Planning For an Unpredictable Future How to Respond

Planning For an Unpredictable Future: How to Respond to a World of Constant Change http: //www. dreams-goals. com/resources/workshops/wksh-unpredictable-future/ Presented to: Clients of: Orange County One-Stop Center Presented by: Kathleen E. High, M. Ed. , CCSP, FCD-I Independent Education/Career Consultant Your Dreams & Goals

Overview • Today’s job seekers need to make life decisions in a world of constant change. • You will understand what factors affect career decision making, which factors are stable, and which are not. • You will understand what you can control and what you can’t. • You will learn how to make effective decisions in a world of uncertainty and constant change. 2/5/2022 © 2011 Kathleen E. High 2

Why This Workshop • World is in a state of constant/rapid change • People still operate on unquestioned expectations/ assumptions • Many don’t see how this rapid change is affecting those expectations/ assumptions • Many don’t see how this rapid change is affecting their lives • Individuals need new “life skills” to cope with this change 2/5/2022 © 2011 Kathleen E. High 3

Today’s Assumptions: (Do you have any of these? ) • There are “one-size-fits-all” solutions to problems • There are “experts” who can give me the “right” answers to my questions/problems • A college education automatically leads to a better way of life • Once I have that “piece of paper”, I’ll be set for life • Once I have that “good job”, I’ll be set for life • There are “recession-proof” jobs out there • I have job security because…. I work for the government, have seniority, have union protection, etc. Common Theme? There is one unchanging foundation (“absolute truth”) upon which I can base my life decisions 2/5/2022 © 2011 Kathleen E. High 4

Reflect • Question: “What assumptions of an ‘unchanging foundation’ do you hold about the

What is Wrong with Holding Such Assumptions? To Answer that question, we will have Hands-On Activity Time: Task: You Have Been Given a Map • Identify “Vila Borba Park” • Start from the freeway (top of page) • Using a Highlighter Mark a Route: • From the Freeway to the Park 2/5/2022 © 2011 Kathleen E. High 6

Why Was That Activity Harder for Some People? • What Just Happened? • What is the Difference between the Maps? • How Does This Relate to Your Experience?

Why Was That Activity Harder for Some People? Differentiation Failures - Frozen Evaluation 1: • Viewing a Current Situation Based on Past Experience • Assuming Nothing Has Changed • Trying to Navigate the Current World from an Old Map 1 Haney (1992)

Today’s Reality The Challenge: We are living in a world of constant, rapid change

Today’s Reality Following Videos Illustrate These Changes and Consequences • Generational Differences • https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=ma. Cqagwd. FBU • Shift Happens • https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=W 8 l. BMFw 2 x. FA • Technology is Replacing Jobs • https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=ux 2_Y-q. C 8 a. M • Responding to Change • http: //www. dreams-goals. com/resources/workshops/wksh-unpredictable-future/ • (from the movie, “Life As a House”) • Trends Come and Go • (from the movie, “A lot Like Love”) 2/5/2022 © 2011 Kathleen E. High 10

Today’s Reality What is Causing This Rapid Change? • Demographic Shifts • Ethnic Diversity • Religious Diversity • Generational Influence Shifts • (Baby Boomers vs. Millennials) • Advances in Technology/Automation • Which Lead to: • • Globalization Sociological Changes Cultural Values Changes Institutional Upheaval Fluctuating “Labor Market Trends” Resistance to Rapid Change Opportunists Further Complicating Matters, Leading to Regulation 2/5/2022 © 2011 Kathleen E. High 11

What is the Effect? The Following Patterns and Themes Are Emerging: • Empowerment of the Masses • (Especially oppressed groups [i. e. minorities, women, LGBTQ, disabled, abused, etc. ]) • Generational Developmental Advances • (i. e. Mark Zuckerberg [Millennial] builds on Bill Gates’ [Baby Boomer] work) • Cultural Transformation (In the USA at least) • Conformity to Individual Expression (Collectivism to Individualism) • Thinking to Feeling Orientation (Decisions based on logic/rules vs based on concern for others) • Loss of Gatekeeper Control • • (i. e. : Libraries [information] vs. Search Engines) (Mass media vs. Social media) (Fewer bosses have secretaries to control access and communication) (Flatter organizational structures [fewer levels between leaders and bottom-level people]) • Institutional Upheaval • Every man-made institution struggles to respond to changes • Integration and Forced Tolerance • (People Working Together - Online collaboration tools) 2/5/2022 © 2011 Kathleen E. High 12

Today’s Reality Where is This Change Leading? • Reality is: No One Really Knows for Sure • Experts in Many Different Industries Continue to Make ‘Educated Guesses’ and Predictions • Current Labor Market Trends: Reflect What’s Hot and What’s Not • Future Labor Market Projections – Based on Demographic Changes and Anticipated Advances in Technology • No One Can Anticipate Changes Based on the Unforeseen 2/5/2022 © 2011 Kathleen E. High 13

Today’s Reality: Is Anyone Trying to Address This? Many Institutions Attempt to Address the Challenges Associated with Today’s Changing World: • Career Development: Connect Individuals with Career Satisfaction • Mental Health: Connect Individuals to Needed Support • Non-Profits: Connect Individuals to Other Forms of Support • Higher Education: Connect Education to In-demand Skills • Workforce Development: Connect Workers to In-demand Jobs • Economic Development: Connect Business Resources to Create Jobs • Government: Connect Laws and Funding to Assist Above Agencies • Mass Media: Connect the Public to the Message 2/5/2022 © 2011 Kathleen E. High 14

Today’s Reality: Are There Places for Improvement? Based on What is Already Being Done, Where Can Improvements Be Made? • Support for Individuals: • Most adults can see the change, but do not know how to respond • When those changes affect their lives, they may not know where to turn for help • Most of higher education is based on the assumption that the student has engaged in appropriate career development in the first place • Many may not make the best choices due to lack of information, resources or support • Many may waste time, money and energy pursuing ill-fitted or ill-informed decisions • Many may likely experience increased stress and anxiety due to feeling powerless • Faith-based Institutions: • Church leaders can recognize the pressure and affect on individuals and their need for support • Some small, limited, and non-connected faith-based non-profits and ministries for job search support • Faith leaders can provide the resources that empower individuals to become skilled helpers • Collaboration: • Different institutions collaborate to address limitations in their ability to respond to needs • The Key: Get the right help from the right person at the right time 2/5/2022 © 2011 Kathleen E. High 15

Reflect • Question: “How are these changes affecting your life, world, job, career and/or

Today’s Reality The Response: How Should You Respond to a World of Rapid Change?

Coping with Constant Change So How Can You Respond to and Cope with Constant Change? • Engage in Continual Self Awareness • Your Generation Will Affect Your Attitude • Monitor Your Attitudes and Expectations • Develop Good Life Skills • Accept Responsibility for Your Career • Accept a Need for Multiple Careers in Your Lifetime • Develop Good Job Search Skills • Accept a Need for Lifelong Learning 2/5/2022 © 2011 Kathleen E. High 18

Engage in Continual Self Awareness • Who you are • How you are gifted • How you are NOT gifted • What are your interests and values • What kinds of careers/jobs will suit you • What kinds of careers/jobs will NOT suit you • How you change, grow, and adapt over time 2/5/2022 © 2011 Kathleen E. High 19

Self Awareness Follow Up Activities: Research Career Information & Labor Market Trends OC One-Stop Workshops: Empowering You: Job Seeker Strategies Transferable Skills Job Success Strategies: Attitudes and Body Language Overcoming Barriers Persons with Disabilities & Employment Classes: Consider taking a career class at your local college Presenter’s Handouts, Workshops, and Consulting: True Self Generational Values Success Values Survey Managing Conflicting Priorities Career Assessments 2/5/2022 © 2011 Kathleen E. High 20

Your Generation Will Affect Your Attitude • Matures (Born before 1946) • Baby Boomers (Born between 1946 – 1964) • Generation X (Born between 1965 – 1977) • Millennials (Born 1977 – 2000) Follow Up Activities: Visit Career Center Workshop: Career Assessment & Interpretation Classes: Consider taking a career class at your local college Handouts: True Self Generational Values Success Values Survey 2/5/2022 © 2011 Kathleen E. High 21

Generational Differences • Grew up with: Technology, Diversity, Change, “No Child Left Behind” Millennials: • Attitudes & Strengths: Adaptable, Tech Savvy, Tolerant (1981 – 2000) • Weaknesses: Want a job on their terms • Grew up with: Uncertainty Generation X: • Attitudes & Strengths: What’s In It For Me? , Want “Work/Life Balance” (1965 – 1980) • Weaknesses: Not loyal to employers Baby Boomers: • Grew up with: Prosperity, Stability, Equal Opportunity, (1946 – 1964) • Attitudes & Strengths: Value Goal Achievement • Weaknesses: Workaholics, Not Prepared for Changing World Grew up with: Great Depression, WWII, Big Institutions Matures: Attitudes & Strengths: Value Tradition, Loyalty, Hard Work, Discipline (Before 1946) Weaknesses: Less Comfortable with Change and Diversity 2/5/2022 © 2011 Kathleen E. High 22

Monitor Your Attitudes & Expectations (The foundation of your decisions) • Are you still looking for that unchanging foundation upon which to base your life? • Recognize and accept the world in which you live • Are you still expecting job security in a changing world? 2/5/2022 © 2011 Kathleen E. High 23

What Foundation Are Your Career Decisions Based On? 2/5/2022 © 2011 Kathleen E. High

Develop Good Life Skills • • 2/5/2022 Adaptability Resilience Resourcefulness Strong work ethic Self-discipline Self-motivation Knowing priorities Ability to focus on a task/goal © 2011 Kathleen E. High 25

Develop Good Life Skills • • 2/5/2022 (Cont’d) Healthy boundaries Coping skills Stress management Money management (budgeting and saving) Relationship management Interdependence Respect for authority Minimize Simultaneous Transitions © 2011 Kathleen E. High 26

“Life Skills” Follow Up Activities: Research Career Information & Labor Market Trends OC One-Stop Workshops: Empowering You: Job Seeker Strategies Job Success Strategies: Attitudes and Body Language Overcoming Barriers Persons with Disabilities & Employment Successful Financial Strategies Classes: Consider taking a career class at your local college Presenter’s Handouts, Workshops and Consulting: True Self Generational Values Success Values Survey Boundaries Managing Conflicting Priorities Meeting Financial Responsibilities 2/5/2022 © 2011 Kathleen E. High 27

Accept Responsibility For Your Own Career • Expect The Unexpected • Allow Time to Process the Unexpected • Remember Unexpected Is Not The “End Of The World” • Think In Terms Of “Journey” Rather Than “Goal” • Continuously Maintain Your Employability • Cooperate When Your Employer Needs to Make Changes • Develop Good Job Search Skills 2/5/2022 © 2011 Kathleen E. High 28

Accept Responsibility For Your Own Career Follow Up Activities: Research Career Information & Labor Market Trends OC One-Stop Workshops: Empowering You: Job Seeker Strategies Overcoming Barriers Persons with Disabilities & Employment Labor Market Trends Classes: Consider taking a career class at your local college Presenter’s Handouts, Workshops and Consulting: Paradigm Shifts The Journey Reaching Career Goals How to Get Your Dream Career 2/5/2022 © 2011 Kathleen E. High 29

A Need for Multiple Careers • Today’s workers will hold 10 -14 jobs by 38 years old • The economy-driven needs will affect your job marketability • Be aware of how trends affect your career field Follow Up Activities: Research Career Information & Labor Market Trends OC One-Stop Workshops: Labor Market Information Networking/Hidden Job Market Veteran Networking Classes: Consider taking a career class at your local college Presenter’s Handouts, Workshops and Consulting: The Journey Reaching Career Goals How to Get Your Dream Career 2/5/2022 © 2011 Kathleen E. High 30

Develop Good Job Search Skills • Be aware of the latest trends in job search • Maintain an updated resume and network • Know and where to find jobs in your profession • Have good interviewing skills • Know where to find “survival jobs”, etc. 2/5/2022 © 2011 Kathleen E. High 31

Develop Good Job Search Skills Follow Up Activities: Research Career Information & Labor Market Trends OC One-Stop Workshops: One-Stop Center/WIOA Orientation Empowering You: Job Seeker Strategies Labor Market Trends Overcoming Barriers Persons with Disabilities & Employment Veteran Job Search Winning Resumes Interviewing Techniques Transferable Skills Linked. In-Beginner/Intermediate Networking/Hidden Job Market 2/5/2022 © 2011 Kathleen E. High 32

A Need for “Lifelong Learning” • Know the difference between transferable and technical skills • Develop strong transferable skills • Critical Thinking • Communication • Interpersonal Skills • Engage in lifelong learning of technical skills • Equipment and operational processes – (including computer skills) • Know how to educate yourself • Receive input from technical experts loosely • Keep up with technological changes in your profession • Recognize when changes will require a paradigm shift 2/5/2022 © 2011 Kathleen E. High 33

Lifelong Learning – Follow Up Activities: Research Education & Career Options & Labor Market Trends OC One-Stop Workshops: Transferable Skills Presenter’s Handouts, Workshops, and Consulting: Learning Pyramid Three Sensory Learning Styles Rote Learning Lifelong Learning Options Paradigm Shift Educational Choices You Won't Regret Later Learning Strategies and Career Success 2/5/2022 © 2011 Kathleen E. High 34

Reflect • Questions: 1. “Which of these coping skills do you already possess? ” 2. Which of these coping skills can/should you develop? ” • Share with your neighbor your thoughts 2/5/2022 © 2011 Kathleen E. High 35

Summary • The World Is Changing Rapidly • Note What You Can’t Control and What You Can Control • Can’t Control: • • How You are Wired Advances in Technology Economic Shifts The Marketplace and Its Trends • Can Control: • • • 2/5/2022 How You Respond to How You are Wired Skills and Experiences You Choose to Develop Your Education and Career Decisions How You Prepare for Rapid Change How You Respond to Rapid Change © 2011 Kathleen E. High 36