For the second year in a row, Area and Development Magazine ranked Louisiana as the sixth best state in the U.S. for business. Alongside that title is Entrepreneur Magazine’s August ranking of Baton Rouge as one of the top five places to cultivate a business. 
In addition, Louisiana moved 33 spots up to no. 11 in Chief Executive Magazine’s “Best and Worst States for Business,” in just five years.
With all of these accolades, some students are paying attention and looking to stay in Louisana after graduation. 
“I would love to find a career in Louisiana after college, not only because of the eccentric culture, but also because of the wide variety of job opportunities that are emerging daily,” finance junior Alyson Lang said.
Many University business students are taking notice of the state’s increasing economic fertility, and are therefore making plans to build their careers here in Louisiana. 
Lang said that the University is essential to her finding a job after graduation. 
“LSU hosts so many events to help connect employers to employees that it seems almost impossible not to find my own niche here in my home state,” Lang said.
Executive Director of the Louisiana Business and Technology Center Charles D’Agostino said a number of students would like to work or start their own businesses in Louisiana.
“I hear many students complaining that in order to make the big dollars upon graduation, one must move to a large city, which is partially true,” agriculture business senior, Robert Selders II, said. “However, I believe if there were a larger talent pool located in the state, quality companies with quality jobs would not think twice about moving in.”
Selders said he agrees with all the stats naming Louisiana among the best places to start a business because the state provides the incentives needed to attract big business and the support small businesses need to grow, such as loans and grants, education and technical assistance.
Selders is also the founder of Affordable Business Solutions, a website design company currently located in the student incubator. 
“Several of my clients have taken advantage of the special programs for small businesses,” Selders said. “Particularly, the small and emerging business development program, which provides developmental assistance that businesses need to get started.”
Louisiana Economic Development is an organization that Selders believes plays a huge role in helping out the economy. LED provides technical assistance to firms looking to start a business in Louisiana or existing firms looking to expand, according to Selders.
“I would encourage anyone who is looking to start a business or who already has one to check out the many programs that are out there to help them succeed,” Selders said.