Reality or virtual reality?
Another great conversation and suddenly I find myself talking about how young people will get to experience different professions or occupations before making their final career choices this year. It began as a general catch-up and quickly became a far more serious discussion about career options and likely work opportunities. I’m a big fan of interactive careers events (as many of you know) although “virtual work experience” doesn’t quite do it for me. A flight simulator is likely to do what it says on the tin, but somehow it loses impact and its functionality over Zoom.
More and more parents have been sharing workspaces with their children, irrespective of their occupation or profession. I accept that doesn’t always mean sharing a laptop, although for many of us, it’s our mobile devices which dictate our working to-do lists. Even the more creative among us. We are all grateful for the exceptions to working from home and I absolutely recognise the contributions of essential workers during the current pandemic. The amazing people who still “go out to work” to keep supermarkets open or health and social care functioning, not to mention refuse collection, and other public services free flowing.
New words have crept into our everyday vocabulary or taken on a whole new meaning, irrespective of age. Some words (which I’m not going to mention here) and phrases are synonymous with new ways of working, home schooling and study. Phrases like, “Can you mute?” or “You’ve frozen” have become second nature, along with peering over someone’s shoulder to see what’s on their reading list. Yes, going to work or going to University has become a hugely different affair, frequently surrounded by taboo.
I began a dissertation on workplace flexibility some 25 years ago and teetered on the edge of registering a further research topic on the blurring of home with work. At that time organisations were offering their people greater flexibility with mobile devices, hot desking and even some remote working. In return many businesses required more flexible access to their people’s time. My interest in the topic hasn’t waned and now I find myself back in the thick of it again. It seems that the requirement for managers to demonstrate a flexible attitude in the 90s was the precursor to a more recent need for managers with passion, although right now I’d say that resilience is paramount.
Amid all the ambiguity, graduates and students in full-time education are trying to work out what’s next for them. For many an unswerving desire to follow a profession is only hampered by their ability to study remotely. With GCSE and A level outcomes in the balance, and career choices hampered by uncertainty, what exactly are the options? How many students will still be keen to pursue a career in the arts, when theatres have been closed for so long? How should employers be marketing Airport jobs when so many aviation employments are furloughed right now, and customer flows are at an all-time low? I’ve read the predictions that there may be a shortage of talented individuals wanting to work in hospitality. While I can understand the hesitation (with so many employments in the sector still furloughed) my sense is that we’re in for some great new opportunities, but will they be recognised?
Organisations and businesses (including schools and colleges) are still under constant pressure to reinvent themselves to withstand the antics of this global pandemic (and frequent business lockdowns). Many are expected to keep their students or colleagues engaged, without a clear focus on the end game. Travel businesses are still treading water eagerly awaiting the news that holidays are back on the agenda. The hospitality, leisure and retail sectors are experiencing the pain of ever-diminishing customer flows at the very same time as demands for doing things a little differently. This is no easy gig. Some of the transformations are so gradual they are hardly recognisable on a day to day basis. Yet others led by a new regime of entrepreneurs have made a significant impact on their markets, spawning fresh ideas and opportunities.
Theatres are redefining their boundaries to win back audiences, as well as creatives, and village pubs have become general stores to remain at the heart of community. Mainstream as well as high quality restaurants are offering home delivery meal kits alongside last year’s solution, the celebrity takeaway. The options are becoming more sophisticated and imaginative than ever. My best advice to students and young people right now is, “Stay alert to the changing landscape and grab every opportunity which comes your way, even if that means a portfolio career”.
Whatever your definition of resilience, for me it goes hand in hand with trying out new things and the belief that anything is possible. Whether you’re an educator or a student with big dreams, I’d love to help you design a meaningful careers strategy. And if you are an employer or an entrepreneur, I can help you to create a brand new talent attraction strategy that’s right for 2021. Let’s Talk about your needs.
