Hoosiers just say no to the brain drain

"Well I was born in a small town and I live in a small town. Probably die in a small town, oh those small communities. All my friends are so small town. My parents live in the same small town..." JCM (from Seymour, Indiana), Small Town

After searching for a job for so long, I am stuck in a very distinct state of mind. Let me explain...

Someone tells me: My sister is getting married this weekend and her fiance works for P&G and she's just so frustrated because P&G won't let him off for his honeymoon and I thought P&G was a great place to work, but they haven't been very flexible.

I hear: My sister's fiance works for P&G and it's a great place to work, very flexible.

I think: Maybe he can help me get a job at P&G!

My mind has been morphed into this thing that is constantly networking. So, although I am officially employed (yaay!), I still cannot get it out of my head.

I believe that part of the reason I've become an uber networker is because of my surroundings. After a extensive personal research, Jim and I have come to the conclusion that people in Indiana are very willing to help with the process - even more so than other regions.

You mention that you're looking for a job here

and someone across the room comes over and says, my sister's fiance works at P&G and I'd love to help you! You don't even have to ask.

I attribute part of this phenomenon to the fact that Hoosiers tend to grow (and stick) where they're planted.

This weekend I was out at a bar and I met a few different people. The first person was from Seymour, Indiana. The second was from Fort Wayne, Indiana. The third was from Noblesville, Indiana.... and so on.

This summer I became so accustomed to people in Atlanta being from all over the country that it caught me off guard. With so many colleges and it being such a major city, Atlanta is a community of transplants. Hoosiers often grow up here, leave to go to Chicago or NYC for a bit, and make their way back. Personally, I believe it's because Indiana is such a wonderful and perfect place to raise a family (though Jim thinks my loyalty is a little excessive). However, regardless of why Hoosiers stick around, it certainly makes networking a whole lot easier when everybody knows everybody.