This city is always in motion. There’s always something happening, always something going on.
Bryan Morearty can always find something to do in Milwaukee.
The Business Management student at Milwaukee Area Technical College can attend concerts at the lakefront, feast on food prepared by famous chefs, admire world-class art and enjoy championship-level sporting events.
“This city is always in motion,” said Morearty, who grew up in West Allis. “There’s always something happening, always something going on. You have work, you have home and you are always looking for that third space. Milwaukee gives you that. And that’s especially important for young people.”
Milwaukee’s abundance of activity is one of the reasons Morearty plans to stay in the city after he finishes college. And Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson was more than happy to hear that.
Morearty was one of a dozen Milwaukee college students, and one of three MATC students, who participated in a workforce retention roundtable on Friday, October 10, hosted by Johnson and Lafayette Crump, commissioner of the city’s Department of City Development.
The aim of the event was to understand what factors could influence soon-to-be college graduates to choose Milwaukee as their long-term career home.
Students invited to share their thoughts came from MATC, the Milwaukee School of Engineering, Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
“You represent the talent pipeline we want to have here to drive continued growth and innovation,” Johnson said. “As mayor, I want to grow the population of Milwaukee. We want you to lay down roots here, stay here and thrive here.”
Nearly all the students, including the three from MATC, said they like the city for its diverse neighborhoods, healthy business climate, meaningful employment opportunities, and plentiful recreation and entertainment options.
William Musoke was born and raised in Uganda, and came to MATC in 2022. He received a scholarship from the Ellen and Joe Checota MATC Scholarship Program to study cybersecurity.
“What’s not to love about the city,” Musoke said. “Why not stay here?”
Kyle Lessa came to MATC from western Africa. He is on track to earn an Associate of Science degree in December. He plans to transfer to UWM and study nursing.
“I live with my cousin and I will stay here because it’s affordable for me,” Lessa said. “I also am a big basketball fan, so I love being able to see Bucks games.”
Milwaukee has earned national recognition as a strong market for college graduates, Johnson said. The Wall Street Journal reported in July that the city ranked second nationally for new graduate job placement, and Forbes ranked Milwaukee fifth in their 2024 Best Cities for College Students and Graduates, he said.
“Yes, we rank high in many things, but recognition isn’t enough,” Johnson said.
Several of the students said the city is very welcoming and friendly. “To me, Milwaukee feels like a second home,” said Marilena Gohmann, a Marquette student who grew up in Illinois. “The more I immersed myself in the city, the more I was able to find. This is a city that rewards curiosity.”
Mia Hochstetler’s mother went to Marquette and her father attended MSOE before settling in Connecticut.
“They always talked about their great experiences in Milwaukee,” said Hochstetler, a nursing student at MSOE. “I wanted to experience that as well.” Hochstetler plans to stay in Milwaukee and work at Froedtert Health after she graduates.
Cody Zenyuh, a civil engineering student at MSOE, grew up in Colorado and has watched prices skyrocket in his hometown. “It has become very, very enticing to stay here,” he said. I have found a community here.”
Johnson and Crump understand that Milwaukee isn’t perfect. Crime exists and the city’s rental market is extremely tight, with 94% occupancy and eight renters competing for each available unit, according to The Wall Street Journal.
“We’re trying to make sure that housing is being built for the next generation of professionals,” Crump said.
“We hope that seeing cranes in the sky is an encouraging sign for young people,” Johnson added.
Morearty agreed that it’s a great sign. He probably will stay in the city once he finishes his college journey.
“Milwaukee is poised to grow,” he said. “I think it’s better positioned than Chicago. I think we’ll see more affordable housing and more accessible housing here.”
Right now, 91% of MATC graduates and 80% of UWM graduates stay in the state, according to each institution. Johnson would love to make that 100%.
“Research what you’re passionate about and you can find it in Milwaukee,” he told the students. “We want you to know there’s a real opportunity to be successful here.”
About MATC: As Wisconsin’s largest technical college and one of the most diverse two-year institutions in the Midwest, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a key driver of southeastern Wisconsin’s economy and has provided innovative education in the region since 1912. More than 30,000 students per year attend the college’s four campuses and community-based sites or learn online. MATC offers affordable and accessible education and training opportunities that empower and transform lives in the community. The college offers more than 180 academic programs — many that prepare students for jobs immediately upon completion and others that provide transfer options leading to bachelor’s degrees with more than 40 four-year colleges and universities. Overwhelmingly, MATC graduates build careers and businesses in southeastern Wisconsin. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.