Dear Parents,
    You are your child’s first mentor. You will need to teach them many things to be successful in the future. The requirements for the world of work are continuously shifting. How are you preparing them to meet these challenges?

  In an article in the National Career Development Association Journal 2018, C. Lehman, a labor economist, reported that students must have “fluency in mathematics, IT and digital technology, reading and writing and fluency in a second language.” In addition, there are other important skills that are essential to succeed in the workplace.

  I will highlight three often-underestimated skills for the 21 st century. These skills can make or break a career. These skills must be honed starting at a young age but it is never too late to begin!

1 – Communication Skills – This is sometimes referred to as a soft skill. How is your student perceived in interactions with peers as well as those in authority? Are they truly listening and hearing others points of view? What is the pace and tone of their communications? Does it convey confidence? Is the pace too fast or too slow? Is the volume too low or far too loud? Do they have good eye contact? Do they monopolize conversations? You can see how these traits and attributes might influence their success or failure on the job. Good communications skills indicate an ability to synthesize and understand information, which is crucial to workplace success.

2 – Teamwork – Many students participate on an athletic team to build a competitive spirit, to learn to work as a group or just to have fun. Does your student also have an opportunity to work with a group to solve a problem, produce a project or accomplish a goal? There are many lessons learned by having a student work in a group. What do they notice about themselves? Are they leaders or reluctant to share ideas? Are they great at coming up with creative ideas or are they the organizer of the group? Encourage your children to have opportunities to grow in this way.

3 – Public Speaking – This essential skill often causes “sweaty palms” for adults. It is rated as one of the most anxiety-producing experiences for young and old alike. But with instruction and practice, your student can be a noteworthy public speaker. It is not unusually for employees to need to make presentations to their team of five or to audiences of hundreds. So give your child opportunities beginning at an early age, at family gatherings, religious events and other low-risk situations where the members are supportive. Here are a few rules for personal self- management at all ages:
     Be aware of your body language – no fidgeting or inappropriate movement.
     Understand your purpose for the speech. Is the purpose to inform, persuade or entertain?
     Know your audience. What is appropriate for one group may not be appropriate for another.
     Finally, practice, practice and practice. Rehearsing for public speaking is essential – the more practice, the more comfortable a person becomes with speaking in front of an audience.

In my next blog I will share more important skills your student needs to work on to have a bright and productive future!