To be best prepared for life ahead, students need to cultivate certain skills for the workplace, regardless of which line of work they enter.
Nationwide, educators in every subject area should help students master those skills as they work through the curriculum.
But it won't happen if left to chance and it won't happen if it isn't part of the way of doing business each day. Teachers must have planned, organized and deliberate efforts in place to help students develop those skills.
The book titled "What Color is Your Parachute?" is a good resource for this.
While the main thrust of the book is evaluating one's talent and finding the right vocation, in the 2015 edition author Richard N. Bolles also stressed the importance of knowing about the skills that most employers want in a new hire.
In the chapter on getting ready for job interviews, he wrote that employers want employees who have drive, energy and enthusiasm; they also want individuals who are dependable and have a good attitude.
But there's more. Bolles also wrote that businesses want people "who are self-disciplined, well-organized, highly motivated, and good at managing their time."
A highly sought-after employee is also one who is good with language, good with computers, good with creativity, good with solving problems, good at handling interactions with others and a good teammate.
They must be trainable, project-oriented, goal-oriented and love to learn.
Bolles wrote employers need individuals "who are flexible, and can respond to novel situations, or adapt when circumstances at work change."
And finally, he or she must be a person of integrity and a person who will be loyal to the organization.
In short, if one is entering the marketplace today and wants to advance, he or she must act right, talk right, think clearly and have a solid moral approach towards work and towards others.
Some parents cultivate those attributes with their children at home. Some don't.
But every young person needs them. In the final analysis those things may matter more than any level of academic mastery, and many businesses will pay good money to retain employees who bring those qualities to the table.
In light of that, schools can't neglect the teaching of character education, job skills and people skills.
The future success of our children depends on it.
David Wilson, EdD, is the associate principal at Jefferson City High School. You may e-mail him at [email protected].