Reader, I'm an OOG (Official Old Guy) and my career aspirations are mostly history. I don't intend to ride into the sunset, but I know I have more history than future story. On the other hand, Miley and JJ are both HS seniors and are just about to enter their careers (whatever they may be). My generation has written its history; their generation is just starting. And I'm concerned for them. Here's an excerpt from some of Kyla Scanlon's writings (look her up, she's really smart) to see some of my concerns. "Young people today face a triple disruption: technological creative destruction through AI and algorithmic systems, plus political and economic upheaval through tariffs and increasing fiscal uncertainty. While every generation has faced challenges, today’s young people confront a massive reckoning between technology, economic opportunity, and personal identity. Across the U.S., young people tell me the same thing: They’re worried about jobs, but more important, they question whether the concept of a “career” will even exist in five years. They’re graduating into a Great Uncertainty, where traditional pathways to security are disappearing, affecting how they think about their entire economic future — from employment to homeownership to marriage to having kids." (Kyla Scanlon in Scott Galloway's 8/8/25 No Mercy / No Malice email) And yet ......My mother lived in Europe in WW I, survived the Depression of the 1930s, and worried while her brother (a German soldier) and her fiancé (my father) fought in WW II. Her attitude was that "we'll make it through tough times." She faced reality and dealt with it. And so ....One of the foundational skills of people who are prepared for the future is their skill of learning and adapting "in real time." Humanity has traversed multiple industrial revolutions and smart people have survived and thrived. They didn't fight the evolving reality; they learned and rode it into the future. I’m concerned, but I think Miley and JJ will do just fine. They’ll learn along the way. BTW, we're moving this week. I'm a bit busy, so this issue is duplicated on LinkedIn. If you see it and like it give me a clap. Bill |
Four careers over 50+ years. USMC, engineering, consulting, education. Past twenty years have focused on helping leaders become and remain relevant during times of change.
Reader Last week I reflected on the small study conducted by some MIT researchers and a disturbing finding. They asked 58 students to write an essay. Some could use ChatGPT to create an initial draft. Some could use Google-search for research. And some had to draw entirely on their own knowledge and reasoning. 83% of those who used ChatGPT to draft their work couldn’t recall a single sentence minutes later. The researchers referred to this as “AI-induced amnesia.” Four Questions Reflect on...
Reader (We are still unpacking from our move from Colorado to Illinois, so this is very short. I’ll comment on this in the next issue. In the meantime, ponder the impact of this technology on you and your family. It’s not going to go away.) “Writing is how we think our way into a subject and make it our own. Writing enables us to find out what we know—and what we don't know—about whatever we're trying to learn.” (William Zinsser, Writing to Learn, 1988) Zinsser’s book has been a companion for...
Reader, Rin Duong Artificial intelligence (AI) is being discussed everywhere, and we are certainly not lacking for a wide variety of opinions as to its impact. Some of the opinions are from real experts, some from intelligent novices, and some from people who simply have an opinion. However, there is little consensus as to how bad or how good AI will be for society, businesses, and our careers. So, here’s my recommendation: think about it for yourself! Prepare for the impact of AI on YOUR...