle that will stir desire for people to own it. Next, comes the engineers who make it happen. Finance needs to make sure it can be built profitably. Finally the sales and marketing team need to bring it to market. In other words, a team of people is required to successfully bring a vehicle to market!
orestroker Champion Author Portland Posts:1,080 Points:880,145 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 11:40:35 AM Ignore orestroker Report Abuse I think the perception is that Detroit doesn't value the innovation that the best and brightest represent.
Houckster Champion Author Atlanta Posts:7,798 Points:657,470 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 11:06:03 AM Ignore Houckster Report Abuse DON20 writes: Cut the paycheck and bonus of the CEO's, get rid of the union. Then give the workers a raise for doing a days work... ____ I got a real chuckle out of this. First, we have that tired call: "Get rid of the union." This is a real indication that a clue is very much needed. The unions are not the big problem. High health care costs are the issue that drag the car companies down. The cost of UAW labor vs labor for other companies like Honda is approximately equal at the bottom line. Honda also has a far smaller retiree population. That's a very big negative for Detroit. You fix health care and you go a very big way towards making Detroit more competitive. Secondly, the kind of talent discussed here is NOT blue-collar labor. It is white-collar that's never been unionized. Third, in an employer's market, giving people a raise is not something a company's going to do. They don't have to compete for workers except at the very top levels. I haven't had a raise in years and I'm lucky just to have a job (at least until May 31). One of the reasons why so many people got in trouble that we've had a brutal recession is that wages have stagnated. Finally, Bill Ford worked for free during his tenure. Cutting his salary isn't going to help much. Other major executives in Detroit aren't setting any records for compensation either. Executive compensation, even if they all worked for free wouldn't change the picture much. As for Alan Mullaly, he's earned every cent by returning Ford to profitability. [Edited by: Houckster at 3/16/2010 11:08:03 AM EST]
MUSTANGSRUS Champion Author Ontario Posts:7,399 Points:1,511,020 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 10:51:19 AM Ignore MUSTANGSRUS Report Abuse Considering the state of the economy, and how much money was put in to help financial institutions, how can they offer huge salaries and bonuses?
Houckster Champion Author Atlanta Posts:7,798 Points:657,470 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 10:46:25 AM Ignore Houckster Report Abuse One poster notes (typically): It's amazing that America's brightest young people don't want to work in a struggling industry that is falling under the control of the Government. _____ Let's get back to reality shall we? The current generation of Americans, those in university now, are among the more liberal sectors of our population. The temporary government involvement is probably a very minor factor if it's one at all for most of them. There are three issues that seem more probable in determining job choice. First there's the compensation level. The tuition costs for a major university are extremely high. By the time some of these students are leaving college, they're covered up in debt. Given the choice between a Detroit salary and one paying a lot more, there's little choice in the decision. Secondly, this generation is very environmentally aware and cars are one reason we have problems. To this I would add that, while Detroit may be doing some of the right things now, it will be a long time before Detroit has an image with some luster to it. Third, the potential to change what's happening in this country may seem greater when one is with a firm where the money is. Of course this is all speculation but the idea that temporary government ownership of a car company is a large factor, especially when Ford laments their difficulty in attracting talent, just doesn't do it for me. [Edited by: Houckster at 3/16/2010 10:47:18 AM EST]
bell05 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:6,894 Points:1,412,635 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 10:13:47 AM Ignore bell05 Report Abuse They just have to work harder.
Wizrd03 Champion Author Illinois Posts:5,796 Points:1,170,085 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 10:13:38 AM Ignore Wizrd03 Report Abuse I wouldn't want a business major designing a car (maybe what caused toyota's problems?) - engineers have declined in popularity in general in the past couple of decades leaving the US in a brain vacuum. Lured by quick big bucks the brightest have changed direction. Those who want satisfaction of a difficult job done well through thourogh thought processes still go to the technical side - thank god for them.
Dennis783 Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:11,294 Points:2,251,960 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 10:12:17 AM Ignore Dennis783 Report Abuse Would you want to go into an industry under fire?
Don20 Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:7,312 Points:2,157,070 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 10:07:17 AM Ignore Don20 Report Abuse The U.S. auto industry's woes have long made it challenging for Detroit carmakers to recruit top talent. Now, the fat paychecks and big bonuses offered by financial firms are making it even harder. Cut the paycheck and bonus of the CEO's, get rid of the union. Then give the workers a raise for doing a days work...
condé Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,762 Points:1,590,695 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 10:02:38 AM Ignore condé Report Abuse Hint! UNIONS are cash suckers to any business and add nothing to the end product! Jobs, see how well they kill a business too!
phinsup67 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:4,936 Points:938,650 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 10:01:22 AM Ignore phinsup67 Report Abuse Hard to feel very sorry for any of them...but there are plenty of folks from Wall St. looking for other employment. They'll manage.
DirtDauber Champion Author San Antonio Posts:4,435 Points:1,166,250 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:59:30 AM Ignore DirtDauber Report Abuse Sounds like a pretty tough road to me.
VetteFan Champion Author Indiana Posts:7,424 Points:1,571,555 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:59:09 AM Ignore VetteFan Report Abuse How can you lure people if you can't guarantee long term employment?
gilfarm Champion Author Alabama Posts:4,636 Points:1,508,890 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:58:07 AM Ignore gilfarm Report Abuse I sure there are plenty of people for them to hire. Wall Street can use only so many!
206awd250 Champion Author Seattle Posts:1,260 Points:521,155 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:57:51 AM Ignore 206awd250 Report Abuse Tough sell for Detroit.
DWME Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,223 Points:250,000 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:57:45 AM Ignore DWME Report Abuse They'll figure it out and get on the right track.
kbierley Champion Author Dayton Posts:9,934 Points:1,271,545 Joined:Nov 2003	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:54:15 AM Ignore kbierley Report Abuse Good luck on that.
Helms Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:4,737 Points:1,497,915 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:53:36 AM Ignore Helms Report Abuse ...where you can steal really big bucks...or everyone is interested in being on a reality TV show and getting their big break....besdies there are less "brains" to go around now that we've dumbed down education
WyrelessMike All-Star Author Little Rock Posts:991 Points:427,470 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:53:30 AM Ignore WyrelessMike Report Abuse Yeah, but weren't the best and brightest supposed to be at Toyota?
VTROCK Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,582 Points:646,305 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:53:18 AM Ignore VTROCK Report Abuse It's amazing that America's brightest young people don't want to work in a struggling industry that is falling under the control of the Government. If Ford is having a problem attracting talent, I can't imagine how hard it must be for GM and Chrysler.
DAK1960 Champion Author Illinois Posts:2,014 Points:424,680 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:52:34 AM Ignore DAK1960 Report Abuse they need to get this done so that people will start building up our businesses instead of financial companies simply ripping everyone off
RocketmanC99 Champion Author Missouri Posts:1,341 Points:671,115 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:52:00 AM Ignore RocketmanC99 Report Abuse Well no kidding! Who wants to work for a company that may be gone next month?
AnObserver Champion Author New Jersey Posts:6,290 Points:1,845,210 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:50:30 AM Ignore AnObserver Report Abuse Most conventional industries are experiencing this 'brain drain' to high paying glamour firms like financial institutions
Goatroper Champion Author Dallas Posts:4,700 Points:916,445 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:50:20 AM Ignore Goatroper Report Abuse Detroit is becoming a burnt out shell. The city is seriously considering bulldozing large areas of the city for parks and have neighborhoods consolidate.
murushi Champion Author Ontario Posts:5,806 Points:1,081,275 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:46:58 AM Ignore murushi Report Abuse KillChain, you are right on the money!
fightbigoil71 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:5,231 Points:1,092,810 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:46:48 AM Ignore fightbigoil71 Report Abuse Ford could be searching more diligently for these kind of people
OnEmptyMO Champion Author St. Louis Posts:3,451 Points:1,047,485 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:46:45 AM Ignore OnEmptyMO Report Abuse Can anyone really blame these people from NOT wanting to work in the auto field.
spunky4443 Champion Author Washington Posts:4,756 Points:1,215,915 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:45:17 AM Ignore spunky4443 Report Abuse Can't be all that bad, you could be working at Toyota.
milespergallon Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,508 Points:1,483,065 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:43:55 AM Ignore milespergallon Report Abuse They better start hiring those that can take the vehicles from internal combustion to alternative fuel or these manufacturers will not be in existence soon.
JXQW Champion Author Kansas City Posts:2,118 Points:516,645 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:42:27 AM Ignore JXQW Report Abuse it is doubtful there is the "best" and "brightest". But if there is, they would not know since they have never known ...
KillChain Champion Author Albuquerque Posts:4,430 Points:1,096,025 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:41:57 AM Ignore KillChain Report Abuse No one wants to live in Michigan anymore.
minnesotagirl Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:3,569 Points:781,210 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:41:18 AM Ignore minnesotagirl Report Abuse You mean there are no qualified people out there with nearly 10% unemployment? Ford must not be looking very hard.
Texrider49 Champion Author New Haven Posts:1,340 Points:313,725 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:40:32 AM Ignore Texrider49 Report Abuse instead of going for the us personal they are going overseas which means more US citizens out of work. FORD doesn't care about the Americans in this country. the just want Profit.
paoli8 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:4,920 Points:1,381,410 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:39:33 AM Ignore paoli8 Report Abuse Probably don't attract the brightest.
TommyTraveler Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:6,332 Points:1,236,280 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:39:29 AM Ignore TommyTraveler Report Abuse Try hiring people with ability instaed of an Ivy League shingle.
hauler43 Champion Author Oakland Posts:7,155 Points:2,357,985 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:36:41 AM Ignore hauler43 Report Abuse "Salaries for the Detroit automaker's top 25 managers were cut 31 percent and a $500,000," I could live with that.
hybridaholic Champion Author Appleton Posts:6,006 Points:1,097,440 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:36:03 AM Ignore hybridaholic Report Abuse 'WALL STREET' all over again
CPapi Veteran Author Chicago Posts:349 Points:84,000 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:34:55 AM Ignore CPapi Report Abuse Oh so THAT'S where my tax dollars went
BillHeatherL Champion Author Alberta Posts:5,350 Points:1,482,305 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:33:54 AM Ignore BillHeatherL Report Abuse the fat paychecks and big bonuses offered by financial firms are coming out of the outrages fees the banks charge us
mooneagle Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:7,123 Points:1,297,535 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:33:25 AM Ignore mooneagle Report Abuse amen bluebird1
bluebird1 Champion Author Toronto Posts:13,442 Points:2,657,960 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:30:34 AM Ignore bluebird1 Report Abuse ...and the financial firms can offer the big bonuses because they were bailed out with no strings attached...thanks to Bush. Its the most ludicrous 'slap in the face' (I can think of another term) taxpayers have had.
ModelWarships Champion Author Missouri Posts:4,240 Points:922,180 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:30:28 AM Ignore ModelWarships Report Abuse BS walks