Grease Lightning

Recently certain actions have been appearing more and more in the corporate world and I find it interesting that people wonder why the country is in the mess it’s currently in.

To get more to the point, each generation has its own flair, its own common trait it’s known for. For example, my parents grew up in the Vietnam era or the 60’s and for the most part the good values remained from their parents. (Of course some were loosened with weed)

Now take my generation, looking back we were called generation X, but actually we should be called the High School’rs. For some reason it seems the majority of those in this generation (who were teens in the late 70’s and 80’s) mentally can’t graduate from high school. Movies like Grease, Dirty Dancing and Ferris Bullers Day off were a weekend staple no matter how many times we had seen them.

Fast forward into adulthood and look at their actions. Jobs are had by who you know and not what you know. While at work you had better be in the popularity contest, if not you will be quickly left behind. Almost all responsibility is avoided in ALL areas. The disappointing thing is that the generation following us is worse yet.

I guesstimate that in 10 to 20 years Jobs will be had by how nice of a present you bring to the interview. Some of the WHO you know will be there as well. Oh and forget about working ANYWHERE if you look like a goon and can afford a designer or knock off designer bag/ and or clothing.

All of this is greatly disheartening to people like me who hold close to what are now becoming ancient values like, integrity, honesty, trustworthy and the ability to be upfront with others.

I agree that networking is a great tool but I don’t think it should be the only tool in filling positions. Unfortunately skills, experience and education have fallen behind networking as requirements.

So my advice to those of you who have children in school, tell them to be social, participate in everything they can. As long as they have a passing grade they will do well if they are the most popular kids at school. Oh and start saving now for that first interview bribe (whoops present) for when they get out of college. They’ll need a good job since by then minimum wage will be $100,000 a year. (With inflation and all)

End of rant