The Weekly Ideas Roundup:
The top five most important stories for parents on the future of learning and work
The Weekly Ideas Roundup:
Issue 20
03.04.2023
Welcome to our parents-focused roundup on this week's top developments and stories shaping the future of work, learning, and life readiness for our kids. And thank you to LongRange community member Rachna Choubey for sending us the article on the rise of the non-linear career.
Thanks for reading and supporting!
1. "Gen Z" workforce struggling to cope with challenges of early careers, survey finds."
Regarding career readiness for our kids, we need to do more on mental wellness and personal management so that they are better prepared to handle the stresses of early work-life. Because right now, most are struggling. The Boston-based Mary Christie Institute recently surveyed over 1000 professionals in their 20s with bachelor's degrees. According to the study, more than half needed emotional or mental health support and experienced burnout at least once a week. More than a third said their work environment negatively impacted mental health.
2. "Mirco-credentials are still the good idea no one gets."
Alternative credentials are the promising upskilling pathway that no one still really understands. Three recent studies highlight that employers, learners, and colleges need clarification about the quality and verifiability of programs - preventing them from being used more often or effectively.
3. The Non-Linear Career Is The New Normal.”
The 60+ year career and the accelerated changes in what the market wants and rewards mean that the non-linear job is the new normal. But we overwhelmingly are not prepping kids to think about their jobs or work lives like that. Schools are still doing the opposite—more to come on this topic and closing the framework, skills, and planning gap.
4. "Recent survey found that 41% of students don't have financial literacy classes in high school."
This is a big problem and a glaring skills gap. Especially as the next generation will need a higher level of financial literacy and strategy than ever since careers and work at all levels will be more fluid and precarious, and the number of sophisticated financial decisions they must make will increase.
Ending on a positive note -
5. “A great idea here: Virtual Reality Gives Kids Career Experiences.”
"We're submerging students in scenarios that we can't duplicate or recreate in the four walls of the classroom," You can't be what you don't see. One of the biggest challenges for most families and communities to overcome is the limitation around imagining what jobs and careers can look kike. This fantastic program in Virginia uses virtual reality to show high schoolers what it's like to work in healthcare. More programs like this could change lives and talent pipelines.
The LongRange is a community and platform for parents and educators to share ideas, insights, and tactics to help their kids be betterer prepared to navigate the future of work, learning, and life. Your feedback and input will allow us to do this more effectively!
Have an interview to suggest, an article we should share or program, or a product we should highlight? Get In Touch: takethelongrange@gmail.com