PLATTSBURGH -- A survey of area young professionals showed three-quarters are satisfied with their jobs and more than half plan to stay in the area.

The study was conducted by the Technical Assistance Center at Plattsburgh State for the North Country Workforce Investment Board.

It focused on professionals between 20 and 44 years of age who reside in Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties.

"There were some very positive results we found from the study," said Keri Mack, North Country Workforce Investment Board director of business services.

Seventy-five percent of about 195 respondents said they were satisfied or very satisfied with their job, she said.

Additionally, 54 percent said they plan to stay in the area permanently or for at least nine years.

TRACKING TRENDS

Victoria Zinser Duley, an economic-development specialist with the Technical Assistance Center, said the study involved a three-part process.

First, staff gathered national, state and county demographic and workforce data to find trends of interest.

She was surprised to find that 56 percent of the respondents were born outside the region. That includes 30 percent born outside New York state, which shows the region has been able to draw and retain young professionals, Duley said.

SURVEYS SENT

Then, 390 young professionals were sent surveys. It brought a 51-percent response rate, which Duley said is remarkable and shows the interest level of local young professionals.

Mack said respondents indicated pay rates, educational opportunities and availability of jobs as top priorities for their economic and professional development.

They saw local education opportunities, professional development and networking opportunities as positive.

On the negative side, respondents had the least favorable impression of pay scale and number of jobs available, which were two of their three top priorities, Mack said.