Brain Drain vs. Brain Remain
Keeping Our Local Talent Right Here in NEO

"I can't wait to get out of here," the all too familiar rally cry for undergraduates clawing at those last elusive credit hours. But after they get out of here what comes next? The popularized and well-documented "Brain Drain" concludes that all area talent scatters across the nation. So that must mean that upon graduation, all of Cleveland's sons and daughters exit Ohio almost immediately after their graduate's handshake.

Because nobody works downtown or the surrounding suburbs. In fact most buildings contain mirage-type businesses, with cardboard cutouts of people wedged between their window and workspace; the electric bill becomes a problem as the lights are kept on for "looks sake" or specifically for nationally-televised sporting events. The Starbucks on every corner aren't filled with young professionals overpaying for morning lattes, these people dress up for no reason at all and think Starbucks has a 9AM dress code... right?

Enough.

Amidst the negativity there are those who feel it's their duty to disprove the effects of area Brain Drain, college students and recent graduates who feel Cleveland has opportunity, resources and entertainment.

Katie Dunlap, a post-baccalaureate student at Cleveland State University (CSU), a previously-certified teacher working in childcare and living in Chicago, now plans a career as a physician’s assistant.

Dunlap considers her CSU education top notch.

"I take Neuroscience and Human Gross Anatomy. Anatomy is awesome we're dissecting human cadavers and learning everything about how the body works," said Dunlap. “My Anatomy teacher is awesome, we have great TAs [teacher's assistants]," she said.

Her connections she's developing at CSU are proving invaluable. "It's a real diverse group of people," she said. "We all hangout and study. It's a really close-knit group, I feel like you know everybody even though the classes are huge," she adds.

Dunlap looks forward to beginning a career in Cleveland.

"Since I'm going into healthcare, the Cleveland Clinic [is a great place to begin a career], and all the expansions being made downtown – the Cleveland Clinic is all over," said Dunlap. "That's where Cleveland is going. The Corridor is all for the hospitals. You take the rapid, ride the Corridor, and you're right there, it's easy to get to," she said.

With family, friends and a full class load to consider, Dunlap still finds time for an active social life.

"There are fun areas like Lakewood and Tremont. We have good museums like the science center," she said.

Not only is Cleveland home to several museums and fine restaurants Dunlap added, but,

"We usually have good plays and standup comedy," she said. "I enjoy the Metroparks, and I spend a lot of time on the soccer field -- but I live in the lab does that count?" she quips.

As a dedicated young talent residing in Cleveland, Dunlap feels it's an obligation to stay and help develop Cleveland.

"We need to build up downtown and bring in new restaurants, apartments, and other stores, and develop the lakefront," she said.

Graduate Students
According to the Institutional Research & Analysis Department at CSU in Fall 2007 5,199 students chose to pursue Graduate Studies, Masters, or Law programs (with a tentative 75-student spike in enrollment for Fall 2008, barring nobody drops their programs or neglects bill payments).

Native Clevelander, and current CSU graduate student, Elena Tomorowitz, spent 13 years in area private schools, recently graduated from Case Western Reserve University (CWRU), had exclusive plans of staying in Cleveland even before college.

"I would apply to Case and if I didn't get in I'd go to Cleveland State," she said. "I had an interest in art, and that was about what I knew. I basically picked a major out of a list, and that was Art Education. I didn't want to do Art History, my only option was Art Ed[ucation]," said Tomorowitz.

Eventually she changed her major and pursued English. Currently, Tomorowitz is a graduate student at CSU and looks to receive her MFA in Creative Writing.

"It's different from undergrad, because people are generally more serious. The professors are a lot more interactive on a personal basis if you choose to go that extra step," said Tomorowitz. "I'm focused on my career path, and you find out more people are interested in writing, more than I knew prior to grad school, I already found a network of people at CSU," she said.

Tomorowitz enjoys Cleveland's atmosphere.

"There's a lot keeping me here -- it's like Cleveland is a vortex,” she said. "I think there are a lot interesting pockets in Cleveland, there's a lot to do on any given evening... if you look for it. People are more enthusiastic about the music scene; I still go see some local bands. I'm attached to the Waterloo area. Mostly, it's people I know in the bands. This guy in my neighborhood is like 40 and in a band. I guess I go for the entertainment,” she said.

Tomorowitz believes the cultural neighborhoods are neglected by far too many Clevelanders.

"I definitely think there are plenty of art institutions that get overlooked. Well, MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art). And The Cleveland Museum of Art is one of the greatest in the country. There's like a bunch of little galleries that are somehow surviving -- the cultural districts are very unified,” she said.

Tomorowitz sees the region as fresh start for young people, or for families to raise children.

"We have neighborhoods with a great community feel to them. It is cheaper to stay in Cleveland, housing is really affordable," she said. "We have the great lakes -- I like the weather!” she laughs.

"Also, I think the city is still new and growing [depending on attitude]. I mean you can adapt and live in the city. There's a place for everyone depending on your interests. Everything is so close to each other, I can still go from the East side to the West side in 15 minutes," she said.

Unless continuing education prohibits her from leaving the area, Tomorowitz is excited at the prospect of living her life here.

"I plan on coming back even if I leave. [Currently] I'll still be in school, hopefully working on getting published. Possibly getting in a teaching assistantship, taking full-time classes and maybe eventually moving to Ohio City," said Tomorowitz.

Kids Come Back
Since area Brain Drain is geared towards local college students, nobody tends to mention graduates who come back to Cleveland from out-of-state colleges.

Carol Carney, a recent graduate of Pensacola Christian College in Florida, has come back to work as a nurse at Cleveland Clinic's Main Campus.

"I wake up at 5:05AM, prep my breakfast -- which I eat in the car -- get there at 6:45AM, put on my nurse gear, and stuff my pockets with alcohol swabs," said Carney. "I've always wanted to work in the medical field. I looked around me and thought, 'I can't believe this is my life,'" she said.

Carney sees firsthand evidence of Cleveland's successful educational system.

"We have tons of colleges, even just seeing students come into the Clinic," she said.

Before choosing Cleveland, Carney did briefly consider other options.

"I thought about going elsewhere but I never felt peaceful about it. I felt like I had to come home for a couple years," she said. "The hospitals here are huge, and they're teaching hospitals. There are a lot of choices in hospitals. Even though it would’ve been easier to go to a smaller hospital and not deal with what I do, but I’m learning more here," she said.

"The Cleveland Clinic is in the top 10 and has been number 1. If I start there I can go anywhere," she said.

Since spending the last four years in Florida, Carney has learned more about Cleveland than ever before and enjoying several extracurricular activities.

"I love my church, I hang out with different church families -- it's like my [own] family," said Carney. "There's a lot to do. In high school I felt like you could only go bowling or to a movie. I'm learning more about Cleveland. Recently I realized there's a difference between Tremont and downtown," she said. I go out to eat with my friends, you'd be amazed at how many different restaurants there are," she added.

"I love to shop at Steelyard Commons and Banyan Tree, and go to a lot of movies and plays," said Carney.

Though Carney is seemingly discovering Cleveland all over again, her experiences are all but insincere.

"In Florida I missed my favorite season -- fall. I like how downtown looks when I'm driving to work," she said.

At The Cleveland Clinic, Carney has developed her own personal attachments.

"I feel a good day at work is when I form a good relationship with my patients. No matter what you have to do -- it makes them know someone cares. That's what keeps me doing it," she said.

Contrary to popular belief, Cleveland's best and brightest may choose to stay in Cleveland, and not just stay, but enjoy Cleveland's many amenities.

All that said, the brains sometimes remain.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Wesam Elrabadi elrabadiATmsn.com
(:divend:)