On the QT: Lost Generation?

November 17, 2009

 

Attachment: ROAD to Success

Did you know? While unemployment is ravaging just about every part of the global workforce, the most enduring harm is being done to young people who can’t grab onto the first rung of the career ladder. With an unemployment rate of over 18%, 16 to 24 year olds are frustrated in their efforts to find jobs. Many CCC students are discouraged and disheartened because they are unable to begin the careers they once enthusiastically pursued. While we know that in time the economy will improve and our workforce will flourish, instructors can enlighten and energize this forlorn group whom Business Week has dubbed “The Lost Generation.” By providing relevant career information and resources, offering creative career possibilities, and focusing on the value of persistence, instructors can reduce students’ fear and anxiety by encouraging and supporting them to take positive action steps to move forward on their career journeys. The activity outlined below is a good place to begin or extend the career conversation. It provides students with a simple tool to address and overcome obstacles that are keeping them from getting a “good” job. If you want to help your students get on the ROAD to success, try this quick and easy exercise.

 

Try this:

 

Share a frustrating job search experience you had and how you handled it.
Ask some questions.

With high unemployment, how are people finding jobs?
What obstacles are people running into in finding a job?
How are job hunters dealing with their job search frustrations?

Explain that you want to introduce them to a tool to help them tackle the obstacles or roadblocks that keep them from getting on their career path.
Distribute the ROAD to Success activity and have students work in small groups to discuss and respond to the three situations.
Come back together as a group and discuss some of their ideas.

Add an Experience: The “D” in ROAD urges students to develop partnerships to help them reach their goals and overcome obstacles. Author Richard Lieder contends that job seekers accomplish powerful goals and overcome obstacles by looking to others for advice and suggestions. Students can find great job resources and connections right on campus. This week, encourage your students to make a connection with the career center to find out about the services they offer. In addition, suggest that they discuss obstacles that are keeping them from getting a job they want with several people they respect and trust. Ask them to share the outcome of these experiences at the next class.

 

 

Quik Quote: Obstacles don't have to stop you ... Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. Michael Jordan