Times are changing drastically in the workforce. This is not to scare you but to make you aware of what we are facing today and the years to come. First let's look at the help wanted classified ads, don't be fooled - they are mixing commission only and business opportunities in with the employment listings. Furthermore, you may be over qualified. Yes, that's right! If you have a four-year college degree with or without experience, you may be over qualified.
Wow, for over 25 years, American's have been encouraged to go to a four-year college in order to be considered for a good job. Now that we have the degree, American's are being considered over qualified. Plus, since the 90s, employers have been requiring experience in conjunction with a degree because they wanted to weed out all the college graduate applicants. Now, how is someone supposed to get experience without a job? Things that make you say, "Hmmm....".
You see - In the 50s, 60s, and 70s, going to a college was a privilege. Therefore, there were not many people with a degree, and supply and demand allowed college graduates to receive more money. From the 80s, 90s, and the 00s, we have been sending our children to college so they can qualify for the higher-level jobs. OK, so what is really happening? There is no more a supply and demand for four-year college graduates - white-collar workers.
What does this mean for you and your family? This means that we have too many chiefs and not enough Indians. Let's look at an Indian tribe. How many chiefs can an Indian tribe have? 1 maybe 2. Today, with most Americans going to college, we have too many chiefs and very few Indians.
This is why jobs are being sent out of the country for lower payer. Immigrants are crossing the border to work the lower level jobs. Corporation are paying commission only or contracting jobs out to avoid paying vacation, healthcare, retirement pay, etc. Technology replaces employees to save money.
So what do we do? Majority of Americans will need to starting thinking and acting like Indians. How do we do this? Of course these are not the be all and end all answers - 1. Encourage youth to start working early to get experience and to start at the bottom to work their way up. 2. Guide Americans to technical and specialty colleges to create more blue-collar workers, Indians. 3. Start and network small businesses to do business amongst each other.
The above options are only recommendations. Keep in mind that we are here to serve others while fulfilling our passion and purpose. It's important that Americans start to think creatively to sustain their financial future. Do what you love and love what you do is the most important thing in life. Look at "What's Going On" and create options for yourself and your family.
Written by:
Kelley L. Jones
Editor of StartYourOwnBusiness.com
