It’s a relatively typical Monday morning in Sussex, birds singing, radio on and yesterday’s Oscar winners being announced.  But what does typical mean in any community in April 2021?  Businesses and public services are gathering a head of steam (once again) and I’m not just referring to the Bluebell Railway.  Marquees are being erected and restaurants refurbished, creating new business opportunities for some and jobs for others.  Hospitality is getting ready for a revival, but at what cost?  Expertise, as well as jobs have been lost and valuable training interrupted as many rethought their career choices.

Choice that are firmly front of mind for so many, particularly those whose grades are in the academic balance right now.  There have been some bumps in the road for young people currently in full-time education, as well as those about to leave and make their way into work.  Career goals remain constant for so many, yet their chosen learning routes have almost dried up as universities try to keep up with last year’s as well as this year’s referrals.  Just what are the alternatives that will keep our up-and-coming workforce motivated?  I haven’t yet bought the golden ticket or found all the answers, although I remain committed to promoting positivity and airing the debate, rather than balanced silence.  After all, and as I say frequently, it’s conversation which defines what we need.

When I write I often have a target audience in mind and frequently that’s job seekers and/or employers or a mixture of both.  Today it’s a much longer list, as I want to include parents and educators alongside employers and our younger job seekers.  Not such a difficult task after all, as so many of us wear different hats simultaneously.  Remember lawyering, as well as parenting and homeschooling a few weeks ago?  Now that I’ve grabbed your attention, my message is clear, “We are all in this together and we can support each other”.  Let’s get networking.

I was recently inspired by a young adult whose ambition to be a pilot was unswerving despite the current pressures on aviation and travel.  Part-time and contract roles in and around logistics were providing life essentials (and valuable work experience) while a modest “windfall” continued to fund flying hours.  Wouldn’t you want to hire a person with such determination to succeed and survive?  That’s motivation and ambition in bucketloads.  For the parents of such a determined young aviator it’s mixed emotions at best, as they try to balance the argument through their own professional frame of reference.  Yes, it’s a tough gig for parents right now as parents try hard to unlearn what it took to fuel their own career success stories.

I’m a big fan of portfolio careers and enmeshing several part-time, contract or voluntary roles at times of uncertainty or unemployment.  It’s a great way of varying experience and gaining insight into different working environments, even the ones you didn’t dream of enjoying.  And remember your hobbies (an old-fashioned word I know but there really isn’t an alternative) or other interests beyond work.  There have been times during my HR career when being captain of the rowing team was viewed by some as elitist, and in some ways discriminatory.  This is the time when “getting a proper job” is replaced with “a valuable portfolio of enriching experience”.  Which parents and employers aren’t going to be proud of that when they see it on your CV?

It’s my view that we need to pick up experience and learning where we can.  The origins of that learning may not always be clear in advance and that’s why I’m recommending a learning journal.  A place to keep a note of what’s been achieved and how it went, along with what to do differently next time. 

Our collective response to the impact of the pandemic on careers and choices needs to be just as challenging as the virus was to us.  Life will be challenging as work settles down and careers revive.  Perhaps we should be thinking a little differently as parents, educators, and employers about the benefits of what I’m calling “zigzag careers”.  For now, there will be no obvious straight lines to the boardroom but a collection of experiences.  We all need to recognize that short-term opportunities create longer term gains.  This is a great year for our young and self-sufficient entrepreneurs.  Let’s assess them on what they’ve achieved and not judge them on their lack of people management skills.  Remember skills can be learned if we begin with a good attitude.

Whether you’re a parent, a student, an educator or an employer (or all or some of these) and fancy a chat, then please get in touch … or maybe you’re just interested in joining the debate? Either way Let’s talk

Postscript

Living so close to Gatwick and recognizing that airport jobs will eventually return I’m encouraging all soon to be school and college leavers to keep accurate notes on any periods of employment or unemployment.  You’ll need it as part of the Airport referencing obligations and trust me, it’s so much easier to compile as it happens!