The Recession Is Over — Let The Brain Drain Resume

With all the talk about the recession ending, we should celebrate, right? Not so fast. For those looking to stem brain drain, the end of the national recession is a mixed blessing.

Everyone agrees that a one-state recession is the worst situation for retaining young talent. From the graduates’ perspective, just about anywhere looks better than where you are. But in a national recession, people have less incentive to go out of state for jobs – because there are none.

Michigan’s State Demographer Ken Darga speaks about the recession

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When Michigan had seven percent unemployment and was in a one-state recession, it kept college graduates in state about as well as a sieve holds water. But when unemployment jumped even higher, up to 15 percent, brain drain didn’t get worse. That’s because we had entered a national recession. Michigan’s State Demographer Ken Darga said that the national recession not only kept more recent graduates in state, but it also brought some back home.

So we can celebrate the national recession being over, but it will only be a good thing for brain drain if Michigan’s recession ends with it.

Similar Posts:

• Keeping Out-Of-Staters in Michigan (November 2, 2009)
• Is Michigan a ‘Sticky’ State? (October 29, 2009)
• Midwest v 2.0: New Innovations, Re-energized Workforce, Sustainable Future Event (November 12, 2009)
• Ohio Uses Wrong Tool in Brain Drain Battle (November 3, 2009)
• Grand Valley State Pushes Ahead of Other Universities (December 3, 2009)

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