In the latest HCI Webinar, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Nat Greene about what young adults need to excel in careers and leadership in the middle 21st century. Below is a summary of the main points from their conversation! Check out the full episode and let us know what you think!
Watch the episode here:
Quick Recap
Jonathan and Nat discussed the challenges and opportunities for young adults in the modern workforce, emphasizing the need for adaptability, practical skills, and self-awareness. They also highlighted the disconnect between traditional education and the real world, suggesting a shift towards skills-based learning.
Adapting to Disruption and Change
Jonathan and Nat discussed the challenges and opportunities for young adults in the modern world of work. They highlighted the need for young people to adapt to constant disruption and change, and to develop skills that traditional curricula often miss. Nat shared his personal journey, which led him to focus on education and disrupting systems that aren't serving us. They both expressed their passion for geopolitics and their desire to have more influence in this area. The conversation laid the groundwork for further exploration of what young adults need to excel in their careers and leadership in the 21st century.
Young Adults in Modern Workforce
Jonathan and Nat discussed the unique challenges and opportunities faced by young adults in the modern workforce. They agreed that despite generational differences, young adults are largely the same in their basic human needs and desires. They highlighted the impact of Covid-19 on socialization and remote work, and the need for intentional skill development in the modern workplace. They also emphasized the importance of adaptability in the face of rapid technological and societal changes. Both agreed that understanding what it takes to succeed in the current workforce is crucial, regardless of personal definitions of success.
Development of Practical Skills for Modern Work
Nat and Jonathan discussed the changing nature of work and the need for individuals to develop practical skills to succeed in the modern business world. They agreed that traditional education systems are not well-equipped to foster these skills, and that individuals must take initiative to learn and adapt to new challenges. They highlighted the importance of self-awareness, teamwork, communication, critical thinking, and digital literacy as core skills for success. They also emphasized the need for a "just in time" learning model, where individuals can quickly acquire knowledge and skills as needed, rather than relying on legacy systems. The conversation concluded with a recognition of the challenges posed by misinformation and the need for individuals to learn how to curate and evaluate information effectively.
Motivational Constructs in Business & Education
Nat discussed the motivational constructs in business and education. He noted that in business, there is often a need to deliver a product or project, which can create internal motivation. However, he pointed out that there is often a lack of time to improve skills and work on performance. In contrast, education lacks a motivational construct, leading people to learn technical skills without understanding their application. Nat concluded that education needs to transform and that this change will likely come from outside the system.
Addressing Education's Disconnect With Reality
Nat discussed the disconnect between educational institutions and the real world. He highlighted that traditional education focuses on knowledge, not skills, which is a problem in the modern workforce where AI and other productivity tools are widely used. Nat suggested that the education system needs to change its structure to focus more on developing skills required for high-performing jobs. He mentioned the positive results of a summer program they ran, with a significant improvement in the second session and high satisfaction ratings from students and parents. Nat emphasized the need for practical performance and skills in the modern workforce and suggested that people need to recognize and adjust to the changing educational landscape.
Listen to the webinar here:
