Could our young People be Ticking Time Bombs because of us!

Ticking Time Bombs

Our young people are ticking time bombs. They are stressed, scared, confused and they just want answers. Have you seen the video of them talking about what is going on in the home? Why are we adults trying to sugar coat what is happening?  Have any one of us  apologized to these young adults for the mess we have made in this country? Have we  told them they will have to go above and beyond to get a job, even if they have a 3.9 gpa and have joined the hottest fraternity or sorority?  What about the young adults who will need to sit out for a year or two because the money you have saved for college has been lost because of Madoff or the Stock Market.   How can we make our young adults handled life right now? How can we make the burden less lighter? How can we look at our young people and tell them, this too shall past!

As a young person, how do you feel about this mess we adults have created? How does it feel that you may not be able to go to college because you do not have the money or you need to help your  parents because one of them has lost their job? How do you cope? Who do you turn to? Do you run, get high, give up or go on?  You go on and you live your  life like you have been preparing for this all your young lives.  You get educated some more, you add more skills sets and you get educated some more. You have to learn how to bring value in everything you do. It is not business as usual but business as different.

Left-Brain meet Right-Brain!

 

Warning!!!

Start thinking now how you are going to fit into this new way of doing business.

Business is changing. How? There will be a shift in the upcoming months that if our young people do not understand, if they do not get a handle on what is soon to come they will fall even further behind. The marketplace has changed since 2008-2009. Now customers and clients want purpose and meaning. They want quality, beauty, less fuss but excellence.  For example, design and accounting will work hand in hand. Storytelling and empathy will be health care workers way of dealing with patients. Notice once boring store products,  now suddenly they look wonderful in design and shape, convincing a consumer to buy the product although they never used or cared about the product before. Why is this happening, and why now? Look at all the beautifully package items in the stores and online. What abundance we have! Yet, the marketplace is still not satisfied. Look at all the choices we have to decorate our homes and offices. Look how people are going to church, mosques and synagogues in record number. People want simplistic, sophisticated, beautiful designed products and services. They want to know what is their purpose on Earth, or why do they exist? The stage of business is changing and our teens and young adults need to know how to incorporate their career aspirations to accommodate the new changes.

Now the L-brain side (accounting, engineering, computer science for example)  is working with R-brain side(designer, artist, orator, decorator for example) and if a teen can not adapt to this  type of thinking concerning the marketplace they will be lost and broke.

Here are a few examples:

There was a time when you needed to go to a lawyers office to get certain forms. Now you can get forms over the Internet ranging from Wills to  Incorporating your business from people who are not even lawyers. I would guess this is taking away from a lawyer bottom line, wouldn’t you say? So now the R-brain has to think of something so the lawyer can make a living he was accustomed to in the 90′s. Why not design a website that not only houses  forms a person can purchase 24 hours a day but also offer advice for people who need a lawyer’s opinion. If they are satisfied with the answer, guess what they will keep giving you money everytime a problem arises, 24 hours a day.  The website is easy to navigate and pleasing to the eyes and the lawyer geniunely seems to be reaching out to the consumer.

Customer service is huge right now in business. Companies like Wachovia, Zappos and Southwest Airlines have been known for excellent customer service. Now customer service is the number one priority for every single company in business right now. Why? Consumers have too many choices to be treated like a doormat. If you can not take care of them not only will they take the business elsewhere but they will tell everyone about it on the Internet and offline. A business can soon tank afterwards. But hasn’t this concept been the same thoroughout time? Yes, it has but businessess gave you a refund or gave you a credit for next time and that pretty much took care of it. You were satisfied and continue giving your money to the company. But now consumers want more than a refund or credit. They want a geniune apology. They want empathy. They want to know you care about them and will do anything to keep them. Have you notice some companies send you birthday cards, a customer service representative will call you just to see how you are doing and then will tell you about the latest hottest thing happening in the business. The marketplace is changing and our teens and young adults have the right to know how and what to do.

The Law of Attraction has become very huge. Spirituality has become huge. People are tired of phoniness. They want to be transparent. They want to do business with people who are transparent as well. Why do you think yoga classes, chanting, online church meetings, bible studies are growing at record numbers? People are wondering why are they here on Earth, what is their purpose in life, why do they have money, car, career, marriage, children but feel so empty and unhappy?  We have had abundance, we have conquered so much, invented so much and now these things are just not enough. Look at how many people were online with Oprah’s classroom  talking about spirituality. The consumer wants to see alittle of this in the marketplace. Whatever your business or career will be in the future take notice include the  spiritual, the design and  the beauty side of  business.

You need two skills or more to survive in the marketplace!

As the auto industry laid over hundreds of thousands of workers the USA cringed. These people worked on these assembly lines for 10, 15 and over 20 years. They are now without jobs and without skills to find something else to do. They will need to be trained all over. They will have to go back to school or obtained certifications to obtain the money they were accustomed to before being laid off. It really had me thinking. What if I just had one skill and lost my job? How would I take care of my children, my home, my life?  Fortunately I was always nosy. If  I wanted to know something I would go to school and take a course. Before I purchased my home I received my certifications in Loan Processing and Loan Underwriting. No I did not want to go into real-estate, I just wanted to know all the language that would be thrown my way while I was looking for my home. Now that I think about it I can get a job as a loan processor or loan underwriter. My point is this. As the young generation come up they have to have another skill level that will make them money just in case the other skill set falls through. This is something that will be the norm from now to forever.

Yes, you can go to college and pursue whatever you want to be, accountant, engineer, teacher, etc but why not take some courses on mechanics, plumbing, hair or electrical. You will not be able to survive with one skill set in this day and age. Even if you can speak another language you are capable of making extra money.

What could be the best ways of obtaining two or more skills or occupations? Why would a person spend more effort or money if they are going to be a doctor or lawyer for example? They make money, what’s the point? First of all, last time I checked I could get any kind of legal document online without a lawyer. I also can sign up for an organization who has a poole of lawyers which can represent me because a pay a small fee from my paycheck. Do you see what I am getting at? Lawyers will have to find fresh and innovative ways to stay current so they can make a living.

I think the best way to tackle this is address the occupations that are hot and are in demand for at least the next 10 or so years. You do not have to fall in love with these but if you can at least explore the possiblities of what you can become and how you can make this particular skill lucrative in your life then half the battle is won.

The top occupations are:

Accountants-tax services, auditing, consulting

Green-Energy-particularly people who can research energy efficient buildings

Health Care-people are living longer, enough said

Software-sales

Actuaries- (the government is forever looking for them)

Data Analyst- all industries

Physical Therapist -people are living longer, enough said

Electrical Engineers- people who have background in city management in understanding  the building codes

Now, most of these you need higher education but you can take and use this to your advantage. For instance you could get your degree in Accounting at a two year college and work as a temporary employee at your local hospital. After they notice you are dependable and reliable and they realize you have an accounting degree you could apply and obtain the financial position they need help in. Not only do you have skills in accounting but you are also in the healthcare field getting experience. If the hospital for any reasons have to make cuts you can always get an accounting position somewhere else, do taxes on the side or find work at another hospital. Your are in demand because you have skills which make you in demand.

There are also other ways of obtaining new skills. You could intern or voluteer. You decide which skills set you would like to learn and start looking for places where you can voluteer or internship. You will be amazed how much you can learn. Sure you are not getting paid but when you know enough and you add it on your resume you will get paid. It didn’t cost you anything but a little time.

You could find a mentor or coach who is working in the occupation you want to obtain skills in. Be honest and forthright with them and tell them you want to learn everything they know. You will be surprise how most people are honored you think that highly of them in the first place and will be more than happy in assisting  you.

There are more turbulent times ahead and we all have to be ready. The days of  going to school and getting a degree, then a good job, then staying on the job until retirement and then living off your retirement is long gone. You have to constantly build your knowledge base and skill base when it comes to making money to keep a roof over your head, food in your belly and all the other things in between. Yes, your life may get weary and tired but in the long run you do not have to panic like so many Americans had to.

Stop the Drop, Now!

I read something mind blowing. In this country a high school student drops out every 26 seconds. You read that right, every 26 seconds. I was so hurt and disturbed by that. That is 7000 students a month. That’s alot of kids! Our country use to be # 2 in education, now we are #21. Our teens and young adults have the highest unemployment rate. What is going on? Where did we go wrong? Who do we blame? Is there anyone to blame? How can we Stop the Drop? How can we begin to lower the drop out rate, how can we lower the unemployment rate and how can we stop dropping on a global level?

I’ve decided to start doing some investigative reporting myself. First of all it is true, the statistics that is. Also there are several reasons why students drop out.
1. Failing
2. Feel school does not show them how the real world is
3. Teachers do not talk or listen to them
4. Need to work
5. Have a child
6. Parent on drugs or incarcerated

Now, I understand we are not responsible for a student’s parent being incarcerated or on drugs. But I feel we can do some things. For instance, if the school system does not give them an idea of how the real work life will be there are tons of organizations that can show them. We just have to steer these students to them. If the student has a child we need to create an environment that is welcoming for the student and their baby. It has been done all over this country and maybe we need to copy the schools that have this type of program. As far as teachers listening to the students and telling them what is really going on, well that can be tricky. I understand that teachers have a specific agenda that is mandated by the Board of Education. But still that is no excuse. We can talk to our children and we can have career coaches in every middle and high schools just to talk to students about the marketplace. This method has been proven in the state of Georgia and if it is working there than all states should give it a try.

Our teenagers and young adults have the highest rate of unemployment. How can we begin to get our teens and young adults working? Well I think we need to start emphasizing to them they will need more than one skill. They need to first be taught that knowing how to do one thing is not the norm any more. We begin to introduce them to basic soft skills such as customer service skills or servitude skills then teach them a skill such as bricklaying or plumbing. They can go to college and get a degree in engineering or accounting. Now they have two skills so if there is ever a layoff or if they just want to make extra money they have two different things they can use to take care of themselves and eventually a family. Workshops and training have to become a priority in our student’s lives.

As we begin to add different elements and tools to a student life things begin to shift and change for the better. Yes, there will be students who will drop out no matter what is offer to them and yes there will be students who are not interested in learning a skill or even going to college. But we have to bear in mind that there are plenty of students who are interested in what the marketplace holds for them and it should be our responsibility to make sure that we Stop the Drop, Now!

Could the year 2008-2009 possibly be one of the worst?

I have seen alot of things in my life. I’ve witnessed terrible storms, accidents, the first black president, upsets in sports, scandals, a rap group receiving an Oscar. I never in a million years would see big name companies fail, the housing market crumble, auto industry almost non-existant and lets not forget the banking system. I guess Jesus is coming soon! How did this all happen? I guess it was many different factors that cause the economic downturn according to what network you listened to. But I have drawn my own conclusion. I believe there were people who were greedy. They were selfish. They had the me, me, me, me attitude. There were people who had no hearts at all. How can you take people’s retirement money and just squander it away? How can you approve people for home loans without checking their incomes or knowing the house was too much for their salaries?  What kind of person would not explain how adjusted rates operates to an unsuspecting homebuyer? I will tell you. This is my opinion and my opinion only but we have lost our sense of feelings, empathy, love, caring, gratitude, thanksgiving, respect or to sum it up we have lost the gift of servitude.   But there is hope!!  We can change this, so we never experience a 2008-2009 again  by simply caring for one another. We need to train our children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews in servitude. It is not always about us but about others. We need to go back to loving each other and educating each other. I remember when 9-11 happened and you saw black, white, latinos, just everyone holding each other up. It was a beautiful thing in the mist of something so evil. We truly do not need another 9-11 to start caring for each other, do we? Remember,  young people, teens, young adults will be at the helm within 25 years or more. When I am in my prime years  I surely do not want a selfish, greedy, unsympathetic, its all about me woman or man in the White House, Banking, Housing, Education, Auto or anything else for that matter.  You shouldn’t either. Start training these young people now!

How to do a resume if you never had a job?

Teens and young adults everywhere ask this question. We will show
you some things you can do  to make your resume inviting even if
you never had a paying job before.
 
Write down every club you have joined from the age of 14 to now.
For example if you were on FBLA or DECA or the Honor Society. Write
down every sports organization you have participated in. Write down
if you do any activities for your church, temple or mosque. Any
voluteer work you have done list it. Now since you never worked at
a paying job you need to break down what you did in all the
organizations, church functions and voluteering you have done.
 
Your list will look like the following:
 
 
Freshman Year                                        2006         
  
Head Cheerleader at Presbyterian Church
Basketball Team- Guard
 
Participated in fund raising, achieving 3k within two weeks
Team player, works well with others,  led team to state
championship through leadership skills coached by my student
success life coach
 
Sophomore Year                                        2007        
  
Basketball Team-Guard
Voluteer Habitat for Humanity
 
Follows instructions with litte supervision, build a ranch house
within 2 weeks, 1 week less than expected, received an award for
creating safety features on the site
 
Junior Year                                            2008       
  
Voluteer Baysitter for 7 yr old and 9 yr old
DECA
FBLA-secretary
 
Utilize Powerpoint, Word, and Excell for weekly reports and
meetings, utilize time management skills coach by my student
success life coach, embrace diversity, dependable, reliable and
creative, perform the Hemlich Manuever on the 7 year old, thus
saving his life, quick on the feet.
 
Certifications & Awards
Trophy for MVP- Basketball                             2007       
  
Certification of Achievement-DECA              2008       
  
Who’s Whose of American HS                            2008       
  
        
 
Now you have your list and you remember everything you have
accomplished you can put it in full sentences. You can group them
any way you prefer to such as by organizations, sports, voluteering
or you can do it by classifications. I prefer classifications
because it shows the prospective employer and or school
adminstrative board how you’ve change year to year.
 
To recap. You will add your name, address, phone number and email
address if you have one. Then you will add your objective. Your
body of the resume will list your accomplishment  afterwards you
will list your rewards and certifications you have received
throughout high school and college. You should have a one page
resume all ready to go.
 
If you have not joined any clubs, or voluteered for any
organizations while in high school or college I would suggest you
get started. There are a ton of places that need voluteers and I am
quite sure there is a club or two just for you. in school.  Just
get started. 

What to really expect when you go away to college?

You have received the acceptance letter.  You have your funds, loans, grants and scholarships. You have been texting and talking to your expected roommate. Your parents have bought you all the necessary things for your dorm room. Your parents have just left and you now realize you are truly on your own, time to celebrate or time to panic. Neither. You are going to experience things you never thought about in a million years and yes some of it will be exciting and some of it will be scary. Most students are excited about entering college but yet they are still curious about what college is really about. What can you expect? What will you do? What type of people will you meet? How are the instructor and professors? These and many other questions may run through your mind. But you are not alone..

First of all college is totally different from high school! If you were super popular in high school because of athletics, student body or something else, please remember you will not receive that attention your freshman year unless you do something amazing!!!!. So get over it. Do you think an upperclassman is going to praise you and go out of their way to befriend you just because your winning basketball made your high school  state champs ?

When you enter college remember students, faculty and parents expect you to behave  like an adult. No one is going to wake you up for class. No one will wash your clothes or even tell you it is time to wash (unless your roommate tells you  the room has an odor). No one is going to tell you to do your homework or even go to class. Most professors will not check your homework or even collect the assignment. You may get a professor who hands out a syllabus for the semester with dates and dismiss the class for several days throughout the semester. Forget what you did in high school. You professor is there to teach you not to baby you. Here’s a list of how you can be more comfortable during the first months of college.

1. Get over the food served in the cafeteria. We know your mother’s chicken is better.

2. Your roommate may not look like you, believe in things like you, think like you,  but be grateful.  College is about change and diversity. College is a time for growth. How boring to have a roommate the same color, religion, political views,  etc. You can stay home for that!.

3. There are a ton of organizations on campus. Some of them you may not believe in and they may be offensive to you, GET OVER IT! Your world has gotten alot bigger than when you were in high school.

4. If you get a sick don’t expect someone to cater to you. Your mother is not there. If you are the type to get a bad cold during flu season have all the necessary medicines available to you and take care of yourself.

5. Are you easily offended? I suggest you toughen up. Chances are you will find students from all over the country. Northerners seem to tell like it is, southerners are more demure and west coast people takes things in stride. It is never personal.

6. Don’t fall in love with the first person you meet. Usually they have someone else at another dorm on the other side of campus.

7. If you like peace and quiet do not even attempt to go away to college. Just commute so you can go home at the end of the day to your nice quiet room on your nice quiet street  and study.

8. Some students do drugs, get drunk, pop prescription medicine, are gay, dress weird, cut themselves, have low self-esteem, insanely jealous, sex fiend, extremely smart, extremely talented, gifted all around, religious fanatics, beautiful, ugly, fat, anorexic, handicapped, etc. The point is everyone you come across in college will be totally different from you and that is perfectly okay. You may be the outcast to someone else. Dont judge!

9. Most students wear jeans and tees to class. Be different. Wear jeans and high heels or a nice dress to class once in a blue moon (if a woman) and wear khakis, collar shirt and shoes (if a man). You will get notice quicker.

10. Last but not least. Your bedroom was alway immaculate. Your bathroom smelled like freshly picked lilacs or a lovely musk smell. Your roommate may not be the neatest.  Just grin and bear it. Maintenance will do the best that they can do but do not expect the 5-star treatment.  Just think of it this way, school will be out in just a few more months anyway.

This is what you can expect in college and more! Have fun and enjoy because believe it or not, college life can be the best part of your life if you allow it.