Scott D Jones - Staffing Consultant - Toledo, Ohio

Recently I have been involved in a hot topic about our current College and University system that is in place on Modite.  We have been discussing the current procedures they have in place and how that it may not be in the best interest for the student.  I will talk about my own personal experience which you may not agree with.  Please post all of your comments so that we can discuss how your experience may have been better or if you have had a similar experience I would love to hear about it. 

 

I will list the 5 hurdles that I believe Colleges and Universities are facing right now.  Both the good and the bad will be discussed why I think something is a good practice in place right now or why I think something needs to change.  At the end of each section I will have a question for you to answer.

 

1. Part-Time Professors
2. Overcrowded Classrooms
3. Real Life Experience
4. Cost Vs. Value
5. The Final Result “Career”

 

First I will talk about Part-Time professors.  I think this is a failing process because Part-Time professors do not get paid like they are a Full-Time professor.  This means that more than likely they will have another career as their main source of income.  The problem is that Part-Time professors cannot focus 100% of their time and energy on the student’s education because their other position will require their attention as well.  Every time their other position will get the greater amount of attention over the student because they have to retain that main source of income.  Rightly so but should it be at the students expense they are not getting the same amount of commitment? 

 

However the advantage of having a Part-Time professor is their real life experience that they can offer.  Obviously if you are taking their class you have some interest in learning about their career and if that is what you want for your future career.  You can also pick up a mentor along the way to help you become successful and talk with you about their goals and failures and how they got where they are.  This is important to learn from doing and from someone who has had the experience so that you do not make the same mistakes they have made in the past.  I will end it with that sentence or else I will get to far into number three.

 

Question 1:  Do you think it is worth the lack of time commitment and ability to focus 100% on the students from the Part-Time professor to learn real life experience?

 

The second hurdle I believe Colleges are facing is the over crowded classroom.  With the recession in full swing many unemployed workers are returning to Colleges to learn new skills and open new doors for themselves.  My problem is when they have over 100+ students in one lecture hall feverishly writing down every piece of literature they see on the projector screen.  To many times have I been in a huge classroom doing nothing but writing down notes for the entire hour and a half never actually listening to what the professor said and having no interest or ability to learn the information. 

 

The only advantage to having large classroom sizes that I could think of is the networking opportunities and meeting others with similar career aspirations.  Having group projects to work in and also study groups is a great way to meet people and learn different things from them.  Utilize this time to learn work styles and personality traits from people to help you read individuals actions this will help you in the workplace.  Teamwork and the ability to work with others is a great trait to learn while in college so your office coworker relationships can develop and grow while in your career.

 

Question 2:  How do you work best in a large group or by yourself? 1, 5, 15, 50

 

The third obstacle colleges are struggling with I find to be the most important.  How do you offer real life experience in colleges and universities?  Most classes they teach you how to take notes, study, meet deadlines, etc. but how do you teach a college student important life experience to help them meet their goals to find a great career.  Our colleges have been employing very young professors that have little to no real life experiences and they are trying to teach about it.  When you have professors that complete their under grad to continue on and get their graduate degree and then they go and get hired directly from the university.  This is great for them they have a great schedule and a secure job but they do not have real life in a workplace or office setting experience to offer them.  There must be a steady median to work out in which colleges offer more than just an internship for real life experience to the students.  Most of the internships that I had been offered included me doing a lot of paperwork and some kind of research that had nothing to do with what I wanted in a career.

 

I do think in some cases it is a good thing to have younger professors teaching as they may be able to relate better and also they may be more subject to change compared to the tenured professors.  Generally tenured professors do not like change so they stick with what they have always taught which is not always what is happening in the real world.  For instance look at the last couple of years if a marketing teacher still talks solely about billboard and television advertisement to sustain a business that student will be far behind the curve.  In regards to Marketing they must talk about the age of Social Media Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook all have been created in the past couple of years but are influential to the ways the business world operates.  I think some of the younger professors are more likely to adapt to the change and help the college students benefit from it.

 

Question 3:  Do you think internships alone offer enough real world experience for college students to be an asset to a company?

 

We all know the value of a college education is priceless.  At least that is what we have had stuffed into our brains from our parents and role models alike since many of us could talk.  In all reality how can we put a price on what our college education is worth?  I will tell you any College or University anywhere has no problem telling you what it is worth and it is always astronomical.  Since I went to college in my hometown I lucked out and did not have to pay housing fees every year.  I recently went on to a website from the College Board it helps you calculate the approximate cost that will be associated with going to a four year college.  Just attending an in state public college for four years will cost you over $80,000 not including books or any other ridiculous charge they like to get you with.  My main focus in this section is the fact that you have to pay out that much for college I think it should be worth it. 

 

I do understand that colleges have expenses that they must pay and that some of that cost is directly a reflection on tuition.  Also with that tuition they can expand their research and facilities to make the college more credible which is very important.  I will say it is extremely important to have a college degree in this time that we live in as just about any professional position you apply for any longer you must have a 4 year degree.  You should also consider a college degree an invaluable asset and a great accomplishment. 

 

Question 4:  Here I have two questions the first.  If college were offered to everyone at no extra cost would it be as prestigious to have a degree?  If college cost over a million dollars for four years would you still attend?

 

The final barrier I see that colleges have been running into helping the students achieve the final result a career.  Generation Y has recently been hit with a stunning 18% unemployment rate.  With over 20% of that statistic being recent graduates.  What are colleges and universities doing to help college students find their careers?  Many of them are offering job boards and some are even reaching out to the community to help place some of the recent graduates.  What skills are offered in college classrooms to help them reach their goals of obtaining a meaningful career?  Some possible reasons Generation Y is having difficulty finding a job.  Prior generations are sticking in their jobs in this tough economy in fear of leaving their current positions for better ones.  Due to unemployment prior generations with greater experience are willing to take positions paying less than what they usually make.  Think of it like this one candidate a recent graduate with 4 years of part time retail experience working while attending classes.  The second candidate has 10 years experience in the field you are looking for and they are willing to take a little bit more than the recent grad.  The choice of which candidate to choose is obvious.

 

There are some great benefits to the prior generations holding on to all the jobs.  Many Gen Yer’s are turning to entrepreneurship to fill that void in unemployment.  We have been very successful in creating new business models that prior generations would have never thought of.  Companies involved in Social Media and online networking have ballooned over the past couple years because of college students and recent college grads coming up with new and innovative ideas.  The ideas they come up with everyday will mold what our business model will look like in the future.

 

Question 5:  Do you think Gen Y has been driven to entrepreneurship more so than any other generation?

 

Like I stated earlier this is just my opinion from my own experience I look forward to reading your comments and will reply to each one personally.

 

-Scott

 

People have dubbed this as the most useless machine in the world.  I would have to disagree though it has a purpose.  Even if its purpose is to turn itself off it still has one.  To many other machines are built that really are useless and have no purpose even to the extent of shutting themselves off.  I think this is a pretty cool little gadget even if I would not benefit using one. 

Scott

As we wrapped up 2009 last week I began to think about the new year and decade we rang in on Friday.  After the count down people began to speak about there resolutions and what they wanted from 2010.  That got me to start thinking about my own personal ambitions for 2010 and what goals I would set forth.  Initially I thought about obvious things like becoming more fiscally sound, getting in better shape, and so on.  Then I focused on how can I achieve all of the goals and maximize my results.  I am going to look to Jim Carey's philosophy in Yes Man and try to say yes to more opportunities that present themselves compared to saying no.  Obviously I am not going to take it to the extreme that he did but just opening myself up to new things more often than taking the easy way out with a no.  As we all have a tendancy to gravitate towards the easy way out but each opportunity may only knock once and it may be hidden in a disguise of hard work.  What are you willing to say yes to?  Are you open to taking dancing lessons?  Learning a new language?  Or are you planning on saying yes to taking more risks to possibly maximize your 2010?  Like my grandfather always told me "you can only get out of life what you put in to it."

As my first blog of the New Year and decade I wish everyone a prosperous 2010.  I am looking forward to growth and many new blog entries to discuss with you in the new year!

Today I write about an inspiration to all of us Butch Lumpkin.  It does not matter if you partake in the watching or playing of sports this man should teach us all a life lesson.  No matter what life throws at you continue to lift your head and do the things that you love.  Watching this video it has inspired me as I think of the things that I have in the past given up on saying it is not for me or it is to hard.  I could not imagine being in this gentlemans shoes and trying to learn a sport let alone anything and continuing to stay positive.  We should try to be more like Butch staying positive.  Learning and practicing what it means to never give up and always strive to be the best no matter what challenges lay in front of you.  Always keep trying and there is nothing that is impossible if you put your mind to it.

With Christmas screaming down towards us and the ground begins to freeze what does that mean for business?  Not just the Chirstmas Parties and the Potlucks but how does the holiday season affect your business?  Some companies base their entire lively hood on the last two months of the year.  Such as a ham manufacturer or turkey farm this season is what keeps them in business.  Not only is business good during this time of year but I think that people generally are happier around this season.  I do not know if it is all the extra sweets or what it is that really causes this perhaps it is the Christmas Spirit I do not really know.  Generally though it just seems like nothing can be that bad and things are going good.  Even in a tough economy people are starting to look at the brighter side of things.  All in all Christmas is one of my favorite times of year bringing friends and family together and employees all in the same.  Christmas parties, hams, turkeys, or cards whatever it is your company offers it always seems to boost the employee morale which is especially important this year.  So even though your company may not have had the spectacular year that everyone always wishes for we are still employed.  This will also unify the employees as we get through this time together and come out stronger because of it.  Eventually it will turn around and once it does it will be back like it used to be with abundant work for everyone.  As I sign off I wish everyone the best of Holiday Wishes Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 

Once again millions of shoppers will be waiting in endless lines and storming the cash registers with their latest and greatest "toys" for the holiday season.  Over 172 million made their way out in 2008 on BLACK FRIDAY.  What it is about $200 off a flat screen tv makes a person ravenous still baffles me.  Although it is hard to not get caught up in all of the glitz and glamour of waking up at 2AM to catch the greatest deal. 

I will be partaking in the festivities but I on the other hand have no great agenda or long shopping list to scour every store from Best Buy to Walmart.  Most likely I will pick up a couple of cheap DVDs and maybe a few Christmas presents along the way.  The best thing about BLACK FRIDAY is to sit back and relax and watch the show begin.  It is the only day of the year two soccer moms could come to blows over who is going to get the last Wii that Walmart has in stock.  Another interesting fact is that someone was actually trampled to death last year at a Walmart when they opened the doors.

Did you know that the average shopper last year spent $372.57 and total spending was up to $41 billion.  That is really a jump start hopefully this year we will see the same success with increasing numbers.  My prediction this year for BLACK FRIDAY is that a lot of people will gravitate towards online deals that retailers are offering.  I think this will have huge success in the group of people that do not want to stand in line or wait out in the cold.  However it could hurt sales with not having impulse buyers in your store.  A lot of sales going on that day generally happen because people tend to pick up things they may not have bought otherwise, because it was a good deal.

As for retailers it marks the kickoff of their last month to get in the "Black" to actually make a profit in this tough economy.  I found a website www.blackfriday2009.com that has all the ads in one spot.  They also offer advice on how to get the items and the best strategy for all you shoppers out there.  It is official we are now in the Christmas season.   Although it is very exciting it will be gone just as fast as it came so take some time to enjoy it.

Best of luck to all of those who are partaking in the BLACK FRIDAY sales and I am looking forward to relaxing and watching football all day this Thursday (GO COLTS!). 

The video of the week is a particularly interesting interview on the Conan O'Brien Show.  Conan is interveiwing Louis CK a comedian when he starts to talk about how everyone does not appreciate the technology we have.  This video somewhat humbled me because I am definetely that guy that gets upset or frustrated when something takes longer than expected.  We are in the "I want it now" era in which we depend on technology to be the fastest and slow down or take away any frustrations.  I do not necessarily perceive this to be a bad thing like they are saying in the interview.  Many innovations are being crafted or have been crafted by the "I want it now" group.  Where would you be if you did not have your cell phone with all the applications that allow you access to an unlimited wealth of knowledge at all times.  This group has changed how people are living and also how companies operate on a day to day basis.  As technology expands and we are getting more accustomed to it I believe we shoud learn as much as we can before we are passed by it.  On that same note sometimes we have to stop to smell the roses.  We have to appreciate the technology we have in our time and embrace it and look to it to help mold our society into the tomorrow we are all moving towards.  Overall I think this video is quite funny and somewhat true but they speak in a negative connotation when it should be a positive outlook of where our world is headed. 

This video of the week does not directly relate to business but when I first saw it I was so shocked that I had to say something.  It is a soccer match between the New Mexico Lobos and BYU.  In it there is a little bit more than rough play.  Now I am no soccer specialist or analyst but with playing indoor the past couple years I have a new respect for the game.  There are times when you get heated and in the passion of going after the ball you knock some people around.  This video however just goes to show you when unsportsmanship starts to come in to play and becomes down right dirty.  Throughout the entire game this type of play was conducted by number 15 on the Lobos team.  I have not ever seen anything like this on a soccer field it looks like something I have seen out on the ice when I played hockey years ago.

Even though this video is not directly related to business I think sometimes we can also lose sight and play a little dirty in the business world.  Let this be a reminder to you that even though you think that no one is watching that someone is.  She was not ejected from the game or carded or suspended but with negative actions come consequences.  Number 15 has lost a lot of credibility I am sure with her team and with many others will never look at her the same after that game.  This video was the most shared news article on ESPN and I am sure that is not the only major publication that this was received.  So always make sure you are playing fairly and by the rules or else you could be put in the negative spotlight just as 15 has been.

Today I am talking about someone I have known for about 6 months now.  He is an entrepreneur starting a web development company called BounceHost.  His name is Zach Ferres he recently presented about Social Media in your Business.  http://www.slideshare.net/zcferres/social-media-in-your-business Here is a link to the SlideShare presentation on Social Media.  Be sure to check out his site as he also has a blog similar to this one speaking about Social Media and important news in the business world.

It is that time of the week again in which I share with you my favorite youtube video of the week.  This week I have a video that explains relationship selling in a very easy to understand format.  They talk about selling soap and it is a very creative video with simple yet good information that many people over complicate.  Please comment on your best practices on selling your "soap".