Author: Dee Shore

Dec 5, 2011

Is college still worth the cost?

Getting a college degree used to be a guarantee for landing a good paying job. But no more. Like millions of other people, many workers with college degrees have lost their jobs, and many new college graduates can’t find a job in their field. Does this mean young people should re-evaluate? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden considers whether going to college is still worthwhile. 

Dec 2, 2011

Who's hiring?

Although there’ve been more than 2 million jobs created nationwide during the last two years, there are still 6 million people unemployed who had jobs before the recession. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden says small companies are the ones most likely to consider hiring someone who's unemployed. 

Dec 1, 2011

Looking ahead to Christmas selling

It’s well known that the Christmas buying season is a make or break time for many businesses. How strong will buying be this year? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden provides his outlook. 

Nov 30, 2011

Public poinsettia open house set for Sunday

Nearly 100 different cultivars of poinsettias will be on display from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday Dec. 4 at N.C. State University's JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh. Stop by to see the 9' tall poinsettia tree, enjoy poinsettia gardens and decorated poinsettias and help decide which poinsettias are North Carolina's favorites. 

Nov 30, 2011

Operation Twist

The Federal Reserve’s policies are always of interest, because they play such a key role in the economy. Recently the Fed ended one program called QE2 and began a new one termed Operation Twist. What have they stopped doing and what are they now doing instead? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds. 

Nov 29, 2011

Unfilled jobs

There are a reported 3.2 million job openings in the country. With the total number of unemployed people at 14 million, we might think these openings wouldn’t last long. But they have. N.C. State University economists points out the possible reasons. 

Nov 28, 2011

A changed consumer

A couple of years ago, N.C. State University economist Mike Walden said the recession we were experiencing was going to change consumer habits: out would be the heavy borrowing and spending, and in would be saving and frugality. Was he right? 

Nov 25, 2011

Trends in the state labor market

The last job report for North Carolina was challenging. The state lost more than 20,000 jobs, and cuts were made in both the private and public sectors. The state unemployment rate climbed to 10.5 percent. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains what's going on. 

Nov 24, 2011

Debate over multipliers

One of the factors involved in the debate about the president’s proposed jobs plan is how the money will flow through the economy. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden discusses that factor. 

Nov 23, 2011

Tax base and tax rate

Tax plans are flying-off the presses from the various presidential candidates. These plans can be complicated with many details, but two concepts common to all are the tax base and tax rate. What are these, and why are they important? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds.