WHERE THE YOUNG GO

A survey of recent University of Maine graduates showed that many were able to find work in Maine, at least as they begin their careers. That’s a good sign for a state concerned with growing its economy. But for Maine to thrive, it will need many more college-educated residents than the university can provide, and it will need them all over the state. That requires additional effort.

The university’s Office of Institutional Studies, as it has previously, asked recent graduates whether they had found work in Maine, full or part time, and at what salary. Nor surprisingly, in-state graduates were much more likely to remain here (72 percent accepted full-time work here) compared with out-of-state graduates (27 percent). Previous studies have shown the community-college system rate of in-state retention is even higher, while several of the private schools, which draw more of their student body from out of state, is lower.

Maine faces a larger challenge, however, than is represented by these numbers. In the 1990s it lost young adults – those ages 25 to 34 – at three times the rate of the national average. As a percent of that age group within its total population, Maine’s cohort ranked 50th in 2000. Things have gotten better since then, but not uniformly throughout the state – southern and midcoast Maine are seeing population growth at around the national average; Down East Maine and northern Maine decidedly are not, and much of the growth they are experiencing comes from retirees.

As welcome as the UMaine information is, this state must attract many more young, college-age people if it is to thrive. That’s why programs such as RealizeMaine, in which networks of young professionals collaborate on career opportunities, are essential. The groups emphasize internships and mentoring programs, making higher education more affordable and engaging young adults in civic activities. Locally, the group that does this is Fusion: Bangor, which last month had a highly successful one-year celebration.

Getting the word out to thousands of young adults who have left Maine that this state’s attitude toward their interests and careers has changed is important. But Maine also needs young professionals who may know Maine only because of its lobster or its camps.

There’s nothing wrong with young college graduates from Maine wanting to see the world and experience very different places from here. In fact, it is certainly better that they do go. But many should be able to come back, because they like the lifestyle and because there is meaningful work for them. And they should bring their new-found friends with them, too. That takes a lot of work here, including within the university system and more broadly through programs such as RealizeMaine.