Date of Award
8-2011
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Abstract
Graduates from the North Dakota University System (NDUS) choose either to remain in the state or leave for employment. This research explored factors that attract residents or contribute to the outmigration of NDUS college graduates from the graduates' perspectives. Data were gathered through an online questionnaire and qualitative interviews with the alumni.
Through inquiry of the graduates' opinions and experiences a better understanding of the outmigration factors emerged. Two prominent themes were identified: a perceived lack of professional level jobs affects NDUS graduates' decisions to leave North Dakota and a desire to be closer to family or to raise a family affects NDUS graduates' decisions to return to or to remain in North Dakota
This study provided insights from a small group of NOUS graduates and it allowed the researcher to investigate participants' perspectives about what contributed to the outmigration of college graduates. It is the researcher's desire that these results may provide insights to decision makers who can influence the creation of better opportunities for graduates who want to stay in the state and incentives for those who want to return to the state.
Recommended Citation
Bauer, Nancy J., "The North Dakota Brain Drain: Perceptions about Factors that Contribute to North Dakota's Outmigration of Graduates" (2011). Theses and Dissertations. 6325.
https://commons.und.edu/theses/6325