NORMAL -- College graduates too often have a sense of "entitlement" for high salaries, and that hurts them in industrial careers, according to a new business development report.

But co-author Deborah Halperin, director of Illinois Wesleyan University's Action Research Center, is "seeing less of this (sense of entitlement) because of the recession."

Still, she said, colleges could do more to help students prepare for the "real world" by helping instill professionalism and teamwork.

These were among conclusions about job growth and economic development in McLean County contained in a 24-page report based on summer panel discussions at Illinois State University.

The ISU sessions featured representatives from a variety of businesses including agriculture, manufacturing, retail, financial services, information technology, health care and construction.

Panel participants said universities "could do more to close the gap between what employers need in an employee and how students are prepared."

The report also recommended better "branding" of cultural opportunities available in McLean County in order to draw more workers younger than 30. These workers are considered more difficult to attract because they perceive the area doesn't have enough entertainment and nightlife.

The Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau publishes an annual visitors guide and the Economic Development Council of the Bloomington-Normal Area has extensive information on community demographics, but the report said more information is needed.

Halperin agreed. "Once you get here, you find all the reasons to love it," she said.