Participation Type
Paper
Session Title
Session 11.02 Social Sciences
Presentation #1 Title
Stay in West Virginia, Please: Resistance to the Brain Drain in Appalachia
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
For many decades, West Virginia has been a state with few high paying or prestigious job opportunities. Researchers have identified the “human capital flight,” a trend that results from a lack of employment opportunities, as skilled or highly educated individuals are more likely to leave the state in favor of places with a stronger economy. So why might some educated individuals decide to stay in a state with one of the poorest economies? Two researchers with distinct voices address this question from many poinst of view in this presentation. Combined, census data, personal interviews, and autoenthnographic personal narrative are framed within symbolic interactionism to determine why the so-called “brain drain” does not apply to many Appalachians who choose to stay in the state of West Virginia.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Lindsay Heinemann received a bachelor's degree from Bradley University and is now completing her master's degree in Sociology at Marshall University.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Heather Sprouse received a bachelor's degree from Marshall University and is now completing her master's degree in Sociology at the same university.
Stay in West Virginia, Please: Resistance to the Brain Drain in Appalachia
Harris Hall 139
For many decades, West Virginia has been a state with few high paying or prestigious job opportunities. Researchers have identified the “human capital flight,” a trend that results from a lack of employment opportunities, as skilled or highly educated individuals are more likely to leave the state in favor of places with a stronger economy. So why might some educated individuals decide to stay in a state with one of the poorest economies? Two researchers with distinct voices address this question from many poinst of view in this presentation. Combined, census data, personal interviews, and autoenthnographic personal narrative are framed within symbolic interactionism to determine why the so-called “brain drain” does not apply to many Appalachians who choose to stay in the state of West Virginia.
