September 9

Page 1

dn the

dailynebraskan.com

monday, september 9, 2013 volume 113, issue 011

Inside Coverage

Rolfzen leads Huskers in new home

Huskers pick apart Golden Eagles

Volleyball team wins first two at Devaney Center

A week after a close call in its season-opener, Nebraska blew past Southern Miss for the second year in a row behind two first quarter interceptions returned for touchdowns and a balanced offensive attack.

10

9 And the winner is... Multicultural greeks showcase dance moves in Stroll-Off

for greener pastures

3 Tug of war Columnists discuss potential Syria intervention

4 Social sculpting Pottery house fosters community through creation

5 online

Where they’re going Click through a map of young Nebraskans’ new homes

They’re young. They’re educated. And they’re leaving. story by Cristina Woodworth | photos by Morgan Spiehs | graphics by Gabriel Sanchez

I

f someone asked Mark Pleskac whether he missed Nebraska as he swam in the crystal clear waters of Oregon’s Crater Lake a few weekends ago, he probably would have said no. Pleskac, a 2012 University of NebraskaLincoln graduate, would have responded the same way while hiking in Washington’s North Cascades National Park, rock climbing in the cool weather of the Pacific Northwest or just riding his bike around Seattle, where he now lives. “(It’s been) nothing short of fantastic,” Pleskac said about his experiences in and around the Pacific Northwest. “I was not that amazed at how much I like Seattle over Lincoln.” A Lincoln native, Pleskac is among the hundreds of UNL students who are choosing to move beyond the Cornhusker state’s borders after completing their educations, contributing to what some are calling a “brain drain.” The term refers to a loss of young, educated people from an area, usually from more sparsely populated regions to urban centers. This loss of young professionals from a community or state can lead to aging populations and a dwindling workforce. “My main reason for leaving Nebraska was a strong desire to just live

grads leaving: see page 2

‘Brain drain’ takes toll on local economy Colleen Fell DN

@dailyneb facebook.com/ dailynebraskan

somewhere new,” said Pleskac, who is using his computer engineering degree to work for Microsoft. “I wanted a new experience, a new lifestyle and to meet completely new people.” Although Nebraska’s brain drain numbers have improved in recent years, the state still experienced a net outmigration of about 650 people aged 25 or older holding at least a bachelor’s degree from 2009 to 2011, according to the University of Nebraska at Omaha Center for Public Affairs Research. David Drozd, research coordinator at the research center, said the brain drain is an issue monitored closely. “In general, the numbers have improved with the recession as Nebraska has maintained low levels of unemployment and have attracted people from surrounding states looking for jobs,” Drozd said. “We’ve also had fewer people leave the state in recent years because of our unemployment levels.” From 2006 to 2008, Nebraska experienced a net outmigration of 1,470 persons age 25 or older holding at least a bachelor’s degree. From 2008 to 2010, though, the state experienced a net migration of 289 people in this category. The improving numbers lead some to say the brain drain isn’t really that big of a problem here.

Colin Kennedy never planned to whip up his grandma’s signature dishes for casual diners in the Haymarket. The senior English, classics and religious studies major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln thought as recently as last year he’d return to Omaha after graduation or even move west, some place like California. But then the 22-year-old aspiring chef found a rare opportunity. Kennedy, who’d worked in kitchens since he was 15 years old, decided the chance to start a new local business with an old boss was too good to pass up. Kennedy’s experience goes against a recent theory offered by business

owners and economic experts. Nebraska has been experiencing a “brain drain” in recent years, the experts say. Between 2007 and 2011, the state experienced a net loss of of college-educated people. According to census data compiled by the Center for Public Policy at University of Nebraska-Omaha, Nebraska lost about 1,100 people with college degrees in the fouryear span. The year 2010 marked the first time since 1996 that Nebraska saw a net gain of people from other states. U.S. Census Bureau data from 2005 to 2009 shows Nebraska experienced a net loss of college graduates 25 and older to other states. The data shows “moving three-year time frames” in which Nebraska experienced a net gain from 2008 to 2010, but a net loss from 2009 to 2011.

This trend was found to be most prominent among non-Hispanic white people. Between 2000 and 2010, 20,181 more white non-Hispanic people between the ages of 20 and 29 left than any other group. But this trend won’t necessarily cripple Nebraska’s economy, said Eric Thompson, associate professor of economics and director of the Bureau of Business Research at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “The Midwest is becoming more competitive,” Thompson said. “And Omaha is becoming a critical city.” An employee of Bread & Cup in Lincoln, Kennedy said he was approached eight months ago by the restaurant’s owner and asked if he would be interested in helping him open a new restaurant. When the new res-

taurant, called Jack & June’s, opens in early October, Kennedy will serve on the executive team and as the chef de cuisine. Kennedy said he’d have moved were it not for the opportunity. But brain drain isn’t specific to small businesses. The Midwest, Nebraska in particular, is responsible for manufacturing equipment that is sent to various locations. China and India are prominent customers of Nebraska’s manufacturing, Thompson said. He added that, in general, most people in the area will not see dramatic changes in the economy, but population trends will ensure that agriculture remains the economic backbone of Nebraska in 50 years.

economy: see page 2

BY THE NUMBERS Iowa was the No.1 state Nebraskans migrated to from 1989 to 2009. Net immigration is highest among

5 to19year-olds

During the recession, there was net out-migration among

20to29year-olds

&

55to64year-olds. Young people left in search of work, and retirees moved to sunny destinations such as California. From 2000 to 2010, Nebraska's population grew by

6.7%

95.4% of which were minorities Nebraska net-gained

6,000

white people from 2000 to 2010.


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