UC should help retain new alumni

For four years you slept through lectures, tried to find a parking space and somehow managed to get a degree.

But flipping burgers doesn't sound too appealing, so just what will you be doing for the rest of your life?

Why not use your education to benefit the city?

While not as appealing as say, having a job in Hawaii, staying local allows students to connect with their roots as well as help pave the path for future generations of Cincinnatians.

And certainly the city needs it.

With our Riverfront debacles, racial unrest and uncertain leadership, Cincinnati is the perfect training ground for the next generation of American leaders to hone their skills in how to turn around the economy, handle the issue of race with respect and champion the talents and skills of the populace.

Already there are many institutions where you can put your degree (and civic pride) to use.

Organizations such as Power Inspires Progress, Cincinnati Youth Collaborative and many others have programs that can help shape the leaders of tomorrow and let you give back to the city.

However, while helping others after graduation is a noble venture, what does the university offer to help us achieve those goals?

The Career Development Center can assist you with any questions you may have, and the Alumni Center is a great resource for graduates.

Though how do students feel about the direction and priorities of the university administration in terms of help for minority students to find a career?

"The university would be hard pressed to spend any resources on anything other than sports complexes," said Jac Stringer, president of GenderBloc, a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual student organization.

If we are to retain and train the next generation of young leaders in the Tri-State, Cincinnati City Council has to step up to the task as well.

One of the big questions floating around council chambers is how exactly to keep young professionals in the city.

While city government is quite willing to give tax exemptions and other perks to companies, why not extend that to young professionals as well?

Innovative incentives that apply directly to young leaders are essential to keeping a strong, talented work force in the city.

Helping young professionals with housing in Over-the-Rhine or modeling a system of free use of public transportation, such as the one Student Government reached with Metro, would be a great boon in creating an attractive package for future city leaders.

Perhaps the university can spend less on stadiums and recreation centers and more on programs for its students who are sometimes invisible.

But with the tools gained through a college education and help through the Alumni Center and the Career Development Center, we can gain the tools needed to give back to our city.

And by investing in the city, it is not too much to ask for the city to invest in its future: us.