Recently I began completing my college applications. In doing so, I began to take note of the schools to which my classmates were sending applications.
While most students are applying to the largely acclaimed universities in Michigan, many are applying to smaller universities in Chicago, Ohio, and even places as far away as Georgia. Whether my classmates’ decisions are derived from academic interest, sports influence, or weather, most students claim to be afraid of a future in Michigan.
While high school students are thought to focus primarily on the glamorous life of Lauren Conrad in Los Angeles, or follow Bret Michaels on his path to finding a soul mate, teens are actually thinking about the ongoing problems with Michigan’s economy. Students are quick to take notice of the lack of jobs and tax increases. While the thought of financial futures seem distant, being unable to pay off college loans due to a decrease in job availability turns away many teens.
Besides being able to find jobs in different states with better pay, benefits, and security, many are interested in entertainment. The big cities with bustling streets and ongoing commotion draw students to the fancy night life and constant activity. Others are looking for more liberal environments than what (they perceive) Michigan can provide, such as the art schools of Chicago and New York City.
While students are interested in leaving Michigan for many individual reasons, familiarity is among the most common. I simply cannot begin to explain how many times I’ve overheard the phrase, “I just can’t wait to get out of here.” But the issue of familiarity also brings some perspective to why some students stay in Michigan. Personally, I find comfort in knowing the campus I’ve grown up next to. While many like the adventure of a new city and new faces, just as many are willing to live the life they know.
For as many students that are eager to leave, there are just as many who are willing to stay. Not everyone who stays in Michigan lives a life of unstable financial means, and many students are aware of this. Michigan has access to many exceptional colleges and universities. In fact,this alone draws thousands to the state every year. Of those who remain in Michigan, there truly are students interested in spending their lives dedicated to making a difference in Michigan.
Many students are simply unaware of the opportunities that Michigan has to offer. Companies in fields like IT and biotechnology provide plenty of jobs to Michigan residents, and will have plenty to offer in the future. Most students are not informed of job opportunities such as these. Personally, I was completely unaware of the prospect for jobs in these companies.
To keep students in Michigan and interested in these jobs, employers need to start “reaching out” to students as young as high school to influence their career pathways while they are deciding on colleges to attend. By doing this, many students will not only be inclined to stay in Michigan, but will help stabilize the struggling economy by keeping jobs in the state.