Top 10 Jobs in Bridgeport Connecticut

MISSION: To expand and diversify behavioral health, criminal justice, and research services for adults, adolescents, and families in Connecticut, leading to a positive outcome for the community at large.

Connecticut Renaissance programs have increased the qualitiy of life in its Headquarters City of Bridgeport and all of the state of Connecticut. With the contritbution of these programs, violent crime has has declined in Bridgeport form 2001 - 2007, as shown below.

The following comparison of city and county records of violent crimes in Bridgeport shows a decline in this type of criminal activity from 2001 through the end of 2006. Anti-crime programs and a planned and implmented revitalization program have been successful, with increased success on the horizon. Many of the successful anti-crime programs showed the most positive outcomes in 2005 - 2006.

Reductions in Violent Crime from 2001 to 2007.

• Murder:as high as 28 in 2006, reduced to 12 - down 25%.
• Forcible Rape:69 reduced to 42 - down over 30%.
• Robbery: 608 reduced to 284 - cut by over half.
• Aggravated Assault: 1217 reduced to 332 - down to almost a third.
• Burglary:as high as 1401, reduced to 630 - cut by half.
• Larceny or Theft: as high as 4400, reduced to 1,892 - cut by over half.
• Car Theft:1,204 reduced to 539 - cut to over half.
• Arson: 161 reduced to 0.

Connecticut Renaissance offers the following effective programs , separately and significantly for adult and adolescenet populations of diver people, for combating crime and increasing the quality of life in Bridgeport:

• Impaired Drivers and Drug Education Programs
• Multiple Offender Program
• Residential Treatment
• Outpatient Programs
• Community Release - Education and Life Skills for former prisoners re-entering society. This program reduces recidivism by effectively addressing de-institutionalization, regulations, client goals, vocational and educational opportunities, individual and group therapy, 12 step programs, AIDS education, basic health, recreational therapy, and family systems re-establishment. An additioal 90-120 days programming ensures that each client has employment at a living wage in a Work Release and Follow-Up environment, along with appropriate sustainable housing.

For Youth and Families of Bridgeport:

• Individual, Couples and Family Counseling
• Our School Violence Prevention Program
• Aggression Replacement Therapy (ART)
• The FSATS (Family Substance Abuse Service) program
• The ACT (Adolescent Clinical Treatment) program
• The JRRC (Juvenile Risk Reduction Center) program - virtual tour.
• Many others.

The Highest Demand jobs in the Bridgeport-Stamford area include numerous openings in industries of Healthcare, Education, Finance, and Insurance. Thousands of jobs in new positions and those left by retiring Baby Boomers are available through at least 2014, increasing as the metroplex grows and develops positively each year.

Salaries in all of these jobs are high and require some training beyond high school. Not the Number One Job in this list - Registered Nurses - does not require a 4-year degrees, and hospitals often offer a tuition reimbursement plan. TRAVEL NURSING is also very lucrative, offering up to one full year of paid rent/mortage on top of all of the other benefits.

Top 10 Jobs in Bridgeport and Fairfield County, with Average Wage

1. Registered Nurses $63,303
2. Accountants and Auditors $67,235
3. General and Operations Managers $121,898
4. Elementary School Teachers, (not Special Ed) $57,165
5. Secondary School Teachers (Not Special and Vocational Ed) $58,207
6. Middle School Teachers (Not Special and Vocational Ed) $57,594
7. Computer Software Engineers $82,000
8. Computer Systems Analysts $75,608
9. Management Analysts $80,00
10. Financial Managers $111,000

Top Jobs Numbered 11 - 20 in Most Openings Forecast, with Average Wage

• Securities, Commodities, & Financial Services Sales Agents $133,337
• Insurance Sales Agents $68K
• Computer Support Specialists $50K
• Financial Analysts $90K
• Computer Programmers $75K
• Mechanical Engineers $70K
• Rehabilitation Counselors $36K
• Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts $68K
• Sales Managers $115K
• Network and Computer Systems Administrators $70K

Additional High-Demand Employment, with Approximate Average Wage

• Computer and Information Systems Managers $109K
• Child, Family, and School Social Workers $55K
• Market Research Analysts $74K
• Computer Software Engineers, Systems Software $85K
• Medical and Health Services Managers $94K
• Educational, Vocational, and School Counselors $55K
• Physical Therapists $70K
• Loan Officers $80K
• Industrial Engineers $70K
• Social and Community Service Managers $60K
• Employment, Recruitment, and Placement Specialists $60K
• Personal Financial Advisors $90K
• Aerospace Engineers $75K

Bridgeport is considered by many of its residents and workforce professionals such as myself as one of the Best Medium-Sized Cities in America for mid-level careerists and working families raising children. This is true for a number of reasons.

The median income in Bridgeport is in the mid-$40K range, just above that in Atlanta, Georgia, which is the top city for American jobs and business on the published lists of several financial abd business entities. Bridgeport has been revitalizing for some time, since the late 20th century, and will continue to do so. The Renaissance Center portrayed at the top of this article is just one example fo the expansion making this metropolitan area vital.

Bridgeport offers a large segment of affordable housing in good shape and is the home to many individuals that commute to nearby New York City and surrounding areas for work. In fact, Bridgeport is considered part of the Greater New York City LMA (labor market area) as well as the Bridgeport-Stamford Metropolitan Area. Bridgeport also contains upscale housing, appropriate fopr mid-level careerists as they progress in their occupations and businesses.

PROGRESSIVE ATMOSPHERE

An industrial city in the first half of the 20^th century, Bridgeport declined after World War II, plagued with urban blight as many of its 500+ factories closed. However its rebirth in the late 20^th and early 21^st centuries created an increasingly sophisticated urban cultural and arts center as well as an affordable bedroom community for NYC. This reconstruction and revitalization is true of medium-sized cities across the nation.

The political climate and city government operation have facilitated the rebirth of Bridgeport. The adults registered to vote in town form an overwhelming majority of Democrats - over 35,000 compared to about 8,000 Republicans, with far lesser numbers scattered sparsely among a very few other parties. This is about a 4.4 to 1 proportion in favor of Democrat-ic principals and pursuits, although not all agree with all the party policies and recommendations, just as is true in any group.

HIGH QUALITY OPPORTUNITIES

Because of this Democrat majority, the city tends to favor advances in Green Industries and green collar jobs, green urban projects, clean renewable energy, aquaculture, public transportation, and greater numbers of jobs and more jobs at a living wage [enough to live with adequate food, shelter, clothing, transportation, childcare, and heath care]. The city is in favor of usable education, youth programming that enhances academic achievement and workplace skills development, the arts, and other programs and projects for the common good. The school system includes charter schools and magnet schools in order to produce success for the greatest number of students.

Two excellent universities are located in Bridgeport - one specializing in medical and healthcare education and careers in partnership with the town's two major hospitals - along with high schools dedicated as Magnet Schools to majors in Business, Healthcare, Aquaculture, Vocational Certification, International Business and Culture, and other industries. Abundant training and employment opportunities are available in Bridgeport.

FACTS

At 144,890 individuals in 2007 and growing at 0.5% per yer, Bridgeport is the largest populated city in Connecticut, the County Seat of Fairfield County (population nearly 1 million), and the 5^rd largest city in New England. This creates a larger number of employment opportunities than in much of the rest of Northeast United States.

Situated on the Pequonnock River and Long Island Sound within short distances of Hartford and Stamford, Bridgeport is close to New York City (53 miles) without the crowding and freneticism inherent to big cities. Located on waterways, the city experiences shipping and recreational water activites that add to business opportuntities. Bridgeport-Stamford is an official US Labor Market Area (LMA) and considered part of the larger NYC Metroplex when examining employment and housing.

Many workers commute to Bridgeport for the more affordable, medium-range cost housing that is high quality, although upscale housing is also available. This range of housing makes Bridgeport ideal for Mid-Level Professionals and families with children in which parents have successful careers. .

DEMOGRAPHICS

• Caucasian 46%
• Black 29%
• Multi-Race 19.7%
• Asian 4.3%
• Native American 1%

Note: Hispanics = 56,278, in all race categories combined = 38.8%

Approximately 40% of Fairfield County residents are between 21 - 49 years old.

An old settlement in Colonial America, Bridgeport was actually not incorporated until 1821. However, it is steeped in traditions as old as The 13 Colonies and the Native American Nations, some fo which are active in business in the region.

TRIVIA

The city has also been home to circus icons P.T. Barnum and Tom Thumb. In fact, P.T. Barnum was once mayor of Bridgeport and Barnum and Tom Thumb are buried in the city today.

The Garbage Musuem, found in the links column, is a most interesting place to visit. The photo included is of a dinosaur made fompleted form discarded materials.

Several large-scale music festivals, including VIBES and those delightfully dedicated to Black Rock and Roll are held yearly in Bridgeport, with several popular vocal groups based in the city.

Univ. of Connecticut Huskies

• University Football

Bridgeport Sound Tigers

Hockey - AML: American Hockey League

Harbor Yard Ballpark

Bridgeport Bluefish minor league baseball

Curling

• Connecticut Curlers Inc (203) 615-0077
• Nutmeg Curling Club (203) 615-0077

Bridgeport Barrage Professional LaCrosse

University of Bridgeport Wheeler Recreation Center: Open to the Community

• Basketball
• Cricket
• Golf
• Flag Football
• Floor hockey
• Soccer
• Racquetball
• Volleyball

Water Sports at U of Bridgeport:

1. Lifeguard Training
2. CPR/First Aid
3. Water Safety
4. Swim Instructor Training
5. Water Aerobics

Other:

1. Yoga

While many of the Native American Nations were forced West in the 18th - 19th century, some remain in the area of Bridgeport and are aided by SBA Small Business Development Centers, as are Woman and other Minorities.

Federally Recognized Tribes

• Eastern Pequot Reservation
• Golden Hill Paugussett
• Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation
• The Mohegan Tribe
• Paucatuck Eastern Pequot Tribe
• Schaghticoke Tribal Nation

River Tribes

• Tunxis Poquonnuc
• Podunk
• Wangunk
• Machimoodus
• Hammonasset
• Quinnipiac

Matabesec (Wappinger) Confederacy

• Pootatuck
• Weawaug
• Unocwa
• Siwanoy

Federally Non-Recognized Tribes

• E. Pequots of Connecticut Nipmuc Indian Bands
• Paucatuck E. Pequots
• Scaticook Bands