De’Arbreya Lee
Staff Writer
As many graduating seniors begin their preparations for the real world, deciding where to live is one of the most important issues they will face. What factors determine if college graduates will make that big move or stay close to home?
LaShanda Jordan, Director of Jackson State University’s Career Services Center, explains some of these factors.
“Look at the cost of living. That’s going to be a huge factor…and potential income,” said Jordan. ““Your larger cities like Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Memphis, are areas in which our students consider.”
She explains that although many students journey north, west and east, there are also students that stay within the southern regions for great job opportunities and complimentary living.
“It’s still a lot cheaper to live in the south than it is to live in some of your bigger cities,” said Jordan. “Even places like Dallas and Atlanta, the cost of living is definitely more than Mississippi, but it’s not as much as Chicago or New York.
Growth potential within the company and industry stability are also factors that should be considered according to Jordan.
Ultimately, she suggests that the final question students should consider is, Is the location someplace you can see yourself living and making a living at for the next five to ten years?
We asked few graduating seniors where they plan to move to pursue their various degrees and why.
Candace Wilder, a senior English major from Jackson Miss., said that she plans to relocate to Memphis, Tenn., with her children for a better job.
“There’s not a lot of jobs here…there’s no place for young, black people to make a better life for themselves,” said Wilder.
After locating to Memphis after graduation, Wilder plans on joining the program Teach Memphis City Schools, but wouldn’t consider coming back to Jackson, Miss., unless in retirement.
Brittney Cleark, a senior English major from Jackson, Miss., said that she is considering northern and western cities like Chicago and San Francisco to relocate to within the next five years.
“I really want to go out north or out west because in the south, the art scene is not growing,” said Cleark.
Cleark who wants to pursue a career in creative writing, feels that the art movements within these two cities strongly cater to what she needs to grow as an artist in her field.
“A lot of my friends have moved from Dallas to Chicago within the last five years because it’s easier for them to promote themselves out there because people are a bit more culturally diverse,” said Cleark.
Despite her plans to leave the south, Cleark does not plan on residing in either of these two areas forever.
“I would go there for the ‘right now’ opportunity, but I wouldn’t stay there. My plan is to come back to Mississippi…to go out, get the stuff that I need and help Mississippi grow artistically,” said Cleark.
Before hopping on a bus, train or plane to your destination, make a list, and check it twice to be sure your desired job location is truly the right move.
