We have all heard the cries of “As soon as I graduate, I’m getting out of Michigan!” That view, though, is what’s keeping the state from truly beginning to propel itself forward.
The mentality of an inability to succeed in Michigan is a self-fulfilling prophecy. When students feel they can’t flourish in Michigan, they don’t look for opportunities to stay. When recent graduates and young professionals leave as quickly as possible, the state will continue to move forward at an extremely slow pace.
And unfortunately, as the state inches forward, students feel they can’t make it in Michigan.
It’s a vicious cycle. A turnaround, though, could be simple to execute.
If more young professionals stay in Michigan, they can boost the speed at which the state will recover, making the state a more attractive place for growth and innovation.
That can start another cycle — one less vicious and more prosperous.
Michigan has plenty to give young minds: a rich history of hard work paying off and housing that’s both plentiful and inexpensive. It also offers the feeling that this is fertile ground for the next big idea to come along and revolutionize the state.
That idea has to come from somewhere, and more likely than not, it will come from the mind of a young person.
Leaving now will cause students to miss out on being at the forefront of Michigan’s revival. It might take awhile, but this state will be successful again, and students should want to be on that train instead of watching it leave the station. If you were born and raised in Michigan, think of the personal pride you would get from staying and contributing to this state’s turnaround.
Also, the state isn’t attracting young professionals from Ohio, Illinois or California. The same stigma that leads Michigan students to leave keeps other potential bright minds out. To let that stigma get state students to flee, too, will cause no one to be left.
If no young professionals with fresh innovations are around, there will be no new ideas for the state to build on.
Without ideas, the state will continue to progress slowly.
It’s true that right now the state isn’t doing that well. There are, however, people working day and night to change that fact. MSU students, whether they’re set to graduate or still in their first month of college, should start looking at staying in Michigan to do the same.
Students shouldn’t immediately dismiss the prospect of staying in Michigan.
There’s no better way for a state to reinvent itself than through the ideas and innovations of its people.
If you’re born, raised and educated in Michigan, consider staying to help Michigan become a place worthy of future generations.
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