Penn State junior Lauren Toth said when she graduates, she wants to find a teaching job in Florida rather than in the "unstable" job market in her hometown of Pittsburgh.

Toth's concern is just one example attributed to the area's 60,000-person drop in population from 2000 to 2006, according to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The city's loss is second only to hurricane-damaged New Orleans, which lost 292,000 people during the same time period, according to data.

"I know that with my major, it's easier for me to get a job in the south," said Toth, who majors in elementary education. "It would be nice to come back there eventually ... I would definitely have to know I had a job before I came back."

All but two of the 50 fastest-growing metro areas were in the south or west, according to the data.

Though Penn State Career Services could not comment on Pittsburgh specifically, Catherine Dufour, associate director of recruiting and employer relations, said many students move away from their hometowns for career reasons, with the exception of students who come from large metropolitan areas.

"It is pretty common to start elsewhere, although a lot of students do want to stay within a reasonable distance," Dufour said.

She said she encourages students to be flexible in their career search.

New Kensington native Christa Livorio (sophomore-elementary education) said she is "definitely" looking for a job in the Pittsburgh area to be near her family, though she has noticed a trend of college graduates moving to metropolitan areas like Washington, D.C. and New York City.

"I think it's the other cities that are drawing people away because they have more to offer in terms of job opportunities," Livorio said. "It's almost understandable because it's not a very strong economic time for Pittsburgh."

Adam Ventura (junior-journalism) said he will search for jobs around Pittsburgh as well as other cities.

"Almost everyone I know that graduates ends up leaving because they get a better job elsewhere," Ventura said. "Maybe it's wishful thinking, but I'm optimistic that things are turning around a little bit."

Ventura said he would relocate but hopes to settle in Pittsburgh.

"I'm open to moving for a job," he said. "But I think, if and when I get married and have kids, I want them to be in Pittsburgh around my family."

There are a number of career opportunities for young people in the city who are willing to look, said Dan Holland, founder and chair of the Young Preservationists of Pittsburgh Association.

"If you want to be in Pittsburgh, you can be in Pittsburgh," Holland said. "People need to commit to the region to make it work and explore all we have to offer."

Earlier this week, Holland stood with Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl as he announced the establishment of the Propel Pittsburgh Commission.

The organization is designed to promote the area and attract young people to Pittsburgh. Although the commission is in its early stages, Holland says he thinks it will be successful.

"We need diversity and we want immigrants," Holland said. "We are hungry, as a region, for new ideas and new people."