stereotypical single woman

I knew it was coming. In fact I’ve been checking every day to see if they had reached a decision yet. While waiting I had tried to prepare myself for how bad it was going to be. But all the emotional preparation did absolutely no good because it still feels like I just got a sucker punch from none other than the state of Michigan.

I know the state is going through some tough economic times right now; however eliminating aid to universities so that they not only have to make program cuts but also raise tuition signifigantly is not the way to attract and keep young educated professionals in this state. It just makes us want to get the hell out as soon as we can. It makes you wonder if our elected officials have even realized that there is a direct correlation between the state’s support of higher education and the amount of of college educated people in their 20’s and 30’s choosing to live here. Michigan has one of the most respected and most expensive state schools in country (University of Michigan) which has a waiting list years long. However recent surveys done at the largest universities (Uof M, MSU, & Wayne State) show that as many as 70% of all students plan on leaving the state after graduation.

Like a few others, I wanted to stay. I wanted to make a life here. In fact that was the point of going back to school - to get another degree that would allow me to better support myself in West Michigan because unfortunately a MFA just doesn’t mean anything here (I have to have a second job cleaning toilet’s for God’s sake just to be able to pay my bills.) Last year I turned down jobs in Cincinnati and Tulsa to stay here in this community with my family. But now I’m not so sure staying here really is the best option. I realize that I should fight, that I should stick it out, but dammit I’ve tried for almost three years to make a life here. I want to use my education and there’s nothing here for me (that pays) and unfortunately I need a job that will pay well enough to pay my student loans. The flight of the young and educated is just be one of the reasons why Michigan is in the position it currently is, and the state government needs to do more than develop “cool cities” to help retain us. And they could possibly start by not forcing universities to raise tuition by almost $1200 a semester (which will require us to take out even more student loans, which will require we find higher paying jobs, of which Michigan just doesn’t have many right now, so we won’t have much of a choice but to leave)

If you need me anytime soon I’ll be over in the corner, in the fetal position, calculator in hand, working out over and over again how much this is going to cost me, and flinching in pain every time I hit the “=” button.