So you didn’t like attending school the first time (or the second time if you went to college) around and you certainly at the age of 35 or so, don’t want to take even more classes to sharpen your workforce skills. Besides, you’ve been in the job for almost twenty years now. You know the ropes: how to log into the company computer, how to do the tasks that are required of you, how to find the break room when it is time for lunch. What else is needed, you ask?
With the wave of new Gen Yers graduating from college and entering the workforce, the answer to that may be many.
If you were like me, born in the 70s or earlier, chances are you remember certain things: the beginning and evolution of MTV; tape players in cars; when microwaves, answering machines and CD players took over.
If you were born after this era, you’re probably wondering what in the world we did before the microwave.
Seriously, though, those who are just now graduating from college, or the Gen Yers as media has dubbed them, have not known a life before computers and technology took the world by storm. Tape players? what are those, many might ask. And can you imagine the look of surprise on their faces when we talk about records, and album players (remember those darn needles, and how the albums would skip after just one play!?)
Over the course of the past almost 40 years, times have changed, which means that the workforce has changed as well. If we are to keep up with these changes, we must make sure that we understand what the changes mean to our jobs, to the community and to the world in general.
For instance, some companies are now using video technology to conduct meetings between those that live in the area and those that do not. If you aren’t aware of this, or if you can’t figure out how to turn on a computer monitor-much less set one up for video conferencing, you might be a bit more out of the loop that those younger adults entering the workforce.
Even if you do not work in a high-technology field, chances exist that your company, at some point or another, may use some high tech features during the course of the day.
Those entering the workforce were not only born after the advent of computers, but they were also raised using computers in the classroom. They know technology from many standpoints: the latest music players, computer software, games and fads. They’ve used it for play and they’ve used it for studies. Now, they are entering your place of work prepared to use it for their jobs, and if you are behind in this area-well, then, I suggest you get out there and catch up.
Need a little help in the technology department? Take a class, read some books, watch commercials (they are great for showing the latest and greatest in technology), visit message boards and forums related to technology, read a magazine and ask! Keeping up with the times in your profession, whether this means studying technology or some other aspect of your career that is evolving, is important for your success.