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October 4, 2005
CIO Magazine Rant
Published in the October Issue of CIO Magazine
In Bricklayers or Architects? [Aug. 1], Gary Beach asks what we can do to make a difference in the U.S. education crisis.
First, we must change the mind-set of the individual knowledge worker. Whether you are moving from company to company or project to project, you should have a skill portfolio that can be transferred easily. Job erosion, evolving business models and technology change are here to stay, and the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction are deadly to your career.
Also, we must address the development of skills for our youth. In the days of old, careers and skills could be developed over a long period of time with apprentice-type programs. Our current environment does not provide the time to build anything beyond basic skills. More importantly, organizations don't care what I did five, 10 or 15 years ago. This myopic view, and the continuous evolution of the technology environment, requires adaptability, not conformity.
Finally, we must raise the standard by which we measure ourselves. I am always amazed when so many parents say they have gifted kids. They can't all be gifted, and the only area in which our children are leading the world is in thinking that they are.
It's not only the teachers support but also the environment and community support that needs to be addressed.
Posted by Todd at October 4, 2005 3:43 PM