Many of today’s college students lack the mental toughness and fortitude that are necessary to deal with economic turbulence. Popular culture argues that parents should give the best to their children and spare them any suffering. In reality, many parents have crippled their children by solving their problems for them. As millions of college students battle unemployment, Dr. Daryl Green, a noted author, offers advice to parents about returning to basic common sense principles that will assist their college students in increasing their employability:
In this financial crisis, most people are easily discouraged. According to the Census Bureau, only 55.3% of people between 16 and 29 were employed in 2010 on average (that’s a significant drop from 67.3% in 2000). From a historical perspective on this matter, unemployment for this age group was the highest since World War II. Additionally, investors across the world are panicking and believe that a new recession is coming. The U.S. economy has grown at an annual rate of .7% in the first half of this year, which is the slowest growth since June 2009.
This reality has sent thousands of students returning home to their parents. Not wanting to see their children suffer, many parents have abandoned common sense. This includes putting in job applications for their adult children, and handling job negotiations for their adult children while giving them no responsibilities or choices at home. This situation allows these adult children to bear no burdens that comes along with adulthood. Dr. Daryl Green, a lecturer and renowned author, remarks that parents are robbing their children of gaining mental toughness. In the long run, parents are hurting their children. However, Dr. Green understands why most adult children accept being treated like small children.
Dr. Green explains“”, “It is a no-brainer for college students to stay in college as long as possible so that their living expenses will be paid for by their parents. Some parents have crippled their children. ” Dr. Green has established himself as one of the most prolific writers and problem solvers of his generation. The City of Knoxville has noted him as one of the ‘Famous Knoxvillians.’ The University of Tennessee lists him among the Tennessee writers. Dr. Green has written several books on this new 21st-century theme, including Breaking Organizational Ties and Publishing for Professionals.
Dr. Green’s new book, Don’t Be An Old Fool: Common Sense & Gratitude, provides a wake-up call to parents and other adults who have forgotten some basic common sense principles. Dr. Green argues, “Times are hard. I think many parents have done their children a disservice by making life too easy. If you do the same things that you’ve always been doing, then you shouldn’t be surprised if you get the same results.” The following are Dr. Green’s top picks for parents assisting their college graduates or students with finding future employment:
(1) Make expectations upfront to the college student so that he or she knows how to operate.
(2) Use business and social contacts to provide the college students with job leads. However, let the child conduct the necessary follow-up and discussion.
(3) Sit down with the child and discuss possible job options that might not have been considered.
(4) Allow someone respected (a close friend or co-worker) to further discuss job opportunities with the child.
(5) Consider allowing the child to stay with a relative in a different state where the job market is better or there are better job connections.
(6) Become the linchpin that connects the child with good problem-solving methods, without solving the problems for him or her.
(7) Teach your child about effective networking and encourage him or her to extend the networks globally with social media platforms such as Linkedin.com.
(8) Encourage the child to obtain special training or certifications to become more competitive.
(9) Encourage the child to volunteer with some organization needing assistance. Find an area of interest and make sure the child works 40 hours a week so that he or she will not get out of touch with being employed.
(10) Surround the child with high performers.
Dr. Green has done extensive research on job strategies for today’s future leaders. His last book, Job Strategies for the 21st Century, has been rated number one on Amazon.com. Dr. Green notes, “Everyone at some point has acted like a fool. I’m no exception. A fool is an individual who is unwilling to listen to common sense and wise counsel. Yet today’s job market demands that students listen to wise counsel if they hope for a better future.” College graduates, in particular, who often lack sufficient work experience, are having a tougher time securing suitable employment.
Don’t Be An Old Fool is available online at Amazon.com and other book retailers. You can also view the book trailer on Youtube.com at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_LKEMrIweA. For more information about the book or the authors, please contact Donna Gilliard at 865-216-9209. Dr. Green is available for media interviews on the issues of job strategies during economic turbulence.
About the Author
Dr. Daryl Green is a management strategist and nationally-recognized author who has been noted and quoted in major media outlets, including USA Today, Associated Press, Ebony, and BET. He is an adjunct professor at Lincoln Memorial University, and a former faculty member at Knoxville College. Green has spent more than 20 years assisting organizations and individuals with making good decisions.
