Culture & Jobs at SkySpecs

Working fully remote is not for everyone. Some people thrive in a collaborative, team environment, yet still enjoy some flexibility with occasionally working remotely.

If a company’s product is what they do, and their purpose is why, their company culture is how.  How does the company operate, how do people interact with each other, and how do things get done. It’s sometimes laid out in concrete terms and examples, and sometimes it’s a vibe. It’s also one of the top things job seekers look for in a new role.

Time for a change? More and more tech companies are hiring and looking for talented people to join their teams. In fact, according to Crunchbase, in the last week of May, only around 350 job cuts were recorded in their Tech Layoffs Tracker. While that may sound like a lot, it's actually far fewer than the thousands that Crunchbase usually adds to the tally each week. 

Artificial intelligence is one of the hottest topics in tech, but the reality is — AI companies have been working on this for a long time. 

In 2010, two years after the auto industry’s recession, the unemployment rate in Detroit reached a staggering 24.9%. At the time one major industry was facing survival, others were taking a bet on technology and innovation as the future of Detroit’s economy. 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, but for those who struggle with mental health issues, finding support is a year-round challenge. 

You’ve heard it before: Earth Day is every day. It’s a cutesy slogan used in April pretty much every year and although its excitement has worn off with time, it’s not wrong…As information continues to surface about our environmental impact and the necessity of sustainable practices, Earth Day really should be every day. 

Okay, so the layoff numbers still look bad. Nearly 170,000 people have been laid off in the tech industry this year. But let’s put things into perspective.  Despite layoffs in the tech sector, job reports indicate that unemployment is relatively low, and overall job growth, while cooling off, remains strong.

A fulfilling career goes far beyond a nice paycheck and a modern office space. It even goes beyond remote-life, flexible working hours, and work-life balance. Okay, that last one is preeeetty important. But what really makes for a fulfilling career is working for a mission-driven company that does good in the world. 

Work-life balance. Work-life integration. Separation of work and life. Whatever you want to call it, the peace we find between our work life and our personal life is important. 

Software as a service is no longer a new idea — but it still packs a big punch in the way we do things. From construction to healthcare, SaaS companies are making a big impact on society and making it easier to get work done so we can spend more time building relationships, connecting with our communities, and making customers happy! 

Branding. It’s often used by the marketing team to talk about the company’s brand, but it’s becoming more and more important in the recruiting industry, too. 

In honor of International Women's Day, we’re feeling a serious surge of girl power. Women have made a lot of strides in the workplace, especially in tech. But there is still work to be done — as of 2022, women only hold 26.7% of tech jobs (Exploding Topics). 

From the Great Resignation and “Quiet Quitting” to massive layoffs, it would appear that the power dynamics between employer and employee have shifted once again. 

Ann Arbor is home to some of the brightest startups in the Midwest, and in the country. With a world-class university feeding talent and funding into the tech ecosystem, plus the ripple effect of many successful startups, it’s a quickly growing tech hub.

There’s no doubt this year has had its ups and downs. Making national headlines were the slew of layoffs across the board at major tech companies like Amazon, Meta, and Netflix. While the Midwest hasn’t been totally immune to layoffs and rollbacks, it’s faring better than the coasts. 

This year has certainly had its share of ups and downs. It’s true that the Midwest isn’t totally immune to the widespread tech layoffs that are happening on the coasts, but overall the Midwest tech community is still going strong. Times might be tough. Our community is tougher. 

Ann Arbor is a growing hub for startup and tech companies. With a top university growing and supporting entrepreneurs, major tech companies like Google with hubs in the city, and a culture for innovation, Ann Arbor has some amazing places to work in the startup and tech ecosystem. 

How and where we work have changed so much over the last two years, it’s having a lasting impact on company structure. Job seekers demand flexibility when it comes to location, schedules and culture because the old way of working, well, wasn’t really working. 

There’s no doubt a shift is happening in the hiring landscape. Many companies, big and small, have gone from rapidly hiring to cutting teams and reorganizing their labor force. But that’s not the whole story.  Despite the media’s focus on layoffs and hiring freezes, there are still many companies that are hiring. Just in the last couple of weeks, we’ve seen companies continue to hire, raise money and grow.

My dad always says, "If you're not learning at your job anymore, it's time to move on." Professional growth and development are huge factors for taking — or leaving — a job. 

The Midwest truly has some of the best tech talent in the world. Gone are the days when the middle of the country is overlooked and underrated. Companies are seeing it and they are taking action. If you’re a Midwest job seeker with a strong background and desirable skills, these companies are looking for you.

The U.S. is one of the only countries in the world without any form of paid parental leave on the national level. 

Job searching can be an exhausting journey. There. We said it. It’s because of the work and effort we know you have to put into this search, that we want to make it simple for you to see what jobs are available while getting a quick glimpse into a company. So use this 5-minute break from your daily tasks to check out these open jobs.

Ann Arbor continues to be one of the top growing tech ecosystems around the country with some great hiring tech companies. A combination of university talent pipelines, top-rated quality of life, a growing startup ecosystem, and growing VC funding has Tree Town topping lists as one of the best places to start a tech company or find a top tech job. 

We’ve seen the models, we know the data… the climate crisis is the biggest and most dire challenge society faces right now. 

The Midwest is rapidly becoming home to some of the best fintech startups in the country. 

From renewable energy to cyber security, there are a ton of great companies hiring engineers to work on exciting projects. If you’re looking for a job with a purpose, a team to call home, or the ultimate work-life balance, check out these 13 engineering roles that are hiring right now. {{cta('5f6df6ea-8370-4070-9b21-e7064a12d0f8','justifycenter')}}

SkySpecs, the Michigan-based energy renewal startup, announced today that an $80 million capital raise has closed. SkySpecs provides service and software solutions to make renewable energy the most efficient power source in the world. 

For an updated list, check out 2023's Best Companies for Work-Life Balance.   Work-life balance. It’s been a buzz word for the last two years as the COVID-19 pandemic blurred the lines between work and home. As we enter a new era of benefits, the pandemic has made one thing clear: a healthy work-life balance is very important. 

We're virtually heading to SXSW, one of the country's biggest festivals and conferences. We're teaming up with our friends at Midwest House to host the career fair on March 15th and connect top employers and job seekers.

If you’re part of the 76% of job seekers and employees who report that a diverse workforce is an important factor when evaluating companies and job offers, you may be wondering: how do I find a diverse company?

Americans are leaving their jobs in record numbers to search for something better. So when it comes to the best places to work in 2022, what does that look like?

Ann Arbor as a tech ecosystem has grown leaps and bounds over the last few years with major acquisitions of Duo Security and Llamasoft and the rise of new, cutting-edge startups. An entrepreneurial ripple effect is starting to highlight the power of the startup community. And it's not slowing down. 

It’s Earth Day again, and we’re so happy that more startups than ever are founded on a mission of sustainability. If you’re looking for a great job at a Midwest sustainability startup, you have so many choices. In honor of the earth-friendly holiday, we rounded up some great companies doing good work in the environmental space in the Midwest. Here are a few of the awesome sustainability startups from Ann Arbor to Columbus.

There’s no doubt that the Midwest is a great place to be for tech jobs. And if you still have doubts, just check out some of the best startups and tech companies that call the Midwest home. They’re great places to work, and, with competitive salaries and affordable cost of living, life in the Midwest can be pretty good. 

The list is out for 2022 — check out the Top Ann Arbor Tech Companies & Startups to Watch in 2022   Ann Arbor is perfectly positioned to be one of the best cities for tech jobs. Not just in the Midwest, but in the country. 

Looking for the most recent startups to watch? Check out these lists: Top Ann Arbor Tech Companies to Watch in 2021 Top Ann Arbor Tech Companies & Startups to Watch in 2022

Southeast Michigan is filled with emerging tech talent. Beyond Detroit's borders is another hub packed to the brim with entrepreneurialism and innovation. Cue Ann Arbor. Only 40 mins from the heart of Detroit, Ann Arbor is home to an abundance of tech startups. And with one unicorn company already under its belt, it's only a matter of time before Ann Arbor brings home another victory.  Interested to learn more? Check out Ann Arbor's top 9 tech startups to watch.