Leading Question

>>Chad Phipps, president of the 300-member Young Professionals of Naples, has seen a stream of 20- and 30-somethings say goodbye to the region to search for better opportunities in Florida and other Southeast cities, such as Charlotte, N.C.

“Some people are saying, ‘I’m going to stick it out and look for work,’” says Phipps, who works for Bonita Springs-based employee benefits firm Gravity Benefits. “Some people are like, ‘I’ve got to get out of here. I’ve tried. I’ve exhausted all of my resources.’”

The Young Professionals of Lee County has also seen a number of members leave, including board members representing a variety of professions, says Dan Sinclair, founder of the networking group.

“They got tired of beating their heads against the wall and not making the kind of money they were making, or they just couldn’t get a job down here,” he says. “A lot of people are trying to stay here and tough it out. When you’ve got double-digit unemployment, it makes it tough.”

Hospitals report a drop in services often associated with young professionals, such as labor and deliveries. “That’s a direct correlation to that population moving out of the county,” says Geoffrey Moebius, CEO of Physicians Regional Healthcare System.

Florida Gulf Coast University’s survey of graduates also points to the emigration of young professionals. Results from the spring 2008 and fall 2008 graduating classes showed a slight decrease in the number of students who expected to stay in the area after earning their bachelor’s degree. Fifty-six percent of fall graduates intended to stay, compared with 65 percent in the past few graduating classes, and 25 percent planned to leave, up from 20 percent. Another 19 percent said they were unsure, compared with 15 percent previously.

The four primary reasons given for leaving were out-of-area employment opportunities, returning to family, starting graduate or professional school elsewhere and—typically for those who grew up here—a desire for change. Contributing to the rising number of graduates leaving is that more FGCU students are from other areas, says Reid Lennertz, director of career development services.

Alison Flick, a student training and development coordinator in FGCU’s Department of Career Development Services, has talked to students debating whether to move to cities where jobs in certain industries are concentrated, such as public relations jobs in New York City. “I think it’s definitely wise to be flexible in your job search,” she says.

Flick is a recent graduate of GAIN (Growing Associates in Naples), a new three-month program by the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce that offers professional development and mentoring to professionals ages 21 to 40. The chamber saw a need for programs to engage them and entice them to stay here, says Stefanie Cuthbertson, the chamber’s vice president of community relations. “It’s important we do everything we can to keep them here.”