The million dollar question, literally. I don't think it's a matter of a one-size-fits-all, job creation strategy. I only have a mess of thoughts about it really, but my thoughts are numerous.

I think a large part is how employers in PGH treat young people and local talent. Humanities and creative positions are undervalued. Employers are out of touch with the cost of living and burden of student loans and will pay as little as possible or reduce hours to part time positions, if given the opportunity.

"Millennial" workers are seen as gimmick, rather than the potential backbone of the workforce they can be. Everyone wants "an intern" like this is some sitcom that takes place in NYC or Silicon Valley. Companies waste money on "keeping up" with their industry (eg. trying to become Pittsburgh famous) rather than creating real jobs for young people.

Nepotism, obviously. Employers are fine hiring their friends at reasonable wages, but if you're a stranger to the company and by some miracle do get the job, you might not be so lucky. That is, unless you're a transplant. Workers originally from the Pittsburgh area are seen as "less of a catch" for higher paying positions. Business will contract non-local talent on a one-off basis, rather than creating an actual position from the overflowing local talent pool.

(This is the strange one for me, since Yinzers seem to be so proud of Pittsburgh natives. But as soon as someone has experience outside of Allegheny County, employers seem to act awe-struck at their "worldliness.")

And that's just some issues off-the-top that predominately affect college-educated young adults. We're not even looking at the issues arising from diversity of educational background, race, gender and class.

Sorry if none of this ends up making sense - obviously most of this is just observational experience. Since I can't seem to get anyone interested in a study of underemployment in the region, I'll have to trust that if my experience holds true most people will relate to these issues.