Laura’s last guide (sadly she’s graduating) is dedicated to the city of brotherly love: Philadelphia!
Some Background Stats:
Population: 1.53 million
Unemployment Rate: 9.1%
Cost of living index: 71/100
Major industries: health, government, business finance
Climate: Winter—38°F, Summer—74°F
Professional Sports: Phillies, 76ers, Eagles, Flyers
Closing Time: 3AM
Best known for: The Liberty Bell
Best Dish: Philly Cheese Steak
Why We Chose It:
As the fifth largest city in the US and the second largest city on the East Coast, Philadelphia is the birthplace of American independence and could potentially become the starting point of your own independence after leaving the Bucknell bubble. You may have heard of it for the cheese steaks, its Liberty Bell, or perhaps even as the theoretical location of Paddy’s Pub, but the city offers much more for recent graduates in terms of the career world.
As the seventh largest metropolitan economy of the United States, Philadelphia is also the haven of the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, several Fortune 500 companies and over 100 universities and schools. Last year Philly graced the #9 spot on Business Week’s Nation’s Strongest Job Markets, and despite an unemployment rate of 9.1%, companies are still looking to hire. From July 2010 to July 2011, Philadelphia gained a net 200 jobs, with Education & Health Services, Professional & Business Services and Trade being the top three growth sectors.
Why You’ll Love it:
For anyone whose determined to continue their education upon entry into the real world, Philadelphia is home to over eighty degree granting institutions, ranking at the top of the nation in terms of concentration of institutions of higher learning. Plus at such a low cost of living, you’ll actually be able to afford tuition AND dinner!
But it’s not only buildings and books – Fairmount Park is the largest landscaped urban park in the country at 10,334 acres, claiming to be within walking distance of every city resident. You can take a stroll along the Schuylkill River or enjoy a picnic at one of their many live performances held throughout the summer. The city is easy to get around, thanks to SEPTA, which provides the city with trains, buses, rapid transit, trolleys, and subways through the city and its metropolitan counterparts. Not to mention – there free municipal wireless service.
For the girl that loves to shop, there is a tax-free law on clothing and hundreds of boutique shops to check around the city. Some of the best are located in Center City, Rittenhouse Square, Old City and Bella Vista. Stop for lunch at Continental Midtown, or get an acclaimed Philly cheese steak at Roxborough’s Dalessandro’s.
Philadelphia is also known for its arts and culture and has more outdoor sculptures and murals than any other US city. Any American History buff can check out where the Declaration of Independence was signed, visit the Liberty Bell, or get lost in one of the cities major museums such as the Franklin Institute. Philly is also a performing arts mecca. Check out ballet and dance performance schedules at Philadance.org, or see the students of The Academy of Vocal Arts in Rittenhouse for a cheap fare. For the true performing arts fan, the Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe is a must see, with this years show scheduled for late September.
What else do you have to check out in Philly? From June to September the British artist and light designer Bruce Munro is exhibiting a light arrangement around Longwood Gardens. There is also the Philadelphia Zoo, Camden Adventure Aquarium, and shopping at the Reading Terminal Market.
Not ready to leave Bucknell? We didn’t think so.
Check out the Bucknell Club of Philadelphia
476 alumni are in the area. Check out B-Link if you want to talk to people willing to speak about career advice and job opportunities at such places as:
Comcast ’02
U Penn ’07
Devine & Powers ’04
KPMG ’07
Or in industries such as:
Journalism ’06
Consulting ’02
Investment Banking ’84
Architecture ’01
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