The Wyoming Brain Drain - Tackling a perennial problem

by Wyoming Liberty Group

How's this for a sobering Wyoming fact? Over 60 percent of people born in the Cowboy State will leave Wyoming by the time they reach their 30s—and the majority will not return. That, incidentally, is the highest percentage of any state in the nation, according to a U.S. Census survey.

Here's another related whopper to consider: Over two-thirds of students from the University of Wyoming—one of our state's pride and joy—indicate that the chances that they will have a future in our state amounts to little more than either a "maybe" or a "no."

Yikes.

We've all heard about what's been called Wyoming's brain drain. But this is serious business, and we should all care about this nonstop exodus, if we want our state to have a vibrant future. Everyone should care—families, consumers, local businesses, statewide industry.

This is about our future, and who will lead the way in the next generation? We're all impacted.

The Wyoming Business Council, led by its chief executive officer Josh Dorrell, began to tackle the intransigent issue in a recent talk with students from the University of Wyoming about their plans after graduating from college.

One thing is utterly clear: The brain drain has a direct impact on our workforce—or lack thereof. We need, of course, enough of a trained, qualified workforce to sustain business; otherwise, the inevitable will happen—a shrinkage in business, or worse, businesses going out of business.

What's driving the brain drain in Wyoming? Well, let's start with the obvious; some point to low wages. Others cite a dearth of affordable housing. Yet others blame it on a lack of healthcare.

But, as it turns out, there is more at play driving the brain drain, at least according to a survey and panel discussion that the Wyoming Business Council arranged with students at the University of Wyoming.

"It's really easy to kick the brain drain problem down the road for another 10 years," Dorrell said during the recent panel discussion. "But I think what we're saying is that we don't want to kick it down the road. We want to put things in place to experiment with, 'How do we stop this?'"

What did the panel discussion—and survey—yield? The college students said that the top reason that drives their decision about where to live after they graduate is job opportunities. This, it seems, is self-evident—or should be.

But perhaps less obvious are other reasons driving the decision-making process of young people who are weighing the pros and cons of a life in Wyoming: whether they are able to live close to their families. And whether there are places where people can spend time and meet other people.

Seems reasonable enough—and can't we do something about this? To create places that foster community? Like the local coffee shop in downtown Cheyenne. We would have home-field advantage, if we can foster job opportunities that are close to home—to family, all other things being equal.

As it turns out, the next generation is seeking what we all really want: a happy life. A way to support themselves—and their families. A place to live in community with others.

Take a look at the hard facts: Of the 266 students who completed the surveys, a full third said they plan to leave Wyoming because there are better job opportunities elsewhere. Nearly a quarter—23 percent—indicated that they would have to leave Wyoming because of the cost of living here. And 13 percent said they would have to leave Wyoming because of the quality of life.

Let's face it, quality of life should be one of our strengths to keep our young minds. Wyoming already has the built-in advantages of our great wild natural beauty. So many from other states flock here for that very reason. To live the western life, in the mountains, in the plains, among the birds and the ranches and the cattle and horses and all of the other magnificent animals that distinguish us from those urban dwellings far from us.

The Business Council has begun to target some important areas—namely housing and the availability of child care, both of which can make a difference in a young person's decisions about whether to stay in Wyoming or go. What's more, another panel discussion is being contemplated at the University of Wyoming. But it won't just be talk. The idea is to bring prospective employers to the campus so that they can give students information about possible jobs right here in our home state.

It's a good start. But let's keep the conversation going. Wyoming—and its future—depends on it.