In today’s evolving economy, many of the jobs that exist today won’t exist in the near future. Robotics and artificial intelligence are changing the world as we know it. If your job can be automated, it will be automated. For someone, fifty years of age or older, this may not affect you as much, but it will affect your kids. I think about my kids’ futures a lot and I worry about their ability to adapt to our forthcoming economy. In my view, people who have the ability to read, write and create will always be in demand. This is the primary reason why I believe in a liberal arts education. Most people think of college in terms of vocational training. I never have. Accounting and engineering degrees might provide the best chance for a good job directly out of college, but I worry for people who lock themselves down one specific track so early in their careers. What happens when those jobs become automated? More specifically, people who can solve problems, communicate effectively, and lead others, will thrive in tomorrows economy. You also will have to be really good at what you do. Having a keen awareness about the world we live in will guide you in a good direction, career wise. By studying history, philosophy, economics or English, students acquire the ability to assess a situation based on written documents, form an opinion and advocate for a particular solution. Skills like those, may actually prepare our kids better for tomorrow’s job market.
Selling during a downturn required a more strategic approach, but the opportunities for growth and expansion are available to the savviest of companies. Here are some of the best ideas I’ve read about.
I remember with NAR, the National Association of REALTORS®, invited me to participate on a panel session on diversity at their national convention back in 2002. I had never been to an NAR convention, but had heard that they were huge with 20,000+ attendees.