Tabatha Fields
The Corsair
Technology is one of the fastest growing catalysts of the world today. According to wwww.marketingcharts.com, 80% of American households today either own a home computer, and over the 2011 holiday the share of Americans who own tablet computers nearly doubled from 10% to 19% according to a report by www.pewinternet.org. The list goes on and on; there is no escaping technology, it is all around us. Students who attend college have a greater advantage in the workforce because they are exposed to technology at an earlier age than recent working generations, according to research done by sites like www.pewinternet.org.
According to an editorial in the Smith Publicity Inc, many young adults are entering into the workforce as role models instead of “newcomers” who have to learn from the older employees. In contrast, younger students are coming into the workforce with the responsibility of teaching their seasoned co-workers how to use new technologies in order to help their companies continue to grow.
Jim Finklestein, author of “Fuse: Making Sense of the New Congregational Workplace” gives handy tips on how companies can expand and make the workplace a good environment by adding new, young talent.
Finklestein says to new talent:
1. Know your worth – you were hired for a reason
2. Make it a habit to ask for input from your senior employees. You never want to come across as a know-it-all, especially when someone working beneath you may actually be more knowledgeable than you.
3. If you find yourself in a managerial role early on in your career, you earned your current position because you proved you are capable of handling a managerial role – don’t question your own authority.
4. Be a positive influence on the team mentality. Regardless of age or other differences among workers, you and all your workers are working toward a common goal: to satisfy customers and make the company more profitable.
Tyler Hill, sophomore at Pensacola State College, majoring in English Literature said,” I would feel like I have a lot of responsibility on me if I had to come into the work force as a role model. My fellow employees would be depending on me for their paychecks. If I make a mistake it’s everyone below me as well, and we all will suffer the consequences.”
Finklestein believes that if the younger generation and the seasoned employees can work together as one, the workplace can become an enjoyable and respectful environment.
Many employers are looking for well adaptable, trustworthy individuals to become part of their organizations. With the continual decline of the economy, jobs are not as fluid as they were; therefore, students have a higher responsibility to come into the workplace with higher standards than ever before.
Kragen Armstrong, freshman at Pensacola State College, majoring in Criminal Justice said, “I would feel stressed and over-important, but mostly stressed if I had to come into the workplace as a role model.”
In many instances, most young students find themselves in managerial positions more quickly than expected, “Fuse” states . It is important for students to understand that a managerial position is not meant turn them into tyrants, but to become a leader. They must understand the importance that the best leaders are ones that most people don’t even recognize are the leaders. Silent leadership and group synergy is much more important than insisting upon being right all the time, is the advice that “Fuse” authors.
Armstrong said,” I wouldn’t feel as if I had to mistreat my senior employees, because they are older than me, and I would always treat them with respect.”
Teamwork is essential when there is work to be done to continue the growth of a business. Good teamwork and leadership work hand in hand to reach a common goal, Finklestein says in “Fuse”.
The author, Finklestein is both a student and a leader in the world of business. His book, “Fuse” offers advice to new and emerging students who are graduating from college and venturing out into the workforce. He teaches students how to thrive in the workforce and become the best employees.
Emily Bickerstaff, freshman at Pensacola State College said, “If I could teach someone a skill that they don’t have, it would make the office as a whole work more efficiently and in harmony.”
Photo Credit: Adriana Dueck