But I Have A College Degree....

A student of mine approached me this week seeking advice on how to increase her professional competitiveness.  I asked her what skills she possessed and her response was simply, “Well, I’ll soon have a college degree”. Her response is quite common amongst students.  Why is a job expected or entitled after graduation?  It has been said that a college degree is now considered the new high school diploma.  This means that the majority of applicants out in the market already have a college degree, thus making a college graduate more generic.  It certainly doesn’t guarantee anyone a job after graduation.  Often times, employers complain that their “educated” new hires lack basic qualifications and struggle to keep up in today’s evolving business climate.  So what does it take to stand out from the hundreds of other applicants?

I recommend that students have an extra talent or skill before graduating to set them apart from their future competition.  There are a couple skills which do that.  The first skill is to learn a second language.  Globalization offers you great opportunity to succeed in many industries, presupposing you have the ability to communicate with different cultures.  If you want to be the most competitive and desired applicant or qualified employee, know a second language.

Another skill is customer service which should incorporate cultural competence.  As our planet blends into one big melting pot of nationalities, ethnicities, languages, religions, and beliefs, you’re ability to communicate and build relationships with people very different from yourself, will lead you to larger networks and therefore more opportunities for success.

Lastly, become technology savvy.  I know this skill can be scary and intimidating for many of you but it is necessary for most careers.  Even competence in basic computer programs will increase your worth as an employee.  In the next few years, our world will experience significant change due to technological advancements. For example, social business is a force moving at immeasurable speeds that everyone can benefit from.  Don’t fight it or avoid it, understand it and master it.  Only a small percentage of people use social media and social business in its most effective measure.

Within the next few weeks, I will invite industry leaders within Higher Education, Social Business, and Cross Cultural Education to join me via video blogs to contribute towards our conversations regarding how these skills can increase your competitive edge within our global market.

To Teach or Not to Teach

If qualified teachers are leaving the industry and college students change majors to abandon their goal of teaching, won’t the demand for qualified and experience educators significantly rise in the near future? Yes.  Schools, colleges, and universities will be searching for teachers and professors to fill future positions created by those who have left, opted out, or retired.  If the qualified applicant pool is shrinking, then aspiring teachers or experienced teachers who remain in the industry will soon be in demand.  Don’t be afraid of change. The teaching industry must evolve for it is dependent upon advances in research, technology, and the continuous changes of societal needs. The good news is, we will find that these changes will create new job positions, new programs, and new classes; thus requiring the employment of more qualified teachers and administrators. The supply and demand relationship will soon be in the favor of the professional who advanced their education and experience during this recession.

I encourage those working on becoming a public educator or higher education professor to stay the course.  This is the time to invest in yourself.  As the economy struggles to recover, pursue another academic degree or educational skill for that extra competitive edge.  I suggest becoming fluent in an educational IT application, learn a new language, enroll in Graduate School, or complete a new certificate.  With these skills, you will soon find a world desperately needing your services. 

Education has become a global industry, interconnected by a limitless and evolving curriculum, online education, study abroad programs, private and public schools, vocational institutions, and a domestic and international need for qualified educators. Be steadfast, market yourself, and we will once again embrace a thriving profession.

Welcome To My Blog

My purpose is to facilitate effective learning and preparation for you to thrive in a competitive global market. As a University instructor, researcher, published scholar, and lifelong learner I am fascinated with the most effective ways to prepare successful students, faculty, global business leaders, Expatriates, and Expatriate Families for international success. All realms of life are interconnected on the global scale.  Business, religion, environment, politics, education, and public health are industries which you have power to influence and manipulate.  My blogs are a continuous and interactive discussion on how you can be better prepared for professional success in today’s competitive global community. Let's expand my blogs to discuss how higher education, social business, cross-cultural training can synergize resources to accomplish a common goal. 

After years of experience in Higher Education, I investigate how the most effective instructional models can be applied in business to enhance the efficiency of professional development.  Regardless if you’re a college student or business professional, you will benefit greatly by expanding your capacity to learn, develop, and adapt in our evolving world market.  Break through the limitations which restrict your potential for achievement by joining me as I introduce strategies and concepts to improve your domestic and international success.  I look forward to getting to know who you are, your business strategies and ideas, and how we can work together to improve our professional standing.

"As a lifelong learner, I will be a better version of myself tomorrow than I am today.” Tara Madden-Dent