8 Tips For Success In Life After School

The raison d’etre for the work I do is to help kids be future-ready. As I’ve said over and over, schools are not doing enough to help our children navigate a VUCA future. A FT supplement on how to choose a rewarding career had some great tips for success in life after school. I am sharing these tips here and adding my take on how even kids in elementary school can start preparing for the real world.

Do your research

Often times young people do not know a sector or career-path well enough to understand the skills needed for the job. Online resources can help. One caveat is that the nature of jobs is changing so fast that the skills needed are rapidly evolving as well. In Ohio, for example, electric cars are starting to reshape jobs and companies. Plants are being retooled for electric vehicles and batteries, and thousands of workers are being asked to pick up new skills.

Implication for an eight year old: the ability to rapidly learn new skills is going to be more important than ever. Learning how to learn is a skill in itself.

Network

Ask for career advice from friends, family, contacts and even strangers on LinkedIn. However, avoid being trapped in a bubble. Say you come from a family of doctors and many family friends are also in the medical profession. It’s easy to be led to the belief that your career also lies in medicine. Ask for advice from folks from different backgrounds. Your ideal job may be inspired by an unexpected source.

Implication for an eight year old: expose your child to a wide range of career choices and get them to speak to friends and family who work in different fields, especially those working in jobs that did not exist until very recently.

Remember there are many fulfilling careers

There are jobs that do not only prize intellectual ability. AI cannot replace skilled jobs such as plumbing, cooking and caring. Some of the most interesting people I know do not work at a desk.

Implication for an eight year old: learn to use your hands. Build things. Be dexterous. Find your passions and talents. Go out in nature.

Accept that university is not for everyone

This is one I feel strongly about. Not everyone is suited for college life and not every job requires a university degree. In January, the governor of Pennsylvania removed college degree requirement for most state jobs. I believe assessing candidates based on skills and experience rather than academic credentials will become the norm.

Implication for an eight year old: stop telling your child to work towards getting into a good university. Optimise for developing a broad range of human skills instead. Read issue 46 In The Age of AI, Major In Being Human.

Don’t think a job is forever

Most careers in future will involve multiple activities and employers. Besides the ability to learn new skills, this requires a mindset shift as well. Young people need to be prepared to constantly reinvent themselves.

Implication for an eight year old: learn to look around the corner. Read widely, learn about the world, have a point-of-view on what the world will look like 5, 10, 15 years from now.

Acquire hard and soft skills

Technical skills like coding and digital marketing are useful, but perhaps even more important are life skills like critical thinking, collaboration, communication, creativity, problem-solving etc.

Implication for an eight year old: be intentional about developing life skills. There are different ways to acquire these skills. Doyobi is one way, through collaborative online adventures that foster essential 21st century skills, real world literacy & a love for learning beyond the classroom. Sign up here.

Value experiences as well as qualifications

Employers value work experience, volunteering, family support and activities outside the classroom that demonstrate leadership, initiative, compassion and teamwork.

Implication for an eight year old: do stuff outside of the classroom and outside of school. Volunteer in your community. Play sports. Start an entrepreneurship project.

Keep learning

This one is self-explanatory.

Not just young adults, not just eight year olds, but also parents.

Learn about the future of work. Think about the implications for your child. Academic success is no longer the best (or only) way to get ahead in life. Help them learn life skills that will make them adaptable and resilient adults.

Join us for Doyobi’s second family day on 15 April. RSVP here.

If you enjoyed this week’s issue, you may want to check out issue 24 of Education & Catastrophe ‘The Art of Choosing What to Do With Your Life’.

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