Sacramento Expert Says Business Services Are Key For Sustained Growth

While May's jobs report touted growth in the Capital Region's 12 core industries and the lowest unemployment since 2008, Professional and Business Services was one of two sectors to show job loss. In June, however, this sector bounced back, adding 1,500 jobs and outpacing its 10-year average by 700 jobs, according to Employment Development Department data.

Observers say this sector is key to sustaining growth as it signals opportunity for entrepreneurs and small business.

Cari Vinci, owner of FranNet, is a franchise business consultant in Sacramento and Reno. She works to place people within businesses.

Given the recent growth noted in the May and June jobs reports, what is the job outlook for college graduates? Which sectors are most likely to hire these up-and-coming professionals?

"The Sacramento area outpaced both the state and country during this time with much of the job growth that happened during this time in the education, health services and business services sectors. These three sectors align extremely well with the types of businesses, people are finding the most success with at this time."

What is needed to sustain the tentative growth we witnessed from May to July? Should future employees be looking to advance skills? What do employers need to do to be flexible and pursue growth at the same time?

"Small business growth in Sacramento, and California as a whole, is needed to help continue the positive trend in jobs and job security. Many people are looking to increase their skills to remain competitive and it's showing. As the city, and even the world, becomes more accessible, service becomes a great differentiator and businesses are putting resources there to fit this need. Unfortunately, many of these jobs are part-time opportunities."

Overall, what is your forecast for the region as far as the traditional heavyweights in the Capital Region?

"Education and health services are not just growing sectors, but increasingly more necessary as Americans in the Baby Boomer generation get older. Also, Millennials, who have a high appreciation for education, are continuing to start families so there is an opportunity for early education to continue to rise."

Carol Terracina-Hartman is a freelance writer based in Sacramento. She covers all things environment. In 2012, she received the Outstanding Service Award from the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism. See her work at Examiner.com.