Read a couple things in quick succession that piqued my interest.

The first was a commentary on the recession (by former president John Adams, no less)

The quick takeaway from this post was that rather than focusing on how to ease the pain of the current recession, our focus should be on building for the future and ensuring our continued competitiveness and leadership in the world economy.

I then had lunch with Don McLagen.  We chatted about boosting the entrepreneurial scene among students in Boston.  He shared an article from the New England Journal of Higher Ed that had some frightening statistics:

1. All six New England States rank in the bottom 10 in terms of population growth/decline among 25-34 year old’s.

2. MA had 20% fewer people in this age range in 2004 compared to 1990 (vs. a nationwide average of -7%)

3. In a BCG survey of recent college graduates, the main reasons for leaving Massachusetts included: Job opportunities, connections between employers and graduates, and affordability.  This study focused on the 80% of students that don’t feel like they have strong personal ties to any particular geography. 

Some of New England’s most important assets are our institutes of higher education, which consistently draw in some of the world’s brightest young talent.  I think linking this talent with a creative and productive entrepreneurial ecosystem is a key ingredient to preserving this country’s economic competitiveness.  As members of this ecosystem (investors, employers, educators, etc) I think it’s imperative that we make these links happen sooner, more frequently, and locally.  There is no reason that students need to graduate and head out to Silicon Valley before they get a taste for risk and adventure in their careers.  I’m glad to see that there are folks like Don and others who are looking to take practical steps to address this.