Will Your Child Be Prepared for Careers That Don’t YET Exist

Will Your Child Be Prepared for Careers That Don’t YET Exist?

“We are currently preparing students for jobs that don’t yet exist,
Using technologies that haven’t been invented,
In order to solve problems we don’t even know are problems yet.”

– Karl Fisch, Educator and author of “Did You Know”

When we grew up, the employment rate was fairly stable. Our greatest concern
was having to compete against a few “local” job applicants to get a “good” job.

Our children, however, will face new challenges. For one, they will no longer be
competing with people in their hometowns for jobs; they will be competing with
people all over the globe! Secondly, companies are down-sizing. For better or
worse, technology is allowing companies to do more with less.

In order to give our children a competitive advantage in this Information Age
and global economy, we must teach them how to learn STRATEGICALLY: to organize
themselves, process new information efficiently, make critical decisions about
that information and access it at a later time.

These types of learning skills are called “soft skills.” They include learning,
organization, and communication strategies. Most schools do not teach these
skills because the national and state standards that drive their funding are
focused almost entirely on content. Very little focus falls on learning or
processing skills.

One study done by the Stanford Research Institute and Carnegie Melon Foundation
found that 75 PERCENT OF LONG-TERM CAREER SUCCESS DEPENDS ON SOFT SKILLS AND
ONLY 25 PERCENT ON TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE!

Another survey asked hundreds of employers in growing industries what skills
they needed from their employees now, and in the future. Of the top 57 skills
they listed, only FOUR were related to technology. 95% of the skills they need
include things like: the ability to think critically, know how to use various
learning strategies and manage time efficiently.

It seems unthinkable that our education system would ignore the top 95% of
skills that students need for career success! But, that is exactly what is
happening. They have the heavy burden of making sure students pass standardized
tests. Ironically, they don’t have time to provide instruction that is relevant
to your child’s future.

In the world of education, “soft skills” are called “study skills.” Study
skills let students use STRATEGIES in school. Students use strategies for
sports and video games…why don?t they know how to use strategies in school?

Study skills are the skills:

* Required to be an independent learner.
* That build confidence.
* That develop efficiency.
* That allow students to be proactive, make good decisions, and think
critically.
* That improve performance to prepare students for high-stakes tests and the
globally competitive job market of the future.

DO STUDY SKILLS MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

Ohio State University published a study in 2009 confirming the dramatic impact
study skills can have on school performance. The study found that students who
took a study skills class earned a higher grade-point average. More
significantly, they found that study skills had a major impact on graduation
rates!

* 45% = the increased likelihood that students who had “struggled” in high
school would graduate from college.

* 600% = the increased likelihood that students who had “average” grades in high
school would graduate from college!

If study skills are this powerful for college students, imagine the impact they
could have on upper elementary, middle, and high school students? Imagine the
confidence students would have much earlier in life?

Study skills give students a competitive advantage for the future, help them
earn better grades (in less time), and develop confidence! The only way to
ensure your child has every advantage to compete in our global economy is to
provide access to these life-long skills.

© 2011 Susan Kruger, All rights reserved. You are free to reprint/republish this
article as long as the article and byline are kept intact and all links are made
live.

In order to give our children a competitive advantage in this Information Age
and global economy, we must teach them how to learn STRATEGICALLY: to organize
themselves, process new information efficiently, make critical decisions about
that information and access it at a later time. Learn why these skills are
critical for your children.