I would like to share my story with the fine citizens of this community with hopes to open hearts and alter ways of thinking. I also hope to forewarn my peers of the impending doom that may await their self-anticipated return home.

Research and an open eye in the community conclude that young people are leaving this peaceful countryside to begin a sinful courtship with the large cities in the Midwest. Unfortunately this courtship often becomes love and, well, we know what happens next. In case I lost you, the young people don’t come back! Before leaving this community to attend Iowa State to obtain an agriculture degree, I promised myself I would return. After all, any small community could benefit from an extra college-educated young person or two. So, I left the convenience of the city, along with what were seemingly endless job opportunities behind. I dragged my college-educated fiance with me, and convinced him we should buy a house in this wonderful community, which would welcome us with open arms. He agreed. So here we planted our roots. Dear reader, are you yet asking yourself the point of this article? Are you picking up on the frustrated tone? Although this story is completely nonfictional, unfortunately it is not the sugar-coated, Hollywood-edited version that leaves you with the warm-hearted feeling at the end of the final scene. I’ll cut to the chase. First, lets check off the things I knew and agreed within myself before moving “home.” I knew wages would be significantly lower, jobs would be fewer, and I may have to work a less desirable job until one I really want becomes available. Well, business owners, managers, CEOs and fellow citizens, after months of searching, I have yet to find a job.

I have applied for everything from professional positions in neighboring communities, to local bank telling, to an entry-level position at a local human services agency where I have nearly four years of previous work experience. I have six years of experience working with people with disabilities, references which range from previous employers to professors, a fairly impressive ISU GPA, I was a graduate of Iowa Lakes with several appearances on the Dean’s List, and I can carry on a conversation with nearly anyone I meet. Oh yeah, and I possess that silly sheet of paper that says something about earning a college degree from one of the top agricultural schools in the world.

I will leave the young readers with the following heartfelt and very experienced advice: Do not hesitate to run where the grass is not necessarily greener, but where your hard work and dedication will be best appreciated. Do your research, and give yourself to a town or city that is appreciative of what you have to offer. Sometimes that courtship and love affair with the city is real love. Please don’t feel guilty tying the knot to the land of equal opportunities, wherever that may be.