Skills for Life

I had the privilege to cover West County Chamber's Life Skills conference for high school students last week.

The event was an all school day conference to emphasize the importance of appropriate behavior in the workplace and during job interviews.

I have to say, I felt pretty old when listening to what guest speakers were discussing. I am not sure whether it was the times in which I grew up or because I grew up in a household with high expectations, but I didn't have to be told you must dress nicely for interviews or you must not conduct private business during work time.

The teens who were participating, for the most part, acted interested and alert. And many of them told me that they were learning valuable lessons for the future.

I find it kind of sad that the Chamber believed there was enough of a problem with the quality of the younger workforce that they should sponsor this type of event. I don't doubt they were correct in their assessment - that is the part I am sad about.

Whose responsibility is it to educate kids about the etiquette of the workplace environment, about expectations of performance, or about work ethic? Is it the schools' or the parents'? How do we lose the excitement kids have for learning and doing their best in elementary school? Has life already beaten high school age children down that they have lost all sense of accomplishing goals and living a better life? Have you seen evidence of the downward turn of the quality of employees in the workplace?

Whatever the case, thanks to the West County Chamber and particularly Dave Magayna for recognizing the problem and doing something concrete to address the issue.