<p>I've read many of a topics while I do my homework and I've noticed something odd. It seems like people on these boards think that where you go to college is where you will settle down for the rest of your life.</p>
<p>For example, some topics believe that if you go to UConn you will be in Connecticut forever. I also see such words of advice such as: Go to Indiana if you plan on settling down in the Midwest.</p>
<p>Why do people believe this happens?</p>
<p>Because for the most part it's fairly true. It may not be forever, but you're far more likely to stay close than you are to move half way across the country.</p>
<p>Certainly there is freedom to move about once you graduate, but the fact of the matter is that you're far more likely to interview for jobs that are near by - this is particularly true in fields like education and nursing in which there is always a large local need for professionals and no centralized hub that takes all the jobs to one city (like in IBanking). Plus the connections you've built for four years may tie you to the location. </p>
<p>I don't have any data for college graduates, but I do know that data exists for where new doctors tend to practice in regards to where they completed their residency, a vast majority end up within 100 miles of their training program.</p>
<p>WHen I was in college a lot of kids did their internships near the school, and were then offered jobs within those companies when they graduated, so ended up settling down there. Don't know if that still applies today.</p>
<p>The entire American population is significantly more mobile than a generation ago and trends favor continuing and increased relocation to the Sunbelt and greater job growth in these areas. But many folks like what is familiar and that is why most folks will go to college within 500 miles of where they grew up and why, upon graduation, a large majority of them will return to the general area of their origin. </p>
<p>There is also an employer effect as well. Most employers prefer students who graduated from colleges in their region. They're easy to get to, the employer can usually find plenty of brains locally, and the risk of hiring these students is less because they are already familiar with the local landscape. Furthermore, there are only a handful of colleges with true national recruiting power (HYPSMDu). After this, the local college powers, public and private, would dominate their regions and their numbers in the work world dwarf those of the national elites. </p>
<p>Another factor is the family stability issue. If you are a high school student, then issues of moving across the country may not be that daunting. But when it comes time to get married and raise a family and/or take care of an elderly parent or grandparent, such considerations will commonly squash the search for excitement and the willingness to move to a new city and start out without any kind of family support or strong personal network.</p>
<p>Well, it may just be me saying the same thing over and over again in multiple threads. :-)</p>
<p>Anyway, I think this from personal experience. From my OWN experience, and the experience of many of my friends and family. People make friends in college, fall in love, do internships, etc. etc. They become connected to a particular place. So if they go away to college, they often end up staying near where they went to school. They are recruited by local companies. etc. etc.</p>
<p>Also, if you want to end up working somewhere, it makes sense to go to school there. You can start building connections during school, getting internships, networking, etc. </p>
<p>There is an idea on CC that you should just go to school wherever. Georgia Tech is as good as UIUC. Well, Georgia Tech is in George and UIUC is in Illinois and never the twain shall meet. Seriously. Location matters.</p>
<p>I just find it odd, because I live in Ridgefield, CT. I have had six teachers who went to schools in California. I have three this year that went to Arizona. None I know actually went to UConn. Maybe my school is an exception.</p>
<p>My girlfriend's father did his residency at Washington U in St. Louis and he works out of Danbury, CT. Maybe all of this in my life is just chance. But it seems form my experience people come from all over.</p>
<p>I'm thinking you go to a private school. Many people apply for jobs in the area near their college because it it easy. If you have some other types of skills that are looked for nationally, then you might be picked up on one of the national databases like Monster.</p>
<p>i really dont have much intention of staying in boston after school. i mean unless i get an amazing, uncomparable job here then ill be heading back to jersey. i dont think that if i could get that great of a job in boston that id have much trouble getting a good one in NY (i only live 45 minutes from nyc).</p>
<p>all of my family is within 40 minutes of eachother in jersey, most of my friends went to college in NY/NJ/PA so will most likely be coming back. and my parents will give me a free place to life. so why not take advantage of that for a couple of years. i love boston, but it really cant compare to my home (and ny) for me.</p>