Many of you will be familiar with the popular proverb, “curiosity killed the cat,” – inquisitiveness leads to danger, but is this really the kind of emotional guidance young people should be taking forward into their careers? We’ve all grown up in a school system that suppresses curiosity; classes have become a one-way stream of information that adheres to the … Read More
First Big Break
To get that first stepping-stone job, you must prove you have talent. It’s that simple.
The education guarantee
I don’t understand why so many graduates leave university and then blame their education for not equipping them with the skills to find employment. Education is not a guarantee and never was (it was just very efficient at working for the old system). Education was created to help the industrial economy recruit ‘made to order’ workers who could take on … Read More
Don’t blame your people, blame your plan.
I went to Tech hubs Creative Tech Meet up today to listen to Ping Fu – CEO of Geomagic who talked about her own 3D printing start up business. One thing she said really resonated with me, “If things aren’t working, don’t blame your people, blame your plan.” Although this is great advice in terms of business start-ups, I think … Read More
Why do you want a job anyway?
This is a question more young people really need to ask themselves before they starts firing their CVs out into the world. Just because it’s the done thing after education and feels like the necessary step forward in your life doesn’t always mean it’s the right step, especially if you’re focusing on the wrong goals. Work should never be a … Read More
Why authority no longer works.
Most people who claim to have authority only do so because someone else has granted it to them, usually of higher authority. Fortunately, this ego-powered process is in quick demise as the new economy demands leaders who create more leaders rather than cracking the whip. Authority flourished in the industrial economy because most work was piece rate and required fairly … Read More
5 Life Lessons From ‘Bad’ Part Time Jobs.
Reports say that more graduates are now taking on menial jobs that require little to no skill. For me, a job only becomes ‘bad’ when it stops working for you. Here is a list of five part time jobs I’ve experienced and the valuable life lessons that came with them… 1. Labouror: Knowing I have the ability to create something … Read More
Why painkillers are better than vitamins
No, I’m not talking about tablets, I’m talking about human beings. Vitamins are the kind of people who are excellent at maintaining the status quo. They’re efficient, obedient and never veer too far from the iron tracks. The painkiller on the other hand goes out in search of pain. The new economy demands painkillers, innovators, people who spot problems the rest … Read More
12 Books Every Graduate Student Must Read To Thrive In The Digital Economy
When I left education, the post uni blues set in, I felt lost and vulnerable. In the same month after sending out countless résumés to no avail, I was forced to sign on. I felt as if I had wasted three years of my life but the truth of the matter was, I had no clear vision and hadn’t prepared myself … Read More
F**k being realistic.
The worst bit of advice you can give someone who is looking for work or planning to start their own being is to be realistic with their expectations. I hate the word realistic. Being realistic means not pushing yourself too far, not over committing, it’s hedging your bets, playing it safe. The most damaging thing about those people telling you … Read More