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I am a graduate of University of Oregon, and actively caring for values important to Oregonians since I moved here in 1980. One of the values I support is buying locally. But I am troubled by the lack of support the universities, the state, local governments and Oregon owned businesses provide for Oregon graduates. We need to not only buy locally but we need to hire locally as well. We have got smart and dedicated individuals who not only used their hard earned money to pay back their student loans but some were lucky to receive state tuition support. Now over the last decade I have been in the position of being unemployed but do not have an alumni association or career center that supports baby boomers who are out of work. I never thought I would live to experience age descrimination but I do. The only letters I receive from U of O alumni department are requesting financial support to develop the newly young graduates careers. I feel the administration of the university system are sorely out of touch with the needs of ordinary Oregon college graduates.

One of the most frustrating situations I witness is hiring of young graduates from other parts of the country who acquire jobs during a period when there is a shortage of jobs. Just a few years ago I listened to a newcomer of 25 years of age describe how the state interviewed her over the phone for a social worker's position before she even moved here. Driving from the East Coast to Oregon for her first time she received a call stating she got the job. I am sure that there was a resident of Oregon who graduated from one of our schools, received financial support from our state, and qualified for the job of social worker at that time when jobs were particularly scarce here in Oregon!I am not against other Americans moving here but let's use the human potential and resources we already have and those for whom we have financed an education. When we think of recycling let's be smart and use our local home grown college graduates first. I value experience, wisdom, age, and local talent. Why is that not a value integrated into our universities and employment systems?

posted 3 years, 4 months ago
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