Cafe Victoria

A few weeks ago, Time Magazine printed a great cover story about the future of work. They pretty much shared the hard truths generation x will be facing now that the baby boomers are retiring. I’ve started to look at it as this huge amount of people, (my parents and their friends), leaving the workforce for my generation (a small but very educated and smart group of people) to step up. Think about it, the one postive thing to the baby boomers retiring is there will be jobs to fill but there also will be jobs not filled and that is okay. We have to remember, the baby boomers were a huge generation! Many came from large families. When I was in high school, there were very few families who had more then 2 kids. For now, we might be okay.

Now, imagine 10 years down the road (I will be 42). Here are highlights from Time’s cover story and what they predict work will be like:
1. Job growth will happen in places like Texas, New Mexico, Georgia.
2. The top jobs predicted to grow the most by 2016 will be retail salespersons, registered nurses, post secondary teachers (yeah for me!) and personal-home care aides.
3. MBA graduates will be more honest and have integrity in business.
4. Benefits, what benefits? Time reported that “57% employers who say they have stopped offering a traditional pension plan-or are considering it.” Colleges might want to seriously looking to add Personal Financial Management courses as part of their General Education.
5. Flexible work schedules! Time reported that “80% segment of employees who would want to work flexibility if it didn’t harm their careers.”
6. Some baby boomers might still be working. Time addressed the fact that large amounts of retirement money was in U.S. Savings (which are down), and many thought they saved enough, but they didn’t. So, for those us ready to move up the career later..we will have to wait a few more years.
7. Women will be leading. Time reported that in 10 years, there will be an 8% of growth of women in the workforce.
8. Going green will save the planet and for many us, save our careers. Time found that 2.5 million estimated jobs will be green jobs.
9. Are you ready to work for yourself? Time preditcts 40% of the workforce will be Indendant Contractors. Wow, that is a large number.
10. Ohh, while you are working for yourself, you will most likely be telecommunting.
-Time Magazine, May 25, 2009. Cover Story, The Future of Work. Click here to read the complete article.

At the end of each school year, I have my student government officers complete an online survey asking them to share what they learned and what advice they would give to the next board. Out of 23 students, 11responded. Here is the results of 2 of the questions:

What did you learn while being part of ASB
1     everyone has something to offer
2     how to be more involved in shared governance.
3     leadership
4     I learned about Robert’s Rules and the structure of formal meetings. I also learned the effectively of students in creating a government for other fellow students.
5     That sometimes good work get’s interrupted by bad behavior
6     I learned how to work better as a group, how to use your resources, and how to help others other.
7     that there is more i can do for the students i represented
8     Once we can set aside all of the differences, ASB can be a great team and we help the community and look out for the students.
9     Being a leader requires a lot of patience and understanding not only on my part but also the entire board as a whole.
10     That I have a greater potential. College student government has a purpose. People can be too emotional about politics
11     I learned what it takes to hold a successful event on campus.

What advice would you give to the incoming board?
1     give thanks as often as you can
2     To keep emotion out of the board room and to approach this with a business like attitude.
3     listening to each other
4     Be respectful. Always listen to what others have to say and give them a chance to speak.
5     keep up the good work and always put students first before personal adgendas
6     Use ASB to it’s fullest potential, use the resources, the friendships, and the time you have in the office and working with the people and the students to better benefit yourself as well as others around you and on campus.
7     i wish them luck i think they will need it. they have alot going against this year lossing so many key members that many respected.
8     Learn to communicate to one another. Don’t have a secret agenda. Live life. It’s not me against you, we are all here for the same reason, representing the students.
9     Be open to the advice your fellow board members have no matter how much you agree. Hear everyone out and dont jump to conclusions. Make your decisions not solely on your own ideals but also based on the students you represent. Do not follow people on making decisions just because everyone agrees, but make your own decision based on what you believe is right. Be bold, be truthful, and most of all remember you aren’t just representing yourself, but your representing the campus.
10     Learn about procedure early on. Enjoy what you do,but do your job
11     Remember your duty is to represent the students and not to represent your own interests.

I recently was at the Community College Student Senate General Assembly in San Diego. During the Advisors reception, I asked everyone to describe this year of advising student government in one word. For me, my word was “new”. I’ve been advising community college student government boards for 7 years and as I come up to our last board meeting, I feel like this was my first year. In a way, that is great. Because the reality is ever student government is their own group. As the board changes, so does the advising. I’m learning that with Student Affairs, there is always something to learn, something to change and something to keep.
I learned- before I ask a board member to sign a contract about conduct, I need to ask them how they prefer to solve conflicts.
I would change- by putting my student workers first.
I would keep- taking my full lunch break, going to yoga, and checking in with my boss.

A new week starts tomorrow. In the world of Student Affairs, there most likely is a student event happening (for me, it is Day of Silence as well as the dunk tank at the MESA Fair), commitee meetings (I think I saw an email for a text book advisory committee I am part of), and the reality that the final weeks of the semester are fast approaching (5 weeks until finals). Recently, I have been asking the unverse for some sort of balance from the overwheming problem solving I’ve been doing at work. I am happy to say I finally feel a sense of balance. Working on a college campus, I can easly fill my days with advising students and thinking of creative ways to better serve, connect, and educate them. But now, I realize I am a better advisor when I can leave campus heading off to do something completly different.  I feel strong what I do yoga, finish a very long hike with my husband, call a friend. I feel balanced.