Brain Drain: Is Ohio the Bad Guy?

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A recent article from Crain’s Cleveland Business illustrates how the media is painting the State of Ohio as the "bad guys."

I personally disagree with this article – as a researcher, I would like to know: are they leaving before they get their education at an Ohio school or after? I would argue that they are leaving after they receive their education in the state, so combining disciplines at Kent State and University of Akron etc. isn’t going to keep them here after graduation.

I believe that the reason that the best and the brightest are leaving this area is because of the opportunities that employers outside of Ohio are able to offer to recent college graduates. We are risk-averse in Northeast Ohio. A recent college graduate is unproven. They come cheaper than the road-weary, seasoned professional, but the employer must invest their valuable time in training, development and skill enhancement to get the new grad to a place where a seasoned professional could be on day one. We need to open the door for more college internships and give the students the experience they need to be a productive members of the marketing community.

I had a student say to me recently “I thought I had to leave the area to obtain a marketing position.” I am not saying that students don’t need to make their own opportunities, but we also need to step up the opportunities here in Northeast Ohio to give them the experience to succeed.

Comments

[Chris Brown]

Branding Ohio as a marketing hot spot will only do so much. We've got to prepare some ongoing programs of mentors and proteges to actually move it forward.

I did a post at the beginning of the month about the brain drain in Ohio...

http://brandandmarket.blogspot.com/2007/03/state-marketing-vs-regional-marketing.html

Chris Brown
Branding and Marketing

[ken]

Why should Ohio's top students pay premium prices to attend a state school,when for the same price they can go out of state to either an excellent public or private college? Unless, we find a way to lower tuition at Ohio's state universities, the brrain drain begins after the last dance on prom night. Turn off the lights the party is over. Ken

[Julie]

I found it very difficult to find a position in Northeast Ohio where I would be considered without 2+ years of direct hands-on experience in the field. While I have had three separate internships, none of them were considered "experience" by many companies that viewed my resume. This was very discouraging. Interesting Post.