People talk regularly about how a university degree or college diploma isn't necessary to get a decent paying job. I beg to differ.
Having a post-secondary education has always been important in my family and a point of emphasis as just something you did in the Paliwal family. To the point where in my entire extended family of aunts, uncles, siblings, cousins, we have only one person out of the 50 odd family members who has not completed a post secondary education.
I’m not suggesting that a post secondary education precludes you from getting a good job, but it helps a lot and here is why. Whether it be a lingering effect of the Covid-19 pandemic, or simply a change in attitude by millennials and Gen Z, character traits that us from Gen X took for granted as must-haves are missing from many of today’s job applicants. Things such as: showing up for work on time, or at all, following instructions from a supervisor, submitting work deliverables on time or when requested. These traits are lacking or require explanations from today’s employers.
Earlier in my career when hiring people I simply took it granted that the new hires possessed these basic skills. My more recent experiences in hiring young, new staff has me scratching my head. The stories I hear from my business associates echoes my own experience.
A person who had completed a university degree or college diploma has to show up for class at the scheduled time, has to understand a professor’s instructions for a class assignment, has to deliver a complete assignment on time in order to get a decent grade on that assignment; they’ve had their knowledge of relevant material tested in quizzes and exams. So if one can successfully do these things, and generally possess these traits, they’ll be a decent and reliable employee.
Having completed a post secondary education will always give one an advantage over someone who does not, especially in this post-Covid-19 era where it appears that these basic employee traits seem to be missing.
The education one gets from a post-secondary institution isn’t limited to the subject matter studied in their program, or the the topics covered in individual classes. While pursuing a post-secondary education a person learns about time management, juggling multiple priorities, following instructions, avoiding distractions, managing the pull from social activities while work/school assignments are pending.
Earning a good grade on an assignment, test or exam is very rewarding, and reinforces what will happen when you devote time and a solid effort to a task. This understanding or skill set will serve you well in any career.
Then add to this the learning received on a specific subject matter, concepts that are introduced to you by your professors or instructors. The curiosity that is peaked, the interest that is ignited, by learning about new ideas that you can further explore or put into practice in the workplace. And, by sharing these ideas with your employers you can demonstrate that you have some ideas to contribute to the organization. These are value-added employees who tend to stick around longer in their jobs, and even get promotions. This as compared to employees who simply fill seats and can be easily replaced.
When Jack Welch ran General Electric, he had employees rated as As, Bs and Cs. The As were keepers for GE - the company treated them well, made sure they were happy and had no reason to lift their heads up and look around for a job at another company. The Cs were disposable - they would either be removed or replaced in their jobs, certainly no one would shed a tear if they left GE. The Bs were in the middle. They were nice to have in the organization, they added value, and the company generally kept them happy. It just so happened that almost all of the A ranked employees at GE possessed a post-secondary education.
My assessment of this situation is based on countless conversations I’ve had with employers, both for professional staff, hospitality personnel, as well as casual labour. They all say the same thing. Finding reliable staff is a challenge today, and they often compromise their standards in hiring just to get employees into seats.
Not all millennials or Gen Z are missing these basic work traits. I’m encouraged when I see millennials or Gen Z that are atypical and possess all of these basic work characteristics, and see the value of working in a formal office setting.
I also acknowledge that a post-secondary education does not come for free and some cannot afford the tuition fees. People who will find themselves in this situation will still have a desire to pursue good paying jobs. I’m not suggesting they exclude themselves from pursuing the job they want. But please come to the table knowing you have to show up for work everyday, on time. You have to understand and deliver work assignments from a basic set of instructions. You have to get along with co-workers who are of various ages, different backgrounds, and potentially different viewpoints…in other words, you have to get along. These are all things a post-secondary education prepares you for.
Comments