School Makes Students Unsuited for the Workplace
In previous posts I have talked about the failure of high schools to prepare Grads for the workplace. In this post we look at work-appropriate communications.
Workplace Speech isn't Taught in most High School Classes
The last half of my career was teaching to seniors -- nearly adults. What I found is many students can't carry on adult work-appropriate communications. True, most freely chat with friends (OK, much on the level of "Beavis and Butt-Head," or the female equivalent). Quite a few can discuss issues in a study group of teens (with me listening on the side).
In previous posts I have talked about the failure of high schools to prepare Grads for the workplace. In this post we look at work-appropriate communications.
Workplace Speech isn't Taught in most High School Classes
The last half of my career was teaching to seniors -- nearly adults. What I found is many students can't carry on adult work-appropriate communications. True, most freely chat with friends (OK, much on the level of "Beavis and Butt-Head," or the female equivalent). Quite a few can discuss issues in a study group of teens (with me listening on the side).
Many supposed “A” students have a difficult time talking intelligently as an adult to an adult. When speaking directly to an adult, many students are hesitant, uncertain, or unable to respond. Many don't make eye contact, even delivering presentations. Some "A" students do great written work, but are so painfully shy or insecure they won't offer ideas or suggestions -- even when called to do so. That would frustrate a boss at work. But I think it's unlikely to happen, because those silent students are less likely to get hired!
Too Harsh?
Think I'm being too harsh? Perhaps you know high school students you think "sound" really bright. A small percentage are really smart. Yes, many have "good" grades. Some can talk intelligently about the classes they like. Some can "expound" passionately about their favorite issues.
Other students use "verbal bullying" toward teachers and adults, especially to get out of doing required work. (They have learned to intimidate, often to compensate for low reading comprehension, poor writing skills, sketchy understanding, or laziness.) Some students may sound bright, or at least outgoing or extroverted.
Employer's View
But an employer doesn't care about the student's opinions or "wonderful" knowledge.
- If the student doesn't understand the employer's needs and requirements, they won't get hired.
- If the student can't articulate what value their skills can provide, they aren't desirable.
- If the student can't apply knowledge to solve problems, they aren't useful.
- If they're smart -- but painfully shy around adults, don't speak up, or don't network with adults about jobs -- an employer won't know they exist.
- A boss won't like to be bullied out of a reasonable and necessary job expectation.
It's not just that many students won't talk to adults, or can't speak well.
Students are focused on what they like or what the school teaches. All that is mostly irrelevant to jobs or work.
Written Communications
As I have mentioned in previous posts, the work in many classes uses watered-down writing expectations. Not only are assignments often below grade level, student responses are often isolated "fill-in" words -- not complete thoughts, organized explanations or arguments. (See The Opportunity Myth in The New Teacher Project). True, some Grads have satisfactory writing skills, passable in their Freshman year in college. But much time is wasted with assignments and activities that don't use them.
Career Relevance
The primary career-readiness failure is that high schools don't apply student's writing to actual workplace documentation and communications. Many assignments are not even in a business-acceptable format. Almost ALL student writing assignments, research, and reports have no value or relevance in any job or career field (except teaching the subject, perhaps). They do not even address common workplace issues. These are missed opportunities!
Assignments could have value and relevance in career fields, and this would benefit the student tremendously. Students could learn the important issues and controversies in their chosen field, or work generally. They could learn if they even like the field, or whether they have the interest or aptitude to excel in it.
Call to Action
Students are focused on what they like or what the school teaches. All that is mostly irrelevant to jobs or work.
Written Communications
As I have mentioned in previous posts, the work in many classes uses watered-down writing expectations. Not only are assignments often below grade level, student responses are often isolated "fill-in" words -- not complete thoughts, organized explanations or arguments. (See The Opportunity Myth in The New Teacher Project). True, some Grads have satisfactory writing skills, passable in their Freshman year in college. But much time is wasted with assignments and activities that don't use them.
Career Relevance
The primary career-readiness failure is that high schools don't apply student's writing to actual workplace documentation and communications. Many assignments are not even in a business-acceptable format. Almost ALL student writing assignments, research, and reports have no value or relevance in any job or career field (except teaching the subject, perhaps). They do not even address common workplace issues. These are missed opportunities!
Assignments could have value and relevance in career fields, and this would benefit the student tremendously. Students could learn the important issues and controversies in their chosen field, or work generally. They could learn if they even like the field, or whether they have the interest or aptitude to excel in it.
Call to Action
"Outsmarting College" says that college is an expensive way to find out if your Grad:
If you're thinking about throwing a lot of tuition money at college without some thought to career probabilities, you're putting lots of money on a poor bet.
Outsmart College (and the Contribution Project) advocates helping the student make the transition to work and real-world relevance early -- before deciding to go to college (or not).
__________
- Hates the career they prepared for
- Can't succeed because they lack skills or aptitudes
If you're thinking about throwing a lot of tuition money at college without some thought to career probabilities, you're putting lots of money on a poor bet.
Outsmart College (and the Contribution Project) advocates helping the student make the transition to work and real-world relevance early -- before deciding to go to college (or not).
__________
If you are interested in REAL career prep for your child, contact me NOW!
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