Nebraska's
Big Brain Drain
Here's a well-researched story from the Platte Institute for
Economic Research on the fact that Nebraska ranks 10th in the nation
in a negative category: the percentage of young, single, college-educated
people who move away from the state.
Usually, it's job-related, but the impact is massive in areas such
as law and engineering, where about half of the graduates take their
well-educated brains and move away. About one-third are moving to bordering
states, including Colorado.
The implications for Nebraska colleges and universities are vast,
since it is their mission to use Nebraska tax dollars to develop future
Nebraska leadership in business, the arts, academia and the professions.
The implications for Nebraska businesses are serious, since our
future workforce is crucial to our future, period. And the implications for K-12
education are vast, since if our smartest graduates are moving away, how can
our future teachers and students be the best that they can be?
As the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's holidays approach,
and families gather, the brain drain ought to be discussed among grandparents,
parents and students interested in keeping the future as bright as possible in
the Cornhusker State.
Kudos to the Nebraska-based think tank, the Platte Institute, for
bringing this issue front and center:
www.platteinstitute.org/publications/graduations-reunions-remind-us-of-nebraskas-brain-drain-issue
