Detroit: Smitten on the Mitten with Manufacturing
A city that requires drivers drive south into Canada (yep!), Detroit sits in southeastern Michigan, at the base of the thumb of the mitten. It abuts the Detroit River, which runs between Lakes Huron and Erie.
It is the largest city in Michigan and the tenth largest city in the country. Gaining its start as a place to trade furs, Detroit is the oldest city west of the original colonies.
A Michigan Fact
The University of Michigan, one of our sponsored schools, was founded in 1817 in Detroit. It was one of the first public universities in the U.S. About a century later, Detroit also gave birth to the first four-way traffic light in 1918. In 1913, just before the first four-way traffic light made its appearance, Henry Ford started the first automotive assembly line in Detroit.
After its fur-trading days, Detroit became a hub for shipping and manufacturing: first of military supplies in the early 1900s; then of automobiles, particularly those produced by General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler (giving it its nickname as The Motor City; and now of steel, metal, and numerous other products as well.
Today, Detroit is one of the largest manufacturing cities in the country, and also has a health industry that serves as one of its leading employers.
Michigan Colleges and Making Music
What do Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, the Temptations, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Madonna, Aaliyah, Bob Seger, and Eminem all have in common? They all have their musical roots in Detroit. If you’re a music major, why not see if universities in Michigan can deliver some music-making magic? Maybe you’ll be the next big thing to emerge out of Detroit’s music machine.
Education in Detroit, especially at the graduate level, could help you pursue opportunities in areas like these and others. For example, you could consider an advanced degree in math, science, or engineering and apply what you learn to a career in manufacturing. Through a degree program in industrial mechanical engineering, you can learn about resource management, manufacturing, computer technology, civil engineering, construction, and more.
In Detroit, a city whose industrial economy is relatively strong, you could apply a degree like this at companies such as Chrysler, HP Enterprise, or Ford Motor Company.
You might also consider earning an advanced degree in technology. Degrees in areas such as business information systems, computer science, information assurance and cybersecurity, or technology management, for example, could help you pursue a career in industry or professional services, both of which have options in Detroit.
Did You Know?
Detroit became the first city in 1879 to assign individual phone numbers to households. Prior to that, party lines, or phones that multiple people across households and neighborhoods accessed, were the norm.
The Nitty Gritty on Detroit as a City
Detroit has seen its fair share of hard times. Corruption and financial and governmental crises placed residents and workers in tough positions, and numerous neighborhoods have struggled to keep schools, libraries, and other municipal amenities afloat. However, Detroit has a strong heart and soul, and many neighborhoods are making a comeback.
Corktown, for example, is the oldest neighborhood in Detroit. With Irish roots, it offers an historical backdrop for perusing bars and restaurants.
Hamtramck, which is actually a city within the city of Detroit, boasts Polish roots and Detroit’s most diverse population. Its music scene sets the tone for dining and activities from a range of cultures.
And Downtown Detroit has enjoyed the majority of investment over the years. Another historical zone of the city, downtown brims with the arts, architecture, music, sports, and other types of culture.
Across these and other neighborhoods in Detroit, urban renewal efforts have breathed life into streets. Public art, community gardens, and resident-driven enterprise and development have carved new shapes into the city.
At the same time, state-funded restoration projects have returned historic buildings to their original beauty, and many of Detroit’s original and long-term residents have poured their hearts into community service and celebration. The result is a city that is growing and learning how to uniquely thrive.
Fun Fact
Detroit is home to the only floating post office in the U.S. The J.W. Wescott II vessel started as a maritime reporting agency on the Detroit River. Now it’s a full-fledged post office.
Good Eats and Things to Do
The municipality of Detroit has nearly 673,000 residents, making it the 23rd-most populous city in the United States. Metro-Detroit, including the municipality and beyond, has a population of 4.3 million people. Behind Chicago, the Detroit metropolitan area is the second-most populated in the Midwest.
So what do all these Detroiters do in their spare time?
For one, they eat! Detroiters’ tastes are wide and diverse, and out-to-eat food options range from Vietnamese to Lebanese to Jamaican to American. Restaurants popularly serve up soul food, fresh-water fish, and vegan cuisine. There are even some Top Chef restaurants situated in the city. Add to these great food options bountiful breweries, pubs, and bars, and you’ve got plenty of opportunities to keep yourself well fed and watered.
Speaking of Staying Well-Watered
Detroit is home to Vernors Ginger Ale, which was created by accident. James Vernor, a Detroit pharmacist, crafted a new drink that he had to put on hold to serve in the Civil War. He stored his drink in an oak cask that unexpectedly transformed his drink into what we now call ginger ale. What a tasty mistake!
The Eastern Market neighborhood boasts beautiful murals (as well as the Eastern Market, an indoor/outdoor market for finding anything from fruits to fish to flowers); the Motown Museum invites visitors into Detroit’s soulful musical history; the Detroit Opera House and Fox Theatre entertain in energized venues; Belle Isle offers opportunities for indoor picnicking and outdoor hiking, biking, and playing; and historical buildings such as the Guardian building add unique design to Detroit.
In addition to enjoying places like these, Detroiters might head to the lake or cross the border into Canada to visit another country for a day.
Keep in Mind
No matter what you study, you might want to fuel your school days with “pop” (Detroiters don’t drink, “soda”) and Detroit-style pizza, which is a deep-dish pizza with a thick, crispy crust (a beautiful blend of New York and Chicago styles!).
Chillin’ in Detroit
No, really! It’s cold there. The Great Lakes give the city a boost of humidity, and its northern location invites a plethora of 23-degree days (and that’s an average high in the winter). Thankfully, summers bring in warmer weather, with an average temperature of 74 degrees in July. However, summer temperatures can also soar to the 90s and even 100s, so perhaps enjoy the cold when you can.
And speaking of chillin’ in Detroit, you may find graduate programs that meet year-round, enabling you to spend two to six years chillin’ in the city before moving elsewhere (unless, of course, you opt to stay!). This means enjoying multiple freeze-thaw cycles and seeing the best that Michigan seasons have to offer.
Readers Unite!
Detroit is home to John K. King Used and Rare Books. This four-story spot is so heartily filled with books that visitors need a map just to find their intended genre.
Find Graduate Schools in Michigan
Michigan colleges offer graduate programs at the master’s and doctorate degree levels. Whether you want to study in Detroit or a nearby city, you’ll find plenty of options across disciplines, especially in business, health, and the social sciences. Degree programs in these areas and others can help you advance your education and enhance your career.
