After graduation, Josh Ruedisueli wasn’t real excited about moving 10 hours away from his Brandon Township home.
‘I’m ready for the challenge of college but not for the challenge of leaving all my friends that I love,? wrote Ruedisueli in his letter to The Citizen after finishing in the top 10 of the 2002 Brandon Graduates.
Ruedisueli attended Michigan Technological University in Houghton after high school. Last December he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering.
Ruedisueli’s quest to live near his Brandon area home was dashed again after college.
‘Josh attended a job fair at Tech last fall and was offered at least six jobs’all out-of-state. None of the Michigan businesses called him back or seemed interested,? said Karleen Ruedisueli, his mother.
‘Finally, Ford Motor Company in Dearborn offered a lower paying job’but that’s it. So he recently moved to Rochester, Minn. and now works for Hitchi. From what Josh says most of his classmates moved out-of-state too. In many areas of the Rochester community it’s even difficult to find an apartment.?
The Citizen recently caught up with a few students like Ruedisueli from the Brandon and Goodrich graduating classes of 2001-2003 regarding their employment following completion of a four-year college degree. While the data collected is inconclusive, the majority of recent local college graduates did not find work in the state, opting to move out of state to find employment or other opportunities.
The results parallel a Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan survey that charted the migration patterns of recent Michigan graduates.
According to the survey, college graduates that choose to accept an out-of-state job do so primarily because of better job opportunities and better salaries ? not a dislike of Michigan. Fifty three percent left because of a ‘better job or better opportunity.? Eleven percent moved out-of-state to be closer to friends and family. Seven percent left to get away from the cold/bad weather and 4 percent cited the lack of social/cultural life. Moreover, nearly half of those choosing to relocate are open to returning to the state.
Goodrich Valedictorian Aimee Chiebnik graduated in 2002 and left the state to attend Colorado State University, where she finished Magna Cum Laude in December 2005 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Resources. She currently works as a naturalist, at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center a not-for-profit Wildlife Park and Educational Facility located in the gateway community of West Yellowstone, Mont.
‘I’m happy wth my decision to leave Michigan and the area,? said Chiebnik. ‘The experiences are great and it’s been fun. I grew up in a small town and I needed to leave to see what’s going on in the world. Truthfully, I’m not moving back to the state. My advice to other graduates, just don’t be afraid to do something unfamiliar’just go for it. I never thought I’d live across the street from Yellowstone National Park. It was difficult at first, but you just adjust and meet new people.?
Conversely, Laura Pence is an exception to the report. A 2002 Brandon High School graduate who finished in the top 10,Pence is currently working as an admissions counselor at Adrian College where she completed a degree in teaching Spanish last year.
‘She’s still looking for a teaching job in the state,? said Mary Pence, her mother. ‘It’s tough out there, but jobs can be found here in the state. We really don’t want her to leave, and she’ll keep looking.?
While some area college graduates have moved out of state for employment, some students continue in post graduate studies to further their eduction in hopes of landing a higher paying job.
Melanie Mayberry completed Goodrich High School in 2001 and attended Eastern Michigan University where she received a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in biology with a double minor in chemistry and anthropology. She is currently in New York, attending graduate school at the University at Albany with a focus on forensic science.
Also from the class of 2001 was Katy Parker, who finished Goodrich High School and attended the University of Michigan where she received a degree in mechanical engineering. She is currently in New York, attending graduate school at Columbia University.
Heather Holleman graduated from Brandon High School in 2001 and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Albion College in 2005. She is currently attending graduate school at Notre Dame, pursuing her doctorate.
Ken Darga, a State of Michigan demographer, says the loss of students to other states is reflected in other data collected regarding population and ages, not just employment opportunities.
‘Migration is highest for young adults in the 20 year-old range. Many of those that do leave Michigan are going to either college or the military,? said Darga.
‘People see a high unemployment rate and assume there must be a population loss to match it,? said Darga. ‘It’s just not the case. Michigan has one of the lowest rates of out-migration and one of the lowest rates of in-migration in all the 50 states. People born here tend to stay here.?
Geoffry Misek, son of Richard and Gail, graduated from Goodrich High School in 2003. He went to Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Mellon University to get a bachelor’s degree in electrical science. Richard said his son will pursue a master’s degree and is receiving job offers from across the country’but only one thus far from a Michigan-based company.
Geoffry is also involved in starting an Internet company, which Richard said would afford his son the luxury of deciding where he would like to live.
Christina Via, daughter of Michael and Geralyn Via a 2003 Brandon High School graduate, recently completed her studies at the University of Michigan with a degree in political science and is hoping to get a job in New York, said Michael.
‘That’s where the opportunities are. Going to school in Ann Arbor, she’s very aware of what’s going on with Pfizer (Pharmaceutical Company) and such. Things are a lot rosier in other states,? said Michael.
Laurel VandePutte is also a 2003 graduate of Goodrich High School. However, she attends the University of Detroit Mercy where she is currently studing Civil Engeering.
‘Laurel completed two interships, which included an eight month assigment in Hawaii rebuilding a beach at Waikiki and work with Cook County near Chicago,? said Sherrie VandePutte, her mother.
‘None of the internships were within the state.?
Kelly Seames, a 2003 Goodrich High School graduate, attended Loyola University in Chicago. She is set to graduate with a double major in accounting and finance this December.
‘Kelly just loves it in Chicago where she works for an accounting firm downtown,? said Sharon Seames, her mother. ‘There is so much more for kids her age there. We really miss her but the economy is just not here in Michigan. There’s more opportunities for her elsewhere.?
Staff writers Meredith Mayberry and Laurel Droz contributed to this story.