How you can better position yourself for success in today’s economy | Biden News

Only a third of higher education students report having an excellent university experience, according to the Connected Customers Report 2022. One of the key findings of the report is how students feel about preparing for the future of work. Nearly half (47%) of students report choosing their institution for career prospects, but only 11% feel highly prepared for work. Students who feel prepared are four times more likely to have a great university experience. In addition, almost half of the students surveyed (49%) plan to continue their education to college after graduation.

Better use of technology to enable flexible learning models is also key to student success. Students who had great experiences reported having easy online access to data and resources (86% great experiences vs. 49% bad experiences), services available via mobile (82% vs. 61%), positive digital experiences (81% vs. 36 %), access to sharing platforms (80% vs. 57%), and personalized experiences tailored to their needs (60% vs. 11%). More than half (57%) of staff anticipate that flexible learning will increase in the near future.

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To better understand what universities and colleges are doing to prepare students for the future of work, I connected with Lily Awad, Adjunct Instructor and Senior Associate Director at Babson College’s FW Olin Graduate School of Business. I also visited Babson College to meet and collaborate with their graduate students. Babson College has held the #1 entrepreneurial ranking for undergraduate and MBA programs (US News & World Report) for more than two decades, and was named the best college for business majors (Money Magazine).

Here is Lily Awad’s advice and perspective on how students and working professionals can better position themselves for success in today’s economy and the future of work:

It’s true, technology will turn our future upside down. In fact, we are already experiencing this change, especially in the workplace. Just a few years ago we all moved to virtual environments overnight. We learned a lot about ourselves during the process, most importantly that we were able to change. Now and in the near future we are expected to be working with more advanced technologies (think robots, cobots, and smart buildings). Change is exciting, but sometimes overwhelming. This article offers techniques to help workers become flexible and adaptable during a dynamic work environment.

Is the world of work human-centered and skill-based? According to work futurist Sophie Wade “a new era of work is focused on people as individuals … their different talents, needs, obligations and motivations.” A Deloitte report calls “a new operating model for work and workforce a ‘skills-based organization’ in which skills rather than jobs are used as the basis for decisions about employment and workforce.” Today companies are hiring for skills, and people are moving to organizations that meet their lifestyle needs.

Our understanding of the world of work is experiencing a moment. Yes, the world is changing and the way we work is constantly changing with it. Today, we see flatter organizations, more choice in the workplace, institutional investment in innovation and technology, and the need for specialized skills businesses that result in skills upgrading and retraining for talent retention.

Another force of change will occur in our lives. We don’t know what the future holds, but we may be able to control how we respond. Adapting to the intention is the key. Humans have adapted since the beginning of time. Dr Rick Potts, paleoanthropologist and Director of the Smithsonian Museum believes “we are the most adaptable of the species”. So even though the Covid lockdown period, the mandate to work from home, and the application of new technology are difficult for some people, it is not impossible. People make it work for them, in their own way, and through a process of adaptation.

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How do we prepare for the unknown? Practicing adaptability, perhaps through simulation (future metaverse simulation, anyone?) is an important way to prepare. The three-step process outlined here is based on a method designed and taught by my colleague Lisa Mesicek and can help people adapt to the future of work:

1. Utilizing Self Awareness: At Babson College students are taught to use entrepreneurial thinking and action (ET&A®) to solve problems. The ET&A® method is used in every discipline across campus and even in student services. At the Graduate Career Development Center, we design the Career Education curriculum with ET&A® in mind. Students are often asked to begin with a personal mission statement: what is your rationale? If there’s a skill you enjoy using, how could you dream of a job that would allow you to use that skill? Today career education at Babson has shifted to also prepare students for different work environments — physical space, work location and work schedule have become greater considerations when applying, negotiating, and accepting job offers.
2. Develop Foresight: Understand that things change quickly, you may be able to predict when change will come, but you can also be a part of it. For example, if you find yourself in an undesirable work situation, how do you use ET&A® to change it and, ultimately, design the experience you want? Understanding the difference between opportunity and a truly bad situation is an exercise in self-awareness. Having the self-awareness and foresight to predict your fit in a changing world is essential. However, developing foresight is not an easy task. At Babson Lisa and I will be teaching workshops on how to prepare for unknown use cases and simulations (keep on part 2 of this article to learn how it goes).
3. Build Your Community: We thrive on human relationships. Build a community that helps you get information to develop foresight, gives you feedback, and supports you in achieving your cause. Start by following thought leaders on social media. Funnel to those who are accessible for one-on-one conversations. Being curious and learning how others are adapting can help you integrate new strategies and expand your network can lead to more choices in the future.

These three tips are a starting point. In the new year, the Babson Graduate Career Development Center will test this process in the classroom in an effort to keep students in tune with the changing work landscape. Stay tuned for part 2 where Lisa and Lily share more about how institutions can do their part to help shape futuristic talent.

This article was co-authored by Lily Awad, Adjunct Instructor and Senior Associate Director at FW Olin Babson College Graduate School of Business where she works with MBA and MS students, designing career education curricula, and teaching.