Inside College Students' Heads

Michigan futurist Lou Glazer is at it again with new insights on today’s young professionals.

Lou worked with Michigan’s universities to interview thousands of recent grads about their futures and where they planned to locate.

Key findings:

  • Half of the grads who left Michigan after graduation went to one of six states, in this order: Illinois (18 percent), California (11 percent), New York (8 percent), Ohio (5 percent), Texas (5 percent), and Wisconsin (4 percent).
  • More than half of the grads decided where they wanted to live and then looked for a job.
  • Yet, when asked what they wanted in their new homes, grads cited three things on which Michigan is relatively competitive — affordability, work drive time, and nearness to stores, entertainment and restaurants.
  • This entry was posted in Fresh Thoughts, Quality of Place, The Center at Work. Bookmark the permalink. Trackbacks are closed, but you can post a comment.

    3 Comments

    1. Posted October 6, 2008 at 11:07 am | Permalink

      I, of course, agree that we must create an environment in which our young, talented people want to stay. However, as you conduct surveys, please don’t overlook the perspectives of community college graduates. The number of students now attending community colleges approaches 50% of all postsecondary education, nationwide. This population is probably more inclined to stay near their local communities. Let’s ask them what they need and want.

    2. janet mendler
      Posted October 6, 2008 at 6:00 pm | Permalink

      It might be illuminating if Mr. Glazer can re-survey this cohort in 10 years to learn where they are. The lure of Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City and other metropolitan areas is exciting for new unencumbered college grads, but do they chose to stay once they move into the next phase of their life, i.e., when they establish permanent relationships and start families?

    3. Posted October 7, 2008 at 1:03 pm | Permalink

      Participated in a “Conversation” last week in Big Rapids and found the rationale/concept behind the Michigan’s Defining Moment initiative refreshing and reminiscent of the regional listening sessions former Gov. William Milliken held in the 1970-80s. It is something that has been missing from state government for close to 30 years…and it’s about time that citizens of Michigan are involved in setting agendas for a better future for our state.

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