This past week millions of teenagers across the world graduated from high school. They were undoubtedly told the old clichés such as 'chase after your dreams' and 'aim for the sky.'
I distinctly remember some of the conversations I had at my graduation in 2008 with my old classmates. Of course, some of my classmates were boasting about how they were going to become wealthy business owners or successful lawyers. It's safe to say not everyone fulfilled his or her self-proclaimed potential.
Two honour roll students standout to me in particular when it comes to not fulfilling their potential. The one was supposed to be a lawyer, but his poor work ethic stood in the way of getting into law school. In addition, he's a testament to how just because you're smart in high school doesn't mean it will translate to college. The other classmate, meanwhile, went on to get his diploma as a chemical technician. He, however, can't get a job in his field because he screws the pooch in every interview due to his poor social skills.
At the other end of the spectrum, one my classmates who barely graduated went on to build a very successful carpentry business. I distinctly remember one of my teachers telling him he wouldn't 'amount to anything.' It really goes to show you that success or lack thereof in high school is an inaccurate indication of how your career will go.
Generation Screwed
There's this gloomy title stapled to the current young generation called "generation screwed." It ultimately insinuates they're in major trouble because the economy is in a downward spiral, among other reasons.
There's no denying the inevitability of the United States' economy crashing by 2020, as the country is over $17 trillion in debt. Nearly all of the economist insiders who predicted the 2008 crash years before it happened are saying the next one will be significantly worse. And when that happens, don't be naïve enough to think Canada won't fall with them.
Nonetheless, let's put on our rose-coloured glasses and pretend the crash won't be that bad. If the economy only takes a step back, will the younger generation be okay?
The answer to that is yes and no. The people who expect the CEO job straight out of college or want to work as little as possible are indeed screwed. On the flip side, those who are willing to put in the work, have character and social skills and can adapt to the times will do just fine.
Everyone has to take responsibility for his/her own actions; however, the baby boomers deserve some of the blame for the problems within younger circles. A lot of parents baby their kids and don't put enough emphasis on work ethic and character in the home.
I'm all for parents helping their kids beyond the 18th birthday. In fact, if you don't help your kids beyond their 18th birthday, you are without question setting them up for failure. You're not some old school tough-as-nails parent that you try to make yourself out to be; you're an ignorant buffoon living in '60s.
But here's the thing, you are also setting your children up for failure if you go to the other extreme. I see no problem in parents letting their kids live with them while they spend four-six years in college or even live at home the first couple of years out of high school when they're trying out various jobs. But if all of sudden little Johnny is still pumping gas at 25-years-old, it's time to show him the door. In fact, it would be time to kick him out when he hits 21-years-old if he still hasn't started to make strides towards a potential career.
On that cheerful note, congratulations to the graduating class of 2014.
KF
