I Almost Became Part of BC's Earlier Brain Drain

 I Almost Became Part of BC's Earlier Brain Drain

Reading about the Vancouver Sun discussing a new brain drain in British Columbia made me stop and think.

Years ago, I had an opportunity to work in the United States scanning aerial photography. It would have been a completely different life. Instead, I made a different choice. I packed my bags and went to Mexico.

That one decision changed everything.

In Mexico, I met my child's father, and returned to BC and had my child here. 

I also had the opportunity to paint murals, travel, and immerse myself in a different culture. Becoming a mother led me to ask questions about where my family came from. That journey inspired me to research and learn more about both my Indigenous and European ancestry—something I might never have explored had my life taken a different direction.

Those experiences eventually led to years of photography, writing, blogging, and working on books about travel, history, social issues, and the environment.

Looking back, it's amazing how one decision can completely change the course of your life.

Today, we're hearing that many skilled people are once again leaving British Columbia because they can't afford to stay. Housing costs continue to rise, wages often don't keep up, and experienced workers are finding better opportunities elsewhere.

This isn't just about economists talking about a "brain drain." It's about real people making life-changing decisions. Behind every statistic is a person, a family, and a future that may unfold somewhere else.

How many artists, engineers, healthcare workers, tradespeople, researchers, teachers, photographers, programmers, and young graduates are wondering if they have a future here? How many have already left? And how many are standing at a crossroads, trying to decide whether to stay or go?

I almost became part of an earlier brain drain. Instead, I chose a different path, and that path gave me experiences, friendships, creativity, a deeper understanding of my heritage, and the greatest gift of all—my child.

Sometimes a single decision doesn't just change a career. It changes an entire life, and even future generations.

Have you ever made one decision that completely changed the course of your life?

Reflective Questions

1. Have you ever made a decision that completely changed the course of your life?
2. Do you think talented people are leaving British Columbia by choice or because they feel they have no alternative?
3. How has travel or living in another place changed your perspective on life?
4. What discoveries about your family history or ancestry have shaped your identity?
5. What can governments and communities do to encourage skilled people to stay and build their futures locally?
6. How do individual life choices influence future generations?
7. If you had the opportunity to start over somewhere else, what factors would influence your decision?

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