Spring Break
Mich. graduates still struggling to find jobs, 44% are leaving the state
Mike Morland
Issue date: 2/5/08 Section: News
Catherine Kaas, 22, sits in a conference room of the Renaissance Center in Detroit, waiting for her client to show.
A Dearborn native, Kaas spent the previous four years at Indiana University, receiving her bachelor's degree in accounting.
After graduation last spring, Kaas quickly found a job working for Protiviti, a consulting firm.
It would seem to be a comforting fit for Kaas, who finds herself 20 minutes east of her hometown Dearborn.
As her client enters the room, the conversation starts as it has every Monday morning for the last month. "Good morning Ms. Kaas, how was your early flight in?"
Kaas now finds herself taking weekly flights into Detroit, amongst other cities across North America, from her new home in Chicago, IL.
"I miss my family, friends and a lot of other things," said Kaas.
Unfortunately, Kaas' story is just one of an increasing number, as many college graduates from Michigan continue to flee the state for employment.
According to Michigan Lieutenant Governor John D. Cherry's address on higher education, 44 percent of college graduates, age 22 to 29 will leave the state to seek employment.
Michigan also ranks 45th nationally in attracting out of state graduates to Michigan.
"I'm not surprised," said Tony Bolton, 23, an education major who has spent time at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor and Dearborn.
"I'm going to graduate in four months, and I'm more worried about finding a job in Michigan than I am about tests and exams."
For other Michigan residents, like Josh and Heather Neuenschwander, the challenge of the states' economy was just too much.
Josh, 25 and Heather, 24, both former residents of Dearborn Heights, intended to make things work in Michigan.
"I love Michigan," said Josh Neuenschwander. "I grew up in the state, it's my home."
Josh Neuenschwander, now a student at Vandercook College in Chicago and a church music director, spent three years at Wayne State University perusing a teaching degree in music education.
A Dearborn native, Kaas spent the previous four years at Indiana University, receiving her bachelor's degree in accounting.
After graduation last spring, Kaas quickly found a job working for Protiviti, a consulting firm.
It would seem to be a comforting fit for Kaas, who finds herself 20 minutes east of her hometown Dearborn.
As her client enters the room, the conversation starts as it has every Monday morning for the last month. "Good morning Ms. Kaas, how was your early flight in?"
Kaas now finds herself taking weekly flights into Detroit, amongst other cities across North America, from her new home in Chicago, IL.
"I miss my family, friends and a lot of other things," said Kaas.
Unfortunately, Kaas' story is just one of an increasing number, as many college graduates from Michigan continue to flee the state for employment.
According to Michigan Lieutenant Governor John D. Cherry's address on higher education, 44 percent of college graduates, age 22 to 29 will leave the state to seek employment.
Michigan also ranks 45th nationally in attracting out of state graduates to Michigan.
"I'm not surprised," said Tony Bolton, 23, an education major who has spent time at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor and Dearborn.
"I'm going to graduate in four months, and I'm more worried about finding a job in Michigan than I am about tests and exams."
For other Michigan residents, like Josh and Heather Neuenschwander, the challenge of the states' economy was just too much.
Josh, 25 and Heather, 24, both former residents of Dearborn Heights, intended to make things work in Michigan.
"I love Michigan," said Josh Neuenschwander. "I grew up in the state, it's my home."
Josh Neuenschwander, now a student at Vandercook College in Chicago and a church music director, spent three years at Wayne State University perusing a teaching degree in music education.
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