[deslok]

I'd travel to a place you may have an interest in first. Don't take someone's word for it. I hear Iowa and I think yuck, but I have never been there, have no reason to go there, and would never want to. That is just me though, so research, travel, decide. Take in the positive more so then the negative when you are looking at another place to live, weight it against Michigan's.
On amtrak today coming back from Detroit, someone said to me something very intelligent. He said he has lived in Michigan, Chicago, San Fransisco, Colorado, and then back to Chicago. Being only 32, he said he finally found for him that home was where his family and friends are. To me at my stage, home is Michigan and always will be, but not in the part of MIchigan I grew up in. I'd rather be in Detroit, Ann Arbor, Clawson, or Royal Oak, not on the west side where I grew up. I am content to not worry about rooting anywhere until the housing market clears up a bit more, so I'm in Chicago.
Jobs will come with experience and a resume, maybe not in the area you want it to be right away. Hope this makes at least some sense to ya.

[MittenDweller82]

First of all, do travel, and travel extensively if you are able to. Most people don't venture beyond a 30 square mile plot for most of their lives, except to vacation. One of my best friends, a Michigan native, traveled to several states before finding his calling, and a position that honored his degree and effort he put into it. There are many many other young adults that have the same mindset as you, and want to do well, making it extremely difficult to climb the ladder you want. I have known very few friends who have maintained internships even at the Masters level, mostly because employers have cut these opportunities. Michigan has a warped pane of glass surrounding it, at some point you want to look out and find other opportunities, while at the same time you want to stay near your home. Everyones view is different of course, if I could repeat my undergraduate experience, I would have left with many of my friends upon graduating, as I have found, leaving has become increasingly difficult as time has passed. Finally, don't let anyone sway your opinion... good luck!