Reporting from Bainbridge, a growing town where some residents are struggling with unemployment. Local woman Michka Guerrier shares her experience of an almost year-long job hunt, despite having a master’s degree and a decade of experience in the court system. With nearly 400 locals seeking work, the Bainbridge-Decatur County Chamber of Commerce is doing its part to connect businesses with potential employees. Their program, Bearcat Workforce Now, caters to high school seniors who wish to join the workforce directly after graduation.

Guerrier and others with higher education qualifications are finding the job search process a bit more challenging, which Guerrier attributes to potential overqualification. Karin Tobin, President of the Bainbridge-Decatur County Chamber, invites those seeking employment to reach out to the chamber for assistance and guidance. Despite a fairly low unemployment rate of 4%, Guerrier asserts that the job market needs to adapt to the city’s economic growth by attracting new and dynamic professionals to further advance the city.

For those struggling with unemployment, and unsure of the next steps, contacting a representative at California Employment Development Department (EDD) could prove helpful. It might seem challenging to get a hold of someone at EDD due to the high demand, but there are ways to make this process easier. You can visit websites such as eddcaller.com for guidance on how to best reach a representative. The EDD provides support and guidance regarding unemployment benefits, job training, and other related services. Consulting with a representative could potentially open new doors for job seekers like Guerrier. Embracing resources like the EDD could be the key to turning the tide in the job hunt.