I don’t know what to do with my life – What college or university course should I take? What job should I do?
Every year, thousands of school leavers (and their families) will make two important decisions that will significantly impact their life and future.
What course should I take after leaving school?
What job should I do upon graduation?
It’s OK for people to be clueless about their future. School leavers are asked to select a college or university major or course that could impact their entire life and future at a time when they barely know who they are or where they’re going. Even adults struggle with these issues!
In an environment where employers are demanding more flexibility, adaptability, short-term contracts, and project-based work, we must be able to set the right foundations for our young people to successfully navigate their future and careers. This includes selecting the right kind of education that will prepare them to make money for themselves and contribute positively to society and community.
Balancing the work equation
In understanding the uncertainties and challenges experienced by people seeking employment and finding solutions to overcome these challenges, it is helpful to think about the future of work from two perspectives – the supply side and the demand side.
The sweet spot is where both demand and supply meet at the highest possible price (i.e., salaries).
The supply-side
Workers are educated to supply the required employable skills, experience and knowledge to employers. To make or receive money, for-impact organisations receive funding or donations. For-profit organisations make money from their customers.
In return, workers get paid for their contribution to generate value for their employers.
When workers don’t have the required skills, experience and knowledge that will help their employers, they are not hired and will not have jobs.
Timing and positioning are important. This matters as an oversupply of labour will cause salaries and wages to be suppressed caused primarily by technology and automation.
The demand side
On the other side of the equation, employers require timely and appropriate skills, experience and knowledge to get the work done in the shortest possible time and at the lowest cost. Without the required employable skills, work will not get done.
Workers wanting a job, or career must, therefore, fully meet the requirements and expectations of employers so that they get hired. The ability to supply what employers want will be the key to a sustainable income stream for the worker.