Return North to Live & Work in the Upper Peninsula

So as you all know, I’ve been living up in Marquette, Michigan since last September… after 6 months of being in a remote work situation due to COVID with my full-time job as a graphic designer in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I decided… why not take the chance now to live in a place I’ve always dreamt of living? So after getting it approved through work, I “returned north” to a place I’d been several times before and always gravitated toward. So I booked a month-long Airbnb, ended up falling in love with the town and the people, and I never left. I’m still living in Marquette 8 months later, with plans to stay as long as I can. It’s truly home to me now, and I’ve never felt like my soul belonged in a place more than it does in Marquette.

If you’ve ever had similar feelings to me, that you’d love to live in your dream location (and that place is the Upper Peninsula, like me!) then there’s an awesome opportunity coming up where you can learn more about how to do that. It’s called the Return North Professional Careers Fair. It’s hosted virtually this year, on May 20th, from 3-6pm and it’s FREE for job seekers. Return North was created to connect professionals in all walks of life with opportunities to return to the place they call home (or people like me, who moved to a place that always felt like home). Whether you’re looking to make a move this year or you’re simply window shopping, this is your time to stand out from being just a piece of paper.

There are many opportunities to connect with hiring managers and decision-makers within organizations in the Upper Peninsula face-to-face. And by many opportunities I mean MANY! Over 40 employers are currently signed up across a variety of industries ranging from technology and engineering to insurance and risk management as well as healthcare and education to skilled trades and manufacturing. If you’re interested in learning about a few towns that are hiring, be sure to check out my Guide to Escanaba and a day in Munising/Pictured Rocks area.

To prepare, you can create a “job seeker” profile in advance and schedule group and 1-on-1 meetings with potential employers. If you’ve been interested in living in the UP, this event is for you. Come on UP and enjoy the beauty and wonder of this place, while living in a fun, community-driven city that feels upbeat and lively, yet calm and relaxing. I feel very grateful for the opportunity to work and live here right now. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments. Happy to share more about my experience working remote in MQT!