This project provides opportunity to develop and demonstrate network analysis and visualization skills by using Job-to-Job (J2J) flow data from US Census. It was expected to develop a clear research question related to job-flows in the US and use a series of visualization techniques to answer the identified questions.
In the first quarter of 2023, California’s job market showed significant dynamics across various job sectors, with particular emphasis on Health Care and Social Assistance sectors. The job-to job workflow analysis provides insights into how workers transitioned between jobs within this period, highlighting the fluidity and movement within the labor market. This is a positive sign of a healthy economy where employees seek better opportunities. In the dynamic job market of California, the trends in job-to-job (J2J0 flows provide valuable insights into the mobility and stability of the workforce. Health Care and Social Assistance sectors stood out, especially in the post-pandemic recovery phase. These sectors experienced substantial job movements, reflecting the ongoing demand for healthcare professionals and social workers. The increased mobility within these sectors is a testament to their critical role in supporting public health and community well-being.
The bar graph below shows high rates of Health Care and Social Assistance workers moving out of California. This can suggest that workers in these sectors were more likely to seek new employment opportunities. Understanding these trends is crucial for policymakers and businesses to address workforce needs and a growing economy. Sectors such as technology, healthcare, and professional services saw significant outflows, reflecting the broader economic trends and job market dynamics.
The health care sector stands out with substantial inflows, reflecting California’s demand for healthcare professionals and possibly better employment opportunities in this field. There is an interesting contrast in the Health Care and Social Assistance job sector, with both high outflows and inflows. The health care sector stands out with substantial inflows, reflecting California’s demand for healthcare professionals and possibly better employment opportunities in this field. There is an interesting contrast in the Health Care and Social Assistance job sector, with both high outflows and inflows.
In Q1 of 2023, California saw significant job-to-job outflows, with many workers transitioning to new positions in other states. This map shows the average number of jobs moving from California to each state, excluding Alaska. High housing costs in areas like San Francisco and Los Angeles are driving workers to relocate (Higham, 2024). The most common destinations for job outflows included Texas, Arizona, Washington, Nevada, and New York. These states offer more favorable economic conditions and lower living costs.
The network flow visualization provides an insightful look into these movements, highlighting the states contributing most to California’s workforce and the sectors driving these inflows. The visualization revealed that states such as Texas, New York, and Arizona are major contributors to job inflows in California. These states show strong connections, indicating a steady movement of workers into California. The prominence of these states in the network highlights regional economic interdependencies and the attractiveness of California's job market. The thickness of the lines in the network visualization represents the volume of job inflows. Thicker lines indicate higher inflows, providing a clear visual representation of where most workers are coming from.