Brain Drain Solutions Part 3: Provide Value

 Okay, I get it!  Brain drain is such a derogatory phrase. It hurts our feelings; it insinuates that those of us who are staying don't have a brain. What else do you call it when pools of your best-educated minds leave their contained space for a large cesspool?  Some other suggestions: heart dart, hand scram or a worker diaspora. Call it whatever you want, but in order to deal with the problem we have to address it; not cover it up, deny it, or runaway from it. Research shows that young people are leaving Iowa and the Midwest because No. 1, they can't find a job in their related field, or No. 2, the job doesn't pay enough.

Most would assume pay matters because this is a selfish materialistic generation. Those who believe that haven’t studied this generation.  A collective goal orientated generation such as the millennials aren’t looking to run in the rat race, what they are looking for is value. Oftentimes value is manifested by what we make. The young professional has a sense that if I have X skill set its exchange value should be Y. 

"Tell us something we don’t know.” Sure everyone wants more money, however, are we looking at why more money is desired?  Possibly for some businesses, the abilities to pay lower salaries and wages is what attracts them to locate in Iowa in the first place. For the young professional, more money is wanted because there is a higher debt load, a realization of a cost of living fallacy and a greater sense of expectancy. More is being asked of today’s worker than ever before, so if that’s the case either pay me what I feel I’m valued or I go elsewhere.

For those of us that have stayed in or relocated to Iowa, we have seen the value elsewhere. One of Iowa’s chief commodities is its people. If you ask many non-natives why we chose to stay here, usually it was because of someone we met. Consider the number of foreigners who are here because of marriage, sorority, or extended family. Bingo! you have the very piece of value that trumps money: meaningful relationships. The reason mentoring, internships and apprenticeships work so well is that they create an opportunity to build relationships.

The more a business can create an environment where the worker feels that he or she belongs and contributes to a greater cause, the more likely the he or she will stay. The more a worker’s contribution is seen as essential and valued as such, the worker will stay. When worker’s skill set X is exchanged for value Y, the workers will come. If Y is not money, then what is Y?  What are businesses doing to create meaningful professional relationships?

Quality of life improvements are only important in so much as they help build relationships; they are not end pieces, but rather tools. People don’t move in droves to LA, Denver, Atlanta, or New York because of their natural geological features. They move because they believe there are opportunities that will lead to relationships. Iowa is doing its part and it's starting to pay some dividends.  Our national press has increased, Iowa cities are popping up on rankings after rankings, Iowa is becoming quite a regional film Mecca. Now business must just follow suit... A daunting task made easier when young professionals do their part to solve the brain drain issue…