Expanding our Fields of Opportunities

Gazette reporters recently tracked Cedar Rapids Washington and Iowa City West high school valedictorians of 2000 and found that the majority were pursuing careers in other states. No surprise. Iowa's long-running “brain drain” of our brightest young people continues. Since 2000, Iowa has lost about 4 percent of its young professionals - the fourth-worst loss rate in the nation.

Why does it persist? Because, in a state whose welcome signs promote “Fields of Opportunities,” there still aren't enough opportunities our talented young people want.

According to the Generation Iowa Commission's 2008 survey of young Iowans, opportunity, first and foremost, means a high-paying job in their field of study. Oh, there's mention of other move-away factors - Iowa's winters, no mountain vistas or ocean beaches, not enough “cool factor” in our entertainment/cultural offerings.

But bottom line, our brain drain is largely a symptom of not having enough jobs for people with advanced degrees and training. Many of those Cedar Rapids and Iowa City grads living elsewhere still like their home state. Many would return if professional opportunities and wages competitive with what they've found elsewhere were more available.

Iowa, with more affordable, high-quality colleges, ranks in the top five nationally for attracting out-of-state students. Many of them also say they'd like to stay in Iowa - but can't find the kind of jobs they want.

Iowa leaders have tried to bring our young people back. For example, former Gov. Tom Vilsack held receptions in places such as Chicago, hoping to persuade skilled former Iowans to come back. Gains in amenities and cultural diversity were cited. And job offerings in high tech and high-skilled industries have improved somewhat.

But not enough.

There always will be some of our high school graduates who head to elite universities. That's not a bad thing. They can spread the word about Iowa's overall good quality of life and family-friendly communities. And if they return, they bring back ideas and experiences that can enrich our state. But as two Philadelphia sociologists who studied the Iowa and Midwest rural brain drain told The Gazette, we must “invest more shrewdly in those who are likely to stay.”

Investment in their education, yes. But also invest in such initiatives as BioVentures Center, the University of Iowa business incubator for startup companies commercializing UI research in life science ventures, leading to high-quality jobs. Rural technology infrastructure upgrades that allow more employees to do their jobs from anywhere. Assisting existing companies' innovation and growth to meet fast-changing markets and attract more high-quality employees.

In other words, continually expand our Fields of Opportunities.