Creative Class Jobs, Few Held by Minorities, Most Stable During Economic Crisis

During the recession, white and Asians in urban areas were more likely to retain their jobs in fields that typically require education like those in science and technology, in business, and in arts, design, media, and entertainment, an urban sociologist reports.

Richard Florida, a professor and founder of Atlantic Cities, writes extensively about the creative class, and in?a recent post, he says, "[H]aving a Creative?Class occupation lowers an individual?s probability of being unemployed."?

Far more vulnerable to cycles of unemployment are those in the service sector and working-class positions, both of which are largely dominated by minorities.

Among?racial and ethnic groups, about 34 percent of whites and half of Asians possess creative class jobs. About 40 percent of Hispanics work in service jobs, and another 40 percent in working-class positions. About half of service jobs and a third of working-class jobs are filled by blacks.

About?81 percent of the nation's creative class jobs are held by whites.

Florida refers to a?TechCrunch?story that explains the benefit of securing positions in occupations that incorporate creativity and education: "In a time?of high unemployment, when traditional skills can be outsourced?or automated, creative skills remain highly sought after and highly?valuable. We all want to be part of the Creative Class of programmers, designers, and information workers. The term used to mean?artists and writers. Today, it means job stability."?

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Source: http://www.nationaljournal.com/thenextamerica/workforce/creative-class-jobs-few-held-by-minorities-most-stable-during-economic-crisis-20121023

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