Relativity

In my last post, I expounded on how Michigan can best utilize its natural assets to attract and retain young talent. The assumption made was that the state's parks and recreation potential can somehow equate to college graduate retention. It is a lofty assumption indeed and one worth exploring.

It is commonly accepted now that a person's life is separated into more chapters than it was 30 years ago. There now exists a portion coined the "odyssey years," during which an individual typically in their 20's and recently graduated, travels frequently, takes on many jobs, remains financially unstable, and expands their social network. This new societal norm presents a state like Michigan, which can use every young brain it can get, with a bit of a problem. The majority of all students educated at our 191 colleges are people who have grown up in Michigan. Their odyssey will likely not take place here and will instead lead them to other countries and states that offer total immersion into a novel environment. My experiences in Tahoe proved this point time and time again. I met more people from the Midwest and East coast than people who had grown up in the Tahoe basin. It was as if nobody who was born and raised around Lake Tahoe continued to lived there. How can this be? How could anyone grow up with amazing natural features and boundless public lands in their back yard and leave? The answer is simple; they are no different than me. They have left their home despite it's natural assets to explore new territory and experience new things. 

What does this mean for Michigan? The answer to this is also simple; focus more attention on attracting rather than retaining, and build a robust economy to support returnees. We need to put Michigan on the radar of more college graduates from around the country who are looking for a place to fulfill their explorative urges. These people can supplement the loss of Michigan's own and fill a crucial role of contributing to the state's economy. A thriving economy will make it easier and more appealing for a Michigander who has been spending time elsewhere to return and transition into the next phase of life, "adulthood."

There are certainly things that Michigan can be doing better to make it more attractive to it's own college graduates, however a simple reality must be recognized. It doesn't matter how sweet the surroundings and opportunities of home are, people rome freely and there recreational pre-requisites will be met elsewhere.