Career Insights Agency

Can virtual job simulations change how students prepare for their careers? Traditional internships have been the go-to for gaining job experience, but virtual job simulations are changing that. Here’s why: 1. 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹-𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲: Pearson's partnership with Forage lets students do virtual job simulations that match their coursework. This connects classroom learning with real job tasks.     2. 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸: Students can try different roles in a low-risk setting, learning from mistakes without the pressure of a real job.     3. 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: Unlike traditional internships with limited spots, virtual job simulations offer endless opportunities. This allows students from all backgrounds and locations to gain valuable experience.     4. 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀: Completing these simulations can significantly boost students' confidence and attractiveness to employers. Students who complete these simulations are more than twice as likely to get hired by those companies.     5. 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲-𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀: As the job market changes rapidly, using virtual simulations in education ensures students have the skills and experience needed for their careers. The future of work needs flexibility, continuous learning, and new ways to prepare for careers. Virtual job simulations are a great way to complement traditional methods and give students more opportunities. — Insights in this post are based on my interview with Andrew Gilfillan, General Manager at Pearson. — Every month, I interview business leaders to learn about the changing career landscape. If you’re a business leader with a unique perspective on careers and the future of work and would like to be interviewed, please DM me.

The future of work is here. Are you ready? The workplace is evolving at an unprecedented pace. Traditional career paths are fading, making way for a dynamic new era. Here’s what you need to know to stay ahead: 1. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀-𝗚𝗮𝗽 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀: • The World Economic Forum has recognized it as one of the greatest challenges of our time. • Rapid technological advancements, like AI, are creating new skill demands faster than the market can supply. • Over half of CEOs believe labor and skills shortages will significantly impact profitability over the next decade.    2. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗳-𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀: • Technical skills now have a "half-life" of around 2.5 years, meaning they become obsolete quickly. • Soft skills and cultural fit are becoming crucial. 92% of talent professionals prioritize these over hard skills. • Companies are increasingly hiring based on skills and behavioral fit, not just degrees and experience.    3. 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀: • Emphasize developing soft skills such as communication, resilience, and self-motivation. • Seek out employers with a strong culture of learning and development to ensure constant upskilling.    4. 𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗶𝗱-𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀: • The skills-based approach means experience alone is no longer enough. • Focus on continuous learning and adaptability to stay relevant in a changing job market.    5. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝘁𝗼 '𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗹𝘆' 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀: • Linear career paths are being replaced by more flexible, multi-faceted career trajectories. • Businesses are investing in reskilling and retaining employees to create sustainable workforces. • This shift benefits both companies and employees, reducing costs and increasing engagement and loyalty. The landscape is shifting, but with the right mindset and focus on continuous development, you can navigate the future of work successfully. Adaptability, lifelong learning, and a proactive approach to skill development are your keys to succeeding in this new world. — Insights in this post are based on my interview with Nick Shaw, Co-Founder of Spotted Zebra. — Every month, I interview business leaders (ex., CEOs, COOs, and Heads of HR) to learn about the changing career landscape. If you’re a business leader with a unique perspective on careers and the future of work, and you would like to be interviewed, please DM me.

The secret to navigating careers in a complex world Did you know that most American adults don't understand the career options available to them? Here's why: 1. 𝗧𝗼𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀: There are so many educational paths that it can be confusing.     2. 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗘𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Schools often fail to clearly explain the career options and skills that different programs offer.     3. 𝗟𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹-𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: Many people don't get to see or try real jobs before choosing a career. Enter Modern Campus. Modern Campus is helping people understand and choose their career paths better. Here's what they do: 1. 𝗢𝗻𝗲-𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Their platform brings together career, salary, and education data in one place. You can easily see job trends, salary information, and job opportunities.     2. 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀: Tools like the Career and Program Explorer help you look into specific careers, see job stats, and find programs that fit your goals.     3. 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲: With easy-to-use buttons, you can sign up for programs or meet with advisors who can help you plan your career. Modern Campus makes it easier to see the connection between education and careers. They give you clear, easy-to-understand info so you can plan a successful career. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: In today's job market, having a clear career path is essential. Modern Campus shows how schools can help students prepare for the future. 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆: Education is not just about getting a degree. It's about understanding and choosing the right career path for you. This post was based on my interview with Peter Devries, CEO of Modern Campus. — Every month, I interview business leaders (ex., CEOs, COOs, and Heads of HR) to learn how careers are changing. If you’re a business leader with a unique perspective on careers and the future of work, and you would like to be interviewed, please DM me.

“Think like a laboratory, not like a factory.” - Jacob Morgan In today's rapidly evolving world, sticking to the old ways can be a death sentence for any organization. Ever since the days of Henri Fayol and Frederick Winslow Taylor, companies have been built like factories—process-centric, resistant to change, and focused on efficiency above all else. This mindset is outdated. 🏭 Factories: • Embrace the status quo • Prioritize efficiency and linear processes • Ideal for repetitive tasks (think robots, not humans) But now, we have robots to handle those monotonous tasks. If your organization still operates like a factory, it’s on the path to obsolescence. 🔬 Laboratories: • Embrace experimentation and failure • Use data to drive decisions • Foster innovation and engagement In a world where change is constant, your organization must think like a laboratory. Experiment, learn, innovate. It’s the only way to stay relevant and competitive. Image credit: Jacob Morgan

Exposing the hidden crisis at work. It's shocking how many of us suffer in silence every day. • 83% of U.S. workers experience daily work-related stress (source: The American Institute of Stress). • 77% of employees have experienced burnout (source: Deloitte). • 77% of global employees are disengaged (source: Gallup). This isn't new. We've seen these stats for years. So why is it so hard to change? Let’s examine the words we use to describe our workplaces for clues: • Rat Race • Workaholics • Cubicle Farm • Wage Slavery • Dead-End Job • Human Capital • Lean and Mean • Hamster Wheel • Burnout Factory • Corporate Drone • Corporate Prison • Soul-Sucking Job • Human Resources • Golden Handcuffs • Bureaucratic Maze • Nine-to-Five Grind • Disposable Worker • Corporate Squeeze • Cog in the Machine These words sound like they belong in dystopian sci-fi, not in places millions of people go to every day. We’re facing a Workplace Humanity Crisis. This problem has to be solved not because it’s a noble or altruistic thing to do. We have to solve this so that companies can remain profitable and the country’s socio-economic infrastructure does not fall apart. Career Humanism is not a philosophical concept. It’s a necessity to counteract the Workplace Humanity Crisis.

Even Picasso started by copying others. All the greatest artists started by copying the masters before them—like Michelangelo, Raphael, and Leonardo. You wouldn't recognize Picasso's early work. He painted landscapes in a traditional style that looked indistinguishable from others. But legendary artists became great when they developed their own style. They inspired each other, learned from each other, and often helped each other. I see the same phenomenon in thought leadership today, especially on LinkedIn. I write about careers and the future of work, surrounded by others who share similar topics. Many began by quoting legends like: • Peter Drucker • Adam Grant • Simon Sinek Over time, each has developed their own "artistic style," whether it’s: • Quiet leadership • Burnout • Or a unique mix of career-related topics It’s exciting to watch and learn from my peers. (We need a new word for these relationships!) The “artistic style” I’m working on is called Career Humanism. I’m going to “paint” posts about: • Human potential • Human fulfillment • Human inspiration • Human connections • Human collaboration • And many others This is my form of self-expression, my lens on the world. Does Career Humanism resonate with you? What does it mean to you?

I've been exploring the concept of 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗺 lately. If you're not familiar with the term, I define it as: A holistic and human-centered approach to career development that prioritizes individual well-being, personal growth, and meaningful work Key components of 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗺: (𝟭) 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 • Considers the whole person, integrating personal values, passions, strengths, and life goals • Why It Matters: Traditional career planning often focuses on skills, market demands, and professional achievement, neglecting personal satisfaction and values alignment. (𝟮) 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻-𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 • Emphasizes individual well-being and personal growth in professional roles • Why It Matters: Organizations often prioritize productivity, efficiency, and profitability over employee mental health, leading to disengagement and high turnover. (𝟯) 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 • Advocates for careers that offer a sense of purpose and fulfillment • Why It Matters: Many career paths are designed around economic necessity and societal expectations, causing feelings of emptiness and lack of motivation. The impact of 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗺: • More supportive work environments • Sustainable and fulfilling careers • Enhanced well-being and reduced burnout Can we call someone a 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁? I believe we can. A 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁 aligns career development with intrinsic values, personal growth, and overall well-being to create fulfilling and meaningful careers. What do you think? Could 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗺 be the key to transforming our approach to career development?

Want unstoppable teams? Focus on what really motivates them from the inside out. Daniel Pink's book "Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us" has been my go-to guide for learning about intrinsic motivation. His framework consists of three key elements: 1️⃣ 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 – The sense of control and freedom in one's work 2️⃣ 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆 – The feeling of continuous improvement 3️⃣ 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 – A sense of meaningfulness Why it Matters: 💼 Autonomy • Freedom fosters engagement. • Micro-management diminishes it. • Promote a culture where team members can express their unique perspectives and make influential decisions.    📈 Mastery • Encourage growth. • Constant feedback helps. • Create a safe space for learning and stepping out of comfort zones. 🌍 Purpose • Purpose drives passion. • Aligning personal values with organizational goals enhances dedication. • Show team members how their work makes a difference. Tips to Implement: • 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗷𝗼𝗯 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 to allow employees to tailor their jobs to fit their interests and strengths better. • 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻-𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 to foster ownership and empowerment. • 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 to ensure everyone understands their impact and contribution. • 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 and recognize achievements. • 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝘀 to help them expand their skills. Image credit: BiteSize Learning _____ Find this useful? Repost to help your network ♻️.

A fulfilling career is when Monday feels as good as Friday. Here are three ways to help you get there: 1. Conduct regular self-reflective check-ins • Set aside time each month to assess your level of satisfaction with your role. • Reflect on your activities, accomplishments, and the joy they bring you. 2. Track your energy levels • Keep an energy journal where you note how energized or drained you feel after various tasks throughout the week. • Patterns will help identify the work that truly fulfills you. 3. Visualize your ideal workday • Imagine your perfect workday in detail. • Compare it with your current job to see how closely it aligns and identify areas needing improvement. What specific step will you take this week to move closer to a career that makes every day feel like Friday? Original tweet: Brian Feroldi _____ Find this useful? Repost to help your network ♻️.

Standing out requires effort. Here’s what you can do to start: 1. Leverage your unique strengths • Identify your strengths and what makes you unique. • Create a personal portfolio, website, or blog to highlight your skills, achievements, and experiences. 2. Take initiative • Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you. • Propose new projects, volunteer for assignments outside your job description, and be proactive in offering solutions. 3. Stay authentic • Be true to yourself. • Authenticity builds trust and helps you connect more deeply with others, both professionally and personally. What are you doing today to stand out? _____ Think this could help others? Repost to share with your network ♻️.