„So many college students want to stay there after graduation because there’s so many activities consistently going on, such as live music,“ the 21-year-old said.
She thinks Ohio would have greater success retaining college graduates if there were more activities going on that appealed to the 20-something crowd.
Cataloni plans to attend graduate school in a different state, but she feels incentives like scholarships would help persuade students to stay in Ohio long term. Several of her friends who live in Pennsylvania accepted college scholarships that require them to work in certain parts of the state after they graduate, she said.
Not only do these types of scholarships keep students in the area, but they also help them get settled into their jobs without the stress of student loans.
„(It’s) super beneficial for starting a career because you’re not going to be at the top pay bracket starting a career,“ Cataloni said.
Santino Diaz-Palma thinks Ohio colleges and universities should emphasize local opportunities for career growth and development to students before they graduate.
The 21-year-old Youngstown native, who is majoring in biochemistry and Spanish at the University of Mount Union, believes some leave the state for work because they don’t realize what options are available in the area.
„I think ultimately the biggest thing is revealing the opportunities that are here in Ohio,“ Diaz-Palma said. „I think a lot of individuals, typically from areas that may not have access or proximity to universities won’t see there’s a potential for a career here.“
