Studies show that New England is growing at a much slower pace than the rest of the country. From 2000-2006 New England's total population grew by 2.5 percent, compared with the national average of 6.6 percent. New Hampshire saw the most growth among the New England states, with 6.4 percent. As of 2006, our state's population was 1,314,895. But how many of those are retired vs. young adults? The University of New Hampshire's Carsey Institute recently completed a study noting changes in each state's population, especially in the 25-34 age bracket. Their findings show that while southern New England has seen a decline of young people, ages 25-34, northern New England (Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont) have all seen small increases in this age group since 2004. In 2006, New Hampshire claimed 154,711 young adults in this age bracket as residents. All of the New England states, however, with the exception of Massachusetts, still rank in the bottom 10 as compared to the rest of the country's population of young people.
So what does this mean for New Hampshire? While we have seen a slight increase in young people in the past three years (-6.9% from 2000-2004, but +3.9% from 2004-2006), many young intelligent folks are still leaving the state upon graduating college. This phenomenon is otherwise known as "brain drain" and it is causing problems for employers throughout the state.
There are varied reasons why graduates do not stay in New Hampshire after college. Challenges after college include finding a job that pays enough to help with debt accrued from educational loans, finding affordable housing, the cost of health care, and being in an area that offers networking and social opportunities. There is an assumption that you must go away from NH to find jobs that will pay a salary high enough to address these challenges. Young people may also believe that they will not be able to advance in their career here. This is not always true but advancing does take effort.
What can the people of New Hampshire do to ensure the quality of its future? New Hampshire citizens, especially employers and state, city, and town officials, can help counteract the "brain drain" problem in many ways. Factors like competetive salaries, healthcare benefits, and affordable housing are just a sampling of the essentials that young people are looking for today. New Hampshire's institutions of higher education are already making efforts to increase our younger demographic.
New Hampshire Community College-Berlin offers Associate Degree, Certificate, and training programs in accordance with the needs of the surrounding communities. Many of our programs offer internships, affiliations or co-operative education experiences that connect our students with local businesses. The connection is crucial. Many of these experiences lead to offers of full time positions within the community. And as you already know, earning a degree locally can save students thousands of dollars each in tuition and room and board. Two full years at the Community College in Berlin will average about $11,500*. Two years at a four year in-state college or university will average approximately $22,500* (*figures include tuition and fees. They do not include room and board). This could result in lower college debt to pay, and thus, enable graduates to put their college degree to work locally. This is just one way that NHCC-Berlin is addressing the "brain drain" issue.
The University System of NH is also making efforts to increase the number of graduates that stay in state after college. With a program called the "55 Percent Initiative," USNH is sending out surveys to senior students from all public and private four-year institutions in New Hampshire, as well as alumni from the last five years, to get a sense of why students are leaving. With the results, USNH is planning on implementing a branding-like marketing effort aimed at future graduates to help break down the misconception that New Hampshire doesn't have enough opportunities for young people. The goal is to increase the current 5-percent of college graduates that stay in NH to 55-percent.
The Carsey Institute findings indicate signs of a reversal of "brain drain" in New Hampshire. This is good news. Younger people tend to be more educated and stronger with technology. This is an important factor for New Hampshire's employers and for a strong, growing economy in general. Institutions of higher education, including NHCC-Berlin, are taking steps to increase New Hampshire's overall growth.
What can you do to help? Work with and talk with students about opportunities! Help them understand what entrepreneurship is. Having your own business takes some planning but it is the future of the North Country. We need our young people to see successful businesses and understand they have a chance to succeed and live in the place they have passion for. For more information on NHCC-Berlin's programs of study, visit here. To see the Carsey Institute study, visit www.carseyinstitute.unh.edu/documents/NHYoungAdults.pdf.
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