Think like an immigrant ...

I realize well the "I" word triggers many thoughts in many peoples' minds in our current economic world.  But in reading a great book by Tom Friedman, he speaks to the students today as they prepare for a brutal, challenging, much different world than the one when I sat in classrooms.  Friedman makes what I believe to be an excellent, insightful point to the point that it has affected my whole approach to my teaching in the Spring semester.  He asked the simple question for students in classes today and seeking a prosperous career ... how do you act like an immigrant?

So for a few minutes let's blank out the terms that are venomous to many and concentrate of what makes an immigrant an immigrant as compared to an establish family structure?  Well, an immigrant has no idea what job they will get but come prepared to adapt to whatever pathway is presented.  That is quite different than a child from a working family, such as my family growing up, and it was understood I was going to work where my parents worked. SO an immigrant does not have what Friedman calls a "legacy" job.  Those of you born in Canton probably have Timken tattooed on your DNA somewhere for example.

Immigrants have no infrastructure. Immigrants have no root structure.  Immigrants are not educated like the inhabitants.  Immigrants standard of living is built on necessity versus the legacy of being owed or entitled.  Oh, by the way, we are ALL immigrants by birthright, right?  For me, when I really let the perspective of an immigrant roll around my head, it begins to blow away many things including stereotypes, expectations, beliefs and desires that lie dormant inside me.

Friedman, rightly I believe, is points us in one direct.  The days of having a position because you are born or even get a degree from a university are archaic.  The positions, the successful folks of the future that begin today will be the ones that adapt and adjust to the reality they walk into.  Doing what we have always done, which is comfortable, will yield what we have always gotten --- that is a real plum choice today isn't it? 

I am more convinced that the roll through of how we learn, how we educate, how we teach, how we exist together is in a tremendous and painful paradigm shift.  Those that adapt as immigrants must for survival, will succeed. Those that whine and complain and do not strive to be better and different from the competition will not be as successful.

Take a few minutes and objectively think about what I am saying and its implication on each of you.  It is 2011 and not 1966.  It will soon be 2031 and you will have families and responsibilities but even more profoundly, the competition will be mountainous from throughout the world.  The hyper-connectivity world accelerates everything and those choosing to not engage and prepare will be swept into the wake of a dismal future.

So the challenge ... how do you stretch yourself to a new level, a more challenging drive to beat the competition and how will you CREATE YOUR OWN IDEA for the position that will propel you economically?  That is right, successful people going forward will be not the secretary, tire builder, pipe fitter but those that will take an idea, develop it, collaborate with others to make it work, market the idea to a price point that derives a profit. Yes, it is certainly not 1966 when I finished high school and it is certainly not 2031 that is awaiting you!

So think like an immigrant, please!