147th Edition
Career planning for high school seniors
I have some advice for high school seniors who are contemplating paying exorbitant amounts of money to attend college. I won’t belabor the point, as the rapid rise in college tuition has been well documented. From an ROI perspective, paying the current tuition rates, especially to attend a private university, is hard to justify. But don’t despair, there are alternative investments that might actually make more sense over the long term.
I’ll present two such alternatives in this blog, but I wanted to add some context first. Responding to the ever-growing financial burden of the ever-expanding administrative state, corporations are pulling out all stops to improve productivity. In essence, they realize one of the only ways to maintain profit growth is to continue to produce more with less. What less means is fewer employees, more automation, and too often, deteriorating client service. Manufacturing has long ago been outsourced or sent offshore. Service has largely traveled a similar path. The problem is goods and even some services can be produced remotely, but relationships cannot.
A generation or so ago, a key differentiating factor in terms of making a young person employable was having computer skills. More recently, networking skills, the ability to work remotely, and finally, having a social media presence were touted as key attributes of future career success. Young, aspiring graduates honed most of these skills on a computer, usually by themselves.
Today, we have a generation of young, intelligent, tech-savvy people, many of whom struggle to develop one-on-one relationships. Therein lies the biggest opportunity for the next several graduating classes. Businesses are going to be forced to re-engineer their client service strategies. When this occurs there will be a massive demand for people who have proven interpersonal skills, which many of today’s youth, raised on video games, computers, and cell phones, haven’t yet mastered.
Here are two job experiences high school graduates might consider in lieu of paying outrageous tuition bills. In my younger days, I worked at each of these jobs. And I can truly say that what I learned in each job was significantly more valuable than what I learned in six years of college.
My first bartending job was at a place called the Village Inn, in Allegany, NY, a few miles west of Olean. These are the skills I learned at that unforgettable tavern. First, I learned to keep my head down and do what was required. At the end of each night, I had to go down into the basement, carry up cases of beer and restock the coolers. The ceiling in the basement of this very old building was about five feet high. Keep your head down took on a whole new meaning for me. Second, and more seriously, I learned conflict management skills. A broke up several altercations and learned to prevent them from even starting. A joke, a kind word, or even a smile can do wonders in diffusing any situation. Third, I learned to remember things. Like what a frequent patron’s usual drink was. Offering that drink as you welcomed that person to their favorite bar stool was a simple way to let them know you cared and appreciated their business. Fourth, I learned listening skills, the importance of peripheral vision, and making eye contact when talking with people. All invaluable skills to navigate any social situation.
If you are lucky, you might experience a tender, timeless moment. I had several in my bartending career, but none more memorable than my experience with Jimmy, a tiny, middle-aged man who lived above the bar. Every once in a while, he would have a little bit too much to drink. I would suggest he climb the stairs and call it a night. Reluctantly he would head to the stairs, but instead of walking up to bed he would sit down and play his harmonica, at which he was quite accomplished. No one ever seemed to mind the melodious sounds coming from the stairwell. Eventually Jimmy would fall asleep on the stairs. I would then carry him up and put him to bed. Not part of my job description, but the right thing to do. A tender, timeless moment, forty-four years ago.
I realize you have to be 21 years old to tend bar, so you might consider becoming a caddie until you are old enough to tend bar. A caddie will learn several invaluable skills as well. First, you will learn how to read body language, an invaluable skill when you are interacting with clients, especially in emotionally charged situations. Second, you will learn how to be quiet and listen. There is nothing as frustrating or counterproductive as interacting with someone in a business setting who talks too much and isn’t listening intently. Third, you will learn observation skills, in order to identify the risks and opportunities in every situation. You will learn how to determine if the decision makers have the correct tools in hand to get the job done effectively. Fourth, you will learn delicate but essential psychological strategies related to compassion, encouragement, and anger management. Finally, you will learn to celebrate the success of others, to be proud of your contribution, even though you won’t share in the limelight.
And like bartending, there are other times when a caddie will experience tender, timeless moments. I experienced one on a recent golf trip to Ireland. Our week-long golfing adventure included playing Lahinch Country Club, my late father’s favorite course. I brought along some of my dad’s ashes to sprinkle on the course when the place and moment was right to do so. As it turned out I found the perfect spot on the 9th tee, the highest point on the golf course. I knelt down, poured out his ashes and said a prayer. Then I was overwhelmed with emotion. I cried for next three holes. On the fourth hole I tried to explain to my caddie what I had done and why I was emotional. He turned toward me and told me he had recently sung a song at his Uncle’s funeral.
“Would you like me to sing it to you now?” he asked.
“Please do,” I said.
We walked that hole as he sang a beautiful, comforting Irish lullaby. When the song was over, he and I walked side by side, both of us crying. Another tender, timeless moment, for sure.
So, high school students, consider your options. Finally, I should mention that both of these jobs can generate quite a lot of money in tips. But you’ll have to talk and listen and maybe even sing. Can you handle that?
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Michael Kayes
*These views are my personal opinions and are not the viewpoints of any company or organization.