"General Career Intelligence" is an essential resource for anyone seeking to excel in todayâs fast-evolving business landscape. Combining the author's 38 years of experience in the tech industry with insights from hundreds of subject matter experts, this book delivers a comprehensive roadmap for personal and professional success.
"General Career Intelligence" emphasizes the essential human qualities in today's business landscape, which are often overshadowed by the growing emphasis on artificial intelligence and automation. The book highlights the power of ethics, integrity, kindness, and humility, reinforcing the value of foundational character traits that are increasingly overlooked in todayâs competitive business environment. Focusing on these timeless attributes, the book provides a foundation for cultivating long-term professional success and personal fulfillment in the modern workplace.
Presented clearly and succinctly, this book doesnât overwhelm readers with theory or abstract ideas. Instead, it delivers sharply focused insights, statistics, and proven strategies that readers can immediately apply to their careers and lives. Whether addressing complex workplace dynamics or offering guidance on personal growth, "General Career Intelligence" equips readers with the tools to thrive in a constantly changing business world while grounding them in the principles that matter most.
"General Career Intelligence" is an essential resource for anyone seeking to excel in todayâs fast-evolving business landscape. Combining the author's 38 years of experience in the tech industry with insights from hundreds of subject matter experts, this book delivers a comprehensive roadmap for personal and professional success.
"General Career Intelligence" emphasizes the essential human qualities in today's business landscape, which are often overshadowed by the growing emphasis on artificial intelligence and automation. The book highlights the power of ethics, integrity, kindness, and humility, reinforcing the value of foundational character traits that are increasingly overlooked in todayâs competitive business environment. Focusing on these timeless attributes, the book provides a foundation for cultivating long-term professional success and personal fulfillment in the modern workplace.
Presented clearly and succinctly, this book doesnât overwhelm readers with theory or abstract ideas. Instead, it delivers sharply focused insights, statistics, and proven strategies that readers can immediately apply to their careers and lives. Whether addressing complex workplace dynamics or offering guidance on personal growth, "General Career Intelligence" equips readers with the tools to thrive in a constantly changing business world while grounding them in the principles that matter most.
The purpose of education is to replace an empty mind with an open one. âMalcolm Forbes, American publisher, and business mogul.
Education, in the most fundamental sense, provides the foundation for almost everything we achieve in life, both personally and as a society. Our first jobs are predicated on our knowledge, combined with attitude. Subsequent roles build upon our earlier accomplishments and the additional expertise weâve gained. Similarly, each sequential level of education builds upon the prior in a compounding fashion. Society as a whole represents the culmination of each of our abilities and accomplishments. It stands to reason, therefore, that our competitiveness and leadership are underpinned by the scaffolding provided by education, which has become critically important as we continue to migrate as a global economy.
Education and learning are the keys to solving many of our challenges today. For example, education can reduce crime, poverty, income inequality, homelessness, and much more. Nationwide, hundreds of thousands of jobs in technology go unfilled every day. Fundamentally, whether we want to pursue a blue-collar or white-collar career, education and skill building (hard and soft) are the enablers that can help us to achieve our goals.[i]
At work, we learn through the experiences we're afforded. If we allow ourselves to be pigeonholed, we can expect our learning and, therefore, our advancement to suffer. If we're offered challenging assignments and work alongside knowledgeable and skilled individuals, our learning accelerates. Stagnation inhibits learning, so taking an active role in our careers and seeking stimulating assignments and work environments is crucial.
Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death. âAlbert Einstein, German theoretical physicist, educator, and author.
Learning Diversity
Elon Musk used to read two books daily, Bill Gates reads 50 books per year, Warren Buffett reads 500 pages weekly, and the average CEO reads 60 books yearly. On the other hand, the average American spends more than 2,000 hours every year watching TV or on social media. Given the average reading speed of most readers, almost anyone could instead read hundreds of books each year and, by so doing, improve their mind, their life, and their career.[ii]
Science has shown that reading doesn't just fill your brain with valuable information. It changes the way your brain works for the better. When you read, your brain projects itself into the story. If the character in your book is playing golf, the areas of your brain that light up are those exercised when you're out on the course.
When deeply engrossed in a great book for an extended period, we build up our ability to focus and grasp complex ideas. Conversely, the less you read (skimming doesn't count), the more our essential skills wither. Reading rewires your brain. It strengthens your imagination and enhances your memory and ability to solve complex problems. Reading makes you more knowledgeable and transforms you into being functionally smarter.[iii]
Whether traveling, attending lectures, or trying new activities, each experience is an avenue for learning, challenging our perspectives, and understanding diverse cultures. Beyond a means to an end, education becomes a lifelong habit when actively pursued.
Allocate daily time for learning, be it through books, magazines, or instructional videos. Explore hobbies, plan overdue vacations, and utilize resources like local libraries or apps offering access to numerous books and magazines. For those opposed to reading, apps providing book summaries or audio options offer alternative ways to absorb knowledge efficiently.
Investing in yourself, first and foremost, is the best investment you can make. If you put in the effort, you can learn almost anything. It takes commitment, time, and sometimes money, but it's worth it. It is how you excel, advance, and outperform others.[iv]
In the case of good books, the point is not to see how many of them you can get through, but rather how many can get through to you. âMortimer Adler, American philosopher, and educator.
Arts and Humanities
Studying the arts and humanities is crucial for students because it fosters creativity, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of the human experience. These disciplines teach students to explore diverse perspectives, question assumptions, and express complex ideas through various forms of art, literature, history, and philosophy. Beyond the development of intellectual skills, the arts and humanities cultivate empathy, cultural awareness, and ethical reasoningâqualities essential for thriving in an interconnected and rapidly changing world. By engaging with these subjects, students gain a well-rounded education that enhances their personal growth and equips them to make meaningful contributions to society.
Unfortunately, a few years ago, we experienced substantial budget cuts for Arts and Humanities endowments, public television and radio, libraries, and museums. Thankfully, in a rare demonstration of bipartisanship within Congress, politicians rallied to keep minimal funding in place. When mired in political arm wrestling and deception, it's easy to lose sight of how the arts contribute to our nation's health by enriching our culture, fostering creativity, driving economic growth, providing vital educational opportunities, and uniting communities across diverse backgrounds.
The arts and humanities belong to everyone and, as such, deserve government funding and support. In the limit, think for just a moment how gray and dull life would be without museums, art, music and musicals, movies, theatre, public television, and all the other enriching offerings that life provides.
Given the societal challenges we face today, it has become even more urgent that we encourage and inspire our youth to pursue education and careers in the humanities. Critical thinking matters. We need young people who can evaluate our behaviors and trends and unpack what's happening now in the context of what has happened before to guide us to a better future. To thrive, we should encourage, inspire, and nurture thinkers who reflect the diversity of our nation. We need people trained in liberal arts who deeply understand history, politics, and the complex mechanics of how our government functions.[v]
More specifically, the arts and humanities teach history, culture, and human behavior as essential lenses for understanding how policy and governance are shaped over time. By studying history, individuals gain insight into the successes, failures, and patterns of past governance, enabling them to make informed decisions and avoid repeating mistakes. Cultural studies provide a deep appreciation for the diversity of human experiences, values, and societal norms, helping leaders craft policies that respect and address the needs of different communities.
The study of human behavior, through disciplines like psychology, philosophy, and sociology, offers a clearer understanding of what motivates individuals and groups, informing more effective policy design and leadership strategies. Together, these fields help policymakers and leaders comprehend the complex interplay of historical context, cultural dynamics, and human nature, leading to more thoughtful, ethical, and sustainable governance.
The arts and humanities teach us who we are and what we can be. They lie at the very core of the culture of which we're a part. âRonald Reagan, American politician, actor, and 40th president of the United States.
The Importance of STEM
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workers are critical for sustained growth and stability in the U.S. and elsewhere, and STEM education creates the next generation of innovators and inventors. Innovation leads to new products and processes that grow and sustain our economy.
Think about cellphones, iPods, electric vehicles and bicycles, smart home devices that improve our lives and keep us safe, online gaming, cinematic special effects, and advanced smartphone cameras. Satellites enable global communications and commerce, while GPS enables a multitude of products that we can't imagine living without. The rate of technological advancement is mind-numbing, and the products and markets they affect are too many to list.
Many people don't understand, even in the most basic sense, all that is required to bring new technology to marketâthe months and years of dedicated design, analysis, prototyping, documentation, destructive and qualification testing, reliability optimization, design for manufacturing, beta trials, iterative optimization, and so forth. Without STEM education and training, none of this would be possible.
Despite the vital role of STEM education, critics question our current focus, raising concerns about potential overemphasis and its impact on workforce balance, diversity, and well-roundedness. They highlight the predominantly male, higher socioeconomic background of STEM workers, emphasizing the underrepresentation of women, minorities, and low-income individuals. Female students are reported to be 50% more likely to leave STEM coursework than their male counterparts. To address these issues, some experts advocate for a more holistic educational approach, encompassing not just STEM but also financial, social, and livelihood education. This broader perspective aims to build a multi-dimensional solution for the diverse needs of the future workforce while promoting economic citizenship, sustainable well-being, poverty reduction, and rights for all.[vi]
While a nationwide strategy for STEM education is essential, we must avoid fixating on STEM at the expense of other interests and pursuits. Many students have inclinations toward non-STEM fields, and imposing universal college-readiness math may lead to academic struggles and dropouts. Amidst a polarized society, there's a growing need for extensive political science training to enhance discourse and strengthen democracy, as citizens face challenges in making informed decisions based on history.[vii]
Education isn't a zero-sum game; focusing on STEM doesn't necessitate neglecting other areas. The challenge lies in the technical nature of STEM occupations, which require a deep and sustained education. Without adapting early education systems to encourage long-term commitment, our ability to nurture the expertise that future business demands remains a struggle.
Compounding the issue, societal perceptions often label STEM-focused students negatively as nerds, geeks, and outcasts. To address this, we must acknowledge, encourage, and celebrate the brilliance of STEM-trained youngsters, ensuring they aren't ostracized. Starting from the formative years, this shift in perspective is crucial for fostering STEM education and facilitating entry into respected technical universities.
Generalists
These days, there's a growing emphasis on hyper-specialization in college education. Particularly in U.S. technical degree programs, the focus on a specific discipline has intensified, often neglecting exposure to other valuable areas of knowledge that contribute to a more holistic mindset.
The world, however, requires generalists, yet their value is not always adequately recognized. Individuals capable of integrating expertise, understanding intersections, and bridging cultures and perspectives are precious assets.
Those with a broader upbringing who have expanded their professional knowledge beyond a single domain tend to be the most curious and profound thinkers. While specific fields like surgery demand specialists, in disciplines like engineering, the most innovative minds often excel as system engineers, adept at handling diverse concepts across multiple disciplines. Workers with a generalist approach often exhibit greater creativity and a propensity to challenge the status quo, which is crucial for companies seeking innovation.[viii]
At the college level, we can enhance the preparation of engineering and other students with practical skills that yield immediate impact in the real-world work environment. We can improve students' soft skills, including public speaking, technical writing, interpersonal communications, conflict resolution, and negotiating skills. Courses in program management, covering basic scheduling, program planning, and risk management, lay the foundation for effective team participation and leadership.
While depth of expertise was crucial in the past, the evolving world now places equal importance on breadth of perspective. Those with diverse tools are better equipped to navigate today's business uncertainties. Successful companies leverage cross-discipline thinking, as exemplified by Apple's CEO Steve Jobs, who emphasized the marriage of technology, liberal arts, and humanities for meteoric success. At a time when technology affects every aspect of our lives, workers must think across disciplines, creating collaborative bridges and spanning multiple business unitsâa philosophy some universities are now incorporating into their curricula.[ix]
For instance, the USC Jimmy Lovine and Andre Young Academy aim to impart skills essential for success in a collaborative, complex, and hybridized business world. Their Master of Science in Integrated Design, Business, and Technology equips students to solve intricate problems at the intersections of engineering, business management, and the arts. Emphasizing teamwork as a key pillar, the academy instills empathy-focused problem-solving that prioritizes end users and customer service in product development.
Companies highly value employees with general cognitive abilities, enabling them to seamlessly transition between teams and roles. This agility allows companies to adapt swiftly to changing needs. Individuals with diverse geographic and functional experiences, basic statistical skills, and critical reasoning position themselves competitively in the evolving global marketplace.[x]
The bigger the picture, the more unique the potential human contribution. Our greatest strength is the exact opposite of narrow specialization. It is the ability to integrate broadly. âDavid Epstein, environmental scientist, author, and investigative reporter.
Tradespeople
Often, we emphasize bachelor's degrees as the obvious next step after high school. This results in far too little attention being paid to the importance of other highly valued skills that can be acquired through vocational training.
Clearly, apprenticeships are a win-win: They provide workers with sturdy rungs on that ladder of opportunity, and employers with the skilled workers they need to grow their businesses. And yet in America, they've traditionally been an undervalued and underutilized tool in our nation's workforce development arsenal. âThomas Perez, American politician, and civil rights lawyer.
The U.S. economy is currently suffering from a significant and sustained skills mismatch. It faces a massive shortage of truck drivers, welders, electricians, construction workers, and other skilled tradespeople. In addition to trade jobs rooted in manufacturing, there are also essential trade jobs in medical, mechanical, industrial, and other areas too many to mention.
Skilled trades offer lifelong careers for people who seek good salaries, employment stability, and job satisfaction for those who are not particularly able or inclined to follow the college degree path. Workers can become trained in various skills and hit the ground running, making great money and enjoying satisfying careers in less than two years without needing a college degree.[xi]
In junior high, I could choose between metal, wood, and other shop classes. Opting for wood shop ignited my passion for woodworking, a hobby I continue to enjoy today. In high school, I delved into "auto shop," gaining a foundational understanding of automobile systems. Performing tune-ups for myself and others brought a sense of accomplishment and saved money on professional services. Passing down car basics to our kids has further extended the benefits.
At Cal Poly, their "Learn by doing" philosophy led me to various other shop classes. I acquired skills in welding, machining, and metal-forming techniques. These skills became invaluable throughout my career, and any of them could legitimately form the basis for a satisfying and lucrative career.
These days, students can benefit even more broadly than before by learning modern trade skills wherever the will and funding necessary to teach them exists. They can learn the traditional techniques of woodworking, metalworking, leathercraft, weaving, ceramics, and auto shop, just as I did. But now, they can also learn about digital design, engineering fundamentals, 3-D printing, laser cutting and etching, robotics, and more. With this knowledge, people can pull themselves up by their bootstraps on a path toward self-reliance. They can secure high-paying jobs right out of school or start their own businesses. Thankfully, some of the more progressive colleges around the nation offer curricula in the crafts and trades.
Trades also offer an excellent opportunity for industries to collaborate with our educators. When our companies invest in teaching trades, they create an expanded workforce that they can begin to tap into immediately. For example, industrial mills can offer their skills and digital looms to complement hand looms in teaching students to weave. Modern digital tools are the perfect enablers for students to learn online sales and marketing. People skilled in those arts can help other crafts and tradespeople to grow and expand their businesses exponentially when they leverage the power of the Internet.[xii]
Our national employment strategy should prioritize the potential of electronic trades in revitalizing high-skilled electronics manufacturing jobs domestically. While the perception is that we've outsourced electronics manufacturing due to low-cost labor in countries like China, the real reason is their emphasis on trades in workforce training. Apple, Microsoft, and Intel manufacture in Asia not just for cheap labor but for their skilled workforce adept at handling complex tooling and exotic materials. Apple's Tim Cook notes Asia's deep expertise in tooling skills, a depth unmatched in the U.S.[xiii]
Renewed interest in trades is positive, but there's room to better educate and guide workers, particularly in middle-class and less-affluent communities. Financial support from local companies to community colleges can address skills gaps, making vocational education more accessible and eliminating the need for outsourcing.
Serving in the US Military is another excellent path to receiving world-class skills training in a field that suits your aptitude. After your term of service, the GI Bill is still a great way to get a college education for those who otherwise might not be able to afford it.
Progress requires that we come to grips with what's needed, resolve plans for how to get there, and apply our priorities and political might toward accomplishing it. As we contemplate how to up-skill America and train and modernize our workforce, particularly in the Rust Belt areas that have been left behind, trades can play an important role in re-establishing a robust and upwardly mobile middle class throughout our country. It is certainly within our reach. Crafts and trades are an essential element of the global economy. What better way to unleash one's passion and creativity than to teach them those basic skills?
A skilled worker regardless of the job description remains a treasure. âMadeleine M. Kunin, American diplomat, author, and politician.
College Education
Anyone can read a book and, in so doing, learn a variety of facts. However, attending school, particularly at the college level, teaches us to think uniquely. There, we learn how to break down and untangle complex concepts and solve problems that would otherwise seem impossible. Bloom's Taxonomy teaches us that there are multiple levels of learning. At the bottom are knowledge and facts. The next level is understanding and comprehension. Above that is application, followed by analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and creation. Education is, of course, cumulative.
It is not so very important for a person to learn facts. For that, he does not really need a college. He can learn them from books. The value of an education in a liberal arts college is not the learning of many facts but the training of the mind to think something that cannot be learned from textbooks. âAlbert Einstein.
While not essential for success, a college degree significantly impacts earning potential and career advancement. Most Fortune 500 CEOs, members of Congress, presidents, and influential figures hold degrees. However, notable exceptions like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg flourished without them. Pursuing a degree remains an excellent option for academically inclined individuals with means, but alternatives exist, especially in careers that do not mandate a degree. That said, not everyone is interested in or can afford to go to college to make a decent living, and they shouldn't have to.
It should be evident that society benefits from contributions across various jobs, skill levels, and professions. And yet, we're seeing a recent shift by some extremist politicians advocating for less emphasis on college, favoring short-term postsecondary certifications or vocational skills to meet the immediate needs of skilled workers. Critics argue this reflects a bias against liberalism, with an aim to shape a less educated electorate over time.[xiv]
However, steering students away from college overlooks the future demands on our workforce. Cultivating habits of the mind, fostering deep learning and resilience, transforming information into action, and creatively evaluating complex ideas are indispensable. Rapid technological changes demand workers who can navigate complexity. As workplaces evolve, we need individuals with accumulated wisdom, interpersonal competence, critical thinking, and altruismâunderpinned by complex theories taught in college. Downplaying the need for higher education jeopardizes national prosperity and the well-being of a civil, democratic society.[xv]
Admittedly, much about higher education is broken and urgently needs fixing. However, those issues can't be solved by adopting an attitude that prioritizes short-term training over comprehensive, deep learning. We should not attempt to shorten a student's college educational experience or encourage motivated, qualified, and aspiring college students to seek an alternative path. Nothing beats college for producing high levels of intellectual, personal, and social development, which is the foundation for continuous life-long learning.
The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus characterâthat is the goal of true education. âMartin Luther King Jr., American minister, and social activist.
Community College
I grew up in a family that considered a college education a must-haveâa foregone conclusion. My father advised my brother and me from an early age to plan on going to college. The degree choice was secondary to attaining any degree, which he described as a ticket to success. And so, as I grew up, I never experienced any doubt as to my inevitable path. I endeavored throughout K-12 to excel academically, knowing that I'd need to earn my way into a university.
During the college application process, I realized I could save my parents substantial money by attending a local community college (Junior College or "JC") for the initial two years. After weighing the pros and cons, I chose our local JC, Foothill College. Enrolling there, I completed full course loads for two years, covering general ed, physics, calculus, and various electives, earning an Associate of Science degree. I then applied to Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo and was accepted into their engineering program.
From my own experience and based on discussions with many other co-workers and friends over the years, the community college path remains a fantastic choice for anyone interested in pursuing a post-high school education. Community colleges offer a tremendous education at a small fraction of the cost of attending a four-year institution. Within the community college, you can learn valuable skills, prepare for further educational pursuits, or even dabble in coursework related to your passion.
Unfortunately, community colleges still face the stigma of being perceived as less than traditional four-year institutions. However, my experience at Foothill College contradicts this notion. The courses I took there were as in-depth and demanding as those at Cal Poly or Santa Clara University. When JC course credits transfer to four-year institutions, the curricula and standards align. For credit transfer, community college courses are equivalent to their counterparts at four-year universities. I found my community college professors to be just as knowledgeable, capable and informed as those at Cal Poly, and sometimes even more so. Additionally, class sizes at Foothill rarely exceeded 30 students, fostering direct engagement with professorsâan advantage over larger classes at some four-year colleges. From an educational perspective, the stigma around community colleges seems unwarranted; however, it's essential to research and choose wisely when selecting a college to attend.
Statistically, while community colleges offer a tremendously valuable education at an attractive price, most students who enroll never graduate. Over two-thirds of first-time, full-time students don't complete an associate's degree within three years.
A growing body of evidence suggests that there are ways of improving those statistics, such as investing in completion and retention programs. These "wraparound" programs are impactful and cost-effective. They employ mentors or advisors who help students identify challenges that hinder or impact their ability to graduate and provide them with the necessary resources to succeed. Multiple studies have shown that these programs can almost double the graduation rates. And students who received wraparound services went on to earn 20% more on average than those who did not. While these support programs aren't cheap (their costs range from $1,000-$5,700), the price is low compared to the long-term economic benefits of a degree. Usually, the cost of the program can be offset within roughly four years of graduation, assuming that the student secures reasonable employment. The challenge is scaling these programs to impact the greatest number of students and ensure that the community college track achieves maximum success and impact. That investment is worthy of our collective support.[xvi]
Ultimately, community colleges serve as accessible and affordable educational paths that cater to diverse learners and provide essential skills and credentials for various careers. By offering flexible learning opportunities and fostering local community ties, they play a crucial role in empowering individuals to pursue fulfilling careers and contribute meaningfully to society.
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. âNelson Mandela, South African anti-apartheid activist, politician, statesman, and philanthropist.
Evolving Education
We're now witnessing a renewed commitment by colleges to revamp and modernize their course and degree offerings to keep pace with our rapidly changing business demands. For example, Cal Poly now offers courses in entrepreneurial studies and training within their Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship program. Their mission is to expose students to entrepreneurship inside and outside the classroom, regardless of major. Their curricula include events and competitions, including accelerator and incubator programs designed to train, fund, and assist emerging, student-launched businesses.
Likewise, at other colleges, we're seeing a merging of specific curricula to better meet future business needs. For example, technologies such as machine learning, Blockchain, and Python coding language are blurring the lines between finance and computer science. Students studying fintech and fin-analytics enter the workplace with financial knowledge and technical skills, essential for automating and rewriting the financial services industry of tomorrow. Merging industrial technology with art and design has resulted in product-packaging program curricula that leverages cross-discipline learning. This enables students to exploit their comprehensive background, which better prepares them for packaging jobs of the future.
Arizona recently passed a law allowing community colleges to offer bachelor's degrees. Three of the state's public research universities will now offer bachelor's degrees in Arizona, enabling students to avoid the crushing cost of higher education. This is an essential first step in the right direction, and hopefully, it will encourage other states to follow suit.[xvii]
Colleges are now sprinting to offer MBA programs online to cater to workers who can't afford to commit the time and money for in-person study. Google is working to disrupt the world of education by launching new certificate programs designed to help people bridge skills gaps and acquire qualifications for high-paying, high-growth job fields without a college degree. Google's initiative includes offering several "Career Certificates" in data analytics, project management, and user experience design, over 100,000 scholarships for those in need, partnerships with employers working with Google to hire graduates of its certificate program, and new Google search features that facilitate the job search for people without experience or degrees.[xviii]
Not everyone can access a four-year degree due to socioeconomic factors, emphasizing the need for inclusive training programs. These programs should pave a clear path to well-paying jobs and stable careers by imparting in-demand, real-world skills and creating pipelines for nontraditional talent in collaboration with forward-thinking employers like Google.
Half of the U.S. workforce comprises STARs (Skilled Through Alternative Routes), including most workers facing barriers to economic advancement. These skilled individuals, such as Hispanic, rural, veteran, and Black workers, possess the potential for higher-paying jobs, but systemic barriers hinder their progress. Policymakers at various levels should remove obstacles, invest in training programs, and support connecting STARs with job opportunities. At the same time, companies should eliminate restrictive automated résumé screens and invest in talent development to unlock the full potential of these non-degreed, skilled workers.[xix]
While educators are focused on modernizing their offerings, it's worthwhile to contemplate current trends relating to human culture. Lately, we've found that with the advent of social media and the internet, hostility is at an all-time high, and much of it occurs online. We're inundated daily with abject anger, mistruths, and contorted claims of reality. It's also hard to find examples of industry executives who are outwardly prioritizing humanity over profits.
In focusing on technology, business, and innovation, our educational system may have overlooked essential qualities needed for tomorrow's leaders. While it has never been more important to educate the next generation with a focus on technology, business, and innovation, we should also train tomorrow's leaders to be great inventors who push humanity forward through impactful and benevolent pursuits while advancing how we live and interact with one another. Given the powerful tools currently available to enable, empower, and accelerate corporate success, there's no reason we can't encourage an expansive new generation of American greats in the category of Vanderbilt, Rockefeller, Carnegie, Morgan, and Ford. American ingenuity needs a jump-start and a renewal. We must teach our children the importance of morality, perseverance, humility, ethics, empathy, philanthropy, sustainability, and essential theoretical and liberal studies to achieve sustained greatness as a society.[xx]
Successful companies often thrive with diverse workforces that encompass various backgrounds and education levels, including non-STEM roles and individuals without college degrees. When empowered by role models, practical tools, support, and growth opportunities, motivated employees can advance their careers, regardless of their educational background, benefiting themselves and their employers. Encouraging an inclusive and supportive environment allows workers to learn and grow into the roles they aspire to achieve.[xxi]
If we can learn anything, we can be anything. âRavi Kumar, nuclear scientist, and business executive.
Lifelong Learning
In the current job market, a job seeker's assets include skills, knowledge, and relevant experience. Post-pandemic, over a third of Americans express the need for additional training or education to secure new jobs, highlighting the increasing necessity for continuous skill development. Most U.S. adults identify as lifelong learners, with over 60% of working adults embracing the mindset of professional learners.
Given the global transition to a digital economy and the rate at which change occurs in the marketplace today, it's wishful thinking to believe that our K-12 and formal college educations are adequate to serve our needs for the remainder of our working lives. Change is inevitable, and continuous learning is necessary for those seeking to remain relevant, current, and marketable throughout their chosen professions.
Colleges are embracing and rallying to the need for lifelong learning by modernizing their online course offerings, certificate programs, and accredited degree programs. While some are ahead of the curve, others will follow. Everything today seems driven by technology, from businesses to personal lifestyles. Universities of the future will offer increasingly flexible, short-term learning opportunities that permeate the learning experience over everyone's lifetime.[xxii]
The recent pandemic has accelerated corporate trends toward adopting workplace automation, AI, and advanced analytics, as well as focusing on learning and development (L&D) to better handle long-term challenges and short-term crises. Recent studies reveal that few companies had L&D programs before the pandemic.
Research shows that L&D enables companies to equip themselves to take on new challenges by ensuring their workforce has the skills to implement and adopt technologies that enhance productivity and competitiveness. However, this requires investing in L&D with a long-term perspective, a commitment towards establishing a skills baseline and inventory, and designing individual learning pathways that accommodate evolving conditions to equip workers to adapt and remain agile over time.[xxiii]
Embracing lifelong learning enriches our knowledge and skills and enhances career adaptability and resilience in a rapidly evolving job market. By committing to continuous growth and development, individuals can proactively navigate career challenges, seize new opportunities, and achieve sustained professional success.
Dangerous Undercurrents
A notable segment of our population scorns those with knowledge and education. Individuals who harbor aversions towards academics or those engaging in research outside formal education often believe their own common sense is superior. They often disdain knowledge and expertise because they contradict their biases or intuition.
Don't hate what you don't understand! âJohn Lennon, English singer, songwriter, musician, and peace activist.
Pursuing intellectual knowledge often clashes with and challenges established philosophies, societal structures, and prevailing power dynamics. Those who wish to maintain power and privilege resist advanced learning and education by dismissing new ideas as irrelevant or false (e.g., labeling them as "fake news"). When scientific evidence emerges, especially if it doesn't comprehensively explain every facet of an issue, "anti-elitism" is invoked to discredit scientists, researchers, and experts, portraying existing research as useless, contradictory, and unnecessary.
Isaac Asimov noted in the 1980s that "... anti-intellectualism has been nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'" With the rise of the internet and social media, people are more prone to sharing information without critically assessing the sources and motives behind it, contributing to the spread of misinformation. Politicians, influencers, corporations, and religious institutions often exploit this trend.
For instance, corporations opposing clean energy policies use strategies reminiscent of the tobacco industry's efforts to sow doubt about the dangers of smoking, as seen in the infamous 1969 memo stating: "'Doubt is our product,' since it is the best means of competing with the body of fact that exists in the minds of the general public."
There are several ways in which we can combat anti-intellectualism. We all must contribute if we are to be successful as a whole:
- Embrace the idea of not knowing everything, and see it as a driving force for continuous growth and learning.
- Practice the willingness to change your mind based on new, truthful, and defendable information, recognizing it as adaptive learning rather than weakness or failure.
- Foster continuous learning by reading broadly, and critically evaluate the arguments presented.
- Initiate challenging conversations with friends, family, and peers, being mindful of emotions during these interactions.
- Actively counter falsehoods and conspiracy theories in public discourse, serving as a voice of reason and encouraging others to emulate such behavior and techniques.[xxiv]
- Leaders, educators, and experts should avoid dictating, and instead focus on educating with facts and details. Initiating respectful dialogues, patiently answering questions, and seeking to understand detractors' perspectives can help build a common understanding. Techniques should be relevant to diverse backgrounds, and acknowledging people's natural distrust for experts is crucial for fostering productive discourse.[xxv]
Anti-intellectualism significantly challenges societal progress by devaluing expertise, critical thinking, and rigorous inquiry. Overcoming this phenomenon requires a renewed commitment to promoting education, fostering a culture that values knowledge and thoughtful discourse, and encouraging lifelong learning as foundational principles for a thriving and informed society.
The secret of freedom lies in educating people, whereas the secret of tyranny is in keeping them ignorant. âMaximilien Robespierre, French lawyer, and statesman.
NOTES
[i] Education, in the most: Michael Bloomberg. Mike Bloomberg at the 2019 NAACP Convention: Education Holds the Key to Our Biggest Challenges. https://www.bloomberg.org/blog/follow-data-podcast-mike-bloomberg-110th-naacp-annual-convention-remarks/ (accessed 9/12/2019)
[ii] On the other hand: Mareo McCracken. The 10 Most Impactful Books To Read in 2019 (+ listed in the order they should be read). https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/10-most-impactful-books-read-2019-listed-order-should-mareo-mccracken (accessed 1/1/2019).
[iii] Science has shown: Jessica Stillman. This is How Reading Rewires Your Brain, According to Neuroscience. https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/reading-books-brain-chemistry.html (accessed 2/22/2021).
[iv] Investing in yourself: Taylor Locke. Mark Cuban on the 'best investment' he ever made: 'Most people don't put in the time' to do it. https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/personalfinance/mark-cuban-on-the-best-investment-he-ever-made-most-people-dont-put-in-the-time-to-do-it/ar-BB19INvZ (accessed 1/25/2021).
[v] Given the societal: Ayelet Haimson Lushkov. Underfunding classics and humanities is dangerous. https://thehill.com/opinion/education/540804-underfunding-classics-and-humanities-is-dangerous (accessed 2/27/2021).
[vi] Female students are: Jeroo Billimoria. Is STEM education all it's cracked up to be? https://medium.com/world-economic-forum/is-stem-education-all-its-cracked-up-to-be-d73d3364b8dd (accessed 6/25/2020).
[vii] While a nationwide: John Murawski. An argument against emphasis on STEM education. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainment/books/article73350382.html (accessed 6/25/2020).
[viii] These days, there's: Bill Gates. We need more Rogers. https://www.gatesnotes.com/Books/Range (accessed 12/27/2020).
[ix] Successful companies leverage: 2U. To future-proof your career, start by embracing cross-disciplinary thinking. https://qz.com/1589490/to-future-proof-your-career-start-by-embracing-cross-disciplinary-thinking/ (accessed 5/7/2020).
[x] Companies highly value: Vikram Mansharamani. Harvard lecturer: 'No specific skill will get you ahead in the future'âbut this 'way of thinking' will. https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/careersandeducation/harvard-lecturer-no-specific-skill-will-get-you-ahead-in-the-future-but-this-way-of-thinking-will/ar-BB15vFE6 (accessed 4/23/2021).
[xi] Often, we emphasize: Matt Krupnick. After decades of pushing bachelor's degrees, U.S. needs more tradespeople. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/education/decades-pushing-bachelors-degrees-u-s-needs-tradespeople (accessed 11/4/2019).
[xii] These days, students: Glenn Adamson. Making The Nation. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/state-american-craft-never-been-stronger-180976483/ (accessed 1/28/2021).
[xiii] Apple's Tim Cook: Tim Cook Discusses Apple's Future in China I Fortune. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ng8xQ-SNGc (accessed 2/2/2023).
[xiv] And yet, we're seeing: Max Taves. Why do Republicans keep attacking higher education? There's a sinister reason. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/opinion/article285745351.html (accessed 11/27/2024).
[xv] Regardless of political agendas: George D. Kuh. Why Skills Training Can't Replace Higher Education. https://hbr.org/2019/10/why-skills-training-cant-replace-higher-education (accessed 9/8/2022).
[xvi] Unfortunately, while community: James Sullivan. As community college students return to class, let's help them graduate. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/as-community-college-students-return-to-class-lets-help-them-graduate/ar-AAOT436 (accessed 9/27/2021).
[xvii] Arizona recently passed: Laurie Roberts. Allowing Arizona's' community colleges to offer bachelor's degrees? Now, that's smart. https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/laurieroberts/2021/05/04/arizona-community-colleges-can-now-offer-bachelor-degrees-smart/4945997001/ (accessed 5/6/2021).
[xviii] Google is working: The Latest from the Talent Tech Industry. https://tatech.org/ta-tech-business-newz-18/ (accessed 4/1/2022).
[xix] Half of the U.S.: LaShana Lewis. How tech's outdated reliance on college degrees hinders workplace DEI. https://www.fastcompany.com/90943937/how-techs-outdated-reliance-on-college-degrees-hinders-workplace-dei (accessed 9/11/2023).
[xx] While educators are: Armstrong Williams. Too few good men and women. https://thehill.com/opinion/finance/532058-too-few-good-men-and-women (accessed 12/31/2020).
[xxi] Successful companies often: Lifelong learning is key to success for Infosys. https://brand-studio.fortune.com/infosys/why-investing-in-diverse-talent-is-a-business-imperative/?prx_t=aJsGAc4NLAovEQA (accessed 4/18/2021).
[xxii] In the current job market: Andrew Hermalyn. Adapting higher education for the lifelong learner. https://brand-studio.fortune.com/2u/adapting-higher-ed-for-lifelong-learner/? (accessed 6/30/2021).
[xxiii] The recent pandemic: David G. Collings and John McMackin. The Practices That Set Learning Organizations Apart. https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/the-practices-that-set-learning-organizations-apart/ (accessed 2/6/2022).
[xxiv] Pursuing intellectual knowledge: Edric Huang, Jenny Dorsey, Claire Mosteller, Emily Chen. Understanding Anti-Intellectualism in the U.S. https://www.studioatao.org/post/understanding-anti-intellectualism-in-the-u-s (accessed 1/5/2022).
[xxv] Leaders, educators: Monica Potts. Why Being Anti-Science is now Part Of Many Rural Americans' Identity. https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/why-being-anti-science-is-now-part-of-many-rural-americans-identity/ (accessed 4/25/2022).
General Career Intelligence is a well-organized, well-written collection of distinctions, explanations, and insights that provide helpful guidance, no matter who you are and what you do.
The book is laid out into sections which delve into various topics, providing clarity on issues you may face personally, such as managing your emotions or finding courage and persistence, and issues faced professionally, such as transitioning into a new career. The breadth of topics covered is impressive to say the least. But the topics are not simply included to bulk up the page count of the book; each section has true substance and meaningful insight. You can clearly tell that this book is a product of an author's long career (and life), one that was loaded with a breadth of experiences. The writing process I'm sure involved many hours of reflecting on specific key life moments where the discussed skill or concept either came in handy or would have come in handy if more refined at the time. You don't write a book with this much variety and breadth of wisdom without having been around intelligent and successful people for a long time.
I feel like General Career Intelligence is a Father's collection of wisdom and insight, neatly compiled and curated for his children to refer to for guidance, for whatever stage of life they're at, so that they can soak up all of what made it work for dad, and delivered in a way that is more well-received than a "teachable moment" dinner table story. So, my recommendation would be to read this book just as such; pick it up and find the section that is most relevant to you based on where you are in life, and let the wisdom of an experienced parent-figure find you and guide you at the moment where the advice offered is exactly what you most need to hear.