Economic Responsibility: The Potential of a Budding Generation

It often baffles me to hear how pessimistic emerging college graduates are as they tirelessly search the dreaded job market. A laundry list of problems surface in the minds of so many before taking a minute to get their hands dirty in research for employment opportunities, opportunities awaiting an eager – and resourceful – employee to-be. I personally dismiss any notion stating that America’s economy cannot benefit from personal contributions.

It would be foolish for me to bypass acknowledging America’s economic downfall, that of which swallowing the jobs of so many. I would sound completely naïve if I were to say that as future business leaders of our nation, we should not fret over a temporary (let’s hope) lack of jobs throughout our country. However, this is not to say that our generation should surrender our optimism, sip from our half-empty glass and ignore the opportunities awaiting us at this very moment.

Though several months separate me, along with many my college peers, from this so called “real world”, I grow more and more eager to broaden my professional interest to accommodate the current and forecasted needs of America. Emerging industries are crying out for the resourceful and technologically advanced minds of this rising generation. From social media to global online networking, the ability for new college graduates to offer solutions to age-old issues is ever relevant. How so? Well our offerings include evolving know-how, such as authoring the manual connecting varying demographics or our ability to mobilize thousands of attention ‘spanless’ individuals through social networking and new media. These are examples of the services and skills known by this tech savvy generation.

Everyday I come across stories of students who are establishing themselves as innovators amongst seasoned professionals. However, by no means would it be fair to say that new and future graduates can plunge into the business world and claim the title of Top Dog. We must learn from those who have come before us, those who have laid the foundation for America’s business environment and those who continue to ensure the nation’s economic success and sustainability – a concern of increasing relevance in our ‘bailout’ society.

In order to be future success stories, we must acknowledge and learn from the stories written by some of the most brilliant business minds in the world. I personally study the field of communications and political science, so it is only appropriate to seek communicators who have driven innovation and subsequently shaped the industry in which I will spend my career. For those students who top the ranks of their classroom as engineering students, financial analysts, medical students and even fashion designers, take initiative and pursue a career that needs you – for your novelty could help catalyze our wounded economy.

It is only a matter of time before our budding generation bears the responsibility of ensuring future economic stability and solidifying America’s reputation as leaders of the business world. Why leave such incredible opportunities to anybody else? Why spend time pigeon holing oneself by searching for a job that likely is unavailable for the time being.

Let us use this time of economic struggle as a lesson for why our generation needs to work hard, be transparent in our endeavors and strive to be leaders within our chosen industry. Turn discouragement into motivation, and use this newfound motivation to capitalize on the opportunities to benefit not only yourself, but the future generation of business leaders.

I personally dismiss any notion stating that America’s economy cannot benefit from personal contributions.

Aimless use of Social Media

I would be lying if I said that I haven’t given many ‘props’ to social media. I also would be lying if I said that I have not based many of my business proposals solely off the fact that companies absolutely need to use social media. I supposed the fact that contributing to this blog is a direct indication that I am in fact a sucker for this ever-evolving communicational craze.

However, I cannot help but think about the amount of hours many must spend – from top to bottom – by professionals in an array of industries to contribute to this self-marketing obsession (not saying all social media focuses on the self – read below). As studies indicate, and there are many studies to choose from, the use of such sites as Twitter, digg, del.icio.us, mybloglog and even LinkedIn have increased at higher rates than How I Met You Mother. This raises a significant question: Where do these influential titans of industry get so much free time to talk – at times aimlessly – about anything and everything on the platforms provided by these social media sites?

Let us not forget that CEO rates tip the scales at an average of $200 or more. Let us not forget that most of this networking is done during peak hours during the ‘work’ day. I am not discounting the fact that social media is used to garner ideas and generate innovative new thinking, however, does it not bother anybody else to see upwards of 15 one-sentence replies to a comment about somebody’s ‘status update’ on LinkedIn?

Maybe this is simply an obscure thought, but how, as professionals and potential marketing trend setters, can we justify the waste of so much time on hollow conversation? For those who are leading key discussions and conversing about relative, impactful topics, keep on keeping on – you are amongst the few who are using the phenomena known as social media for all the right reasons.

BG

How does one celebrate another who has impacted the lives of so many, all while being mindful that this person’s reach extended in 16 years what many would not be able to touch in a lifetime?

How do you say ‘thank you’ for lessons learned through another’s strife and pain, all while realizing that relinquishment of individual hardships shed conversely without hesitation nor remorse?

How can personal lessons of optimism and gratefulness be taught through observing a life unjustly cut short, all while realizing that the role model of so many was barely old enough to, legally, get behind the wheel of a car?

Is it illogical to think that we can learn much more from those with so much less, or purely irony that we preach appreciation and love, but only truly understand such concepts when our loved ones are lost?

These are questions that can only be answered when life turns unexpectedly, seemingly without reason or reconciliation.

Thank you Brandon – you touched the lives of so many, and were an inspiration to all.

Oh, Iraq

In the words of the woeful womanizer film historians know as Austin Powers: 'honestly, who throws a shoe?'

As if America was in need of another reminder that our country is due for a serious sit-down with our global neighbors, here is a man who stands – now barefoot – by his beliefs and his right** to freedom of speech.

**inalienable rights may vary depending on country

In a scene that would adore any savvy Shakespearean admirer, I believe the new Iraqi Youtube hero justified his actions via a simple sonnet as he shouted “I am, indeed, sir, a surgeon to old shoes; when they are in great danger; I recover them (Julius Caesar, I, i)." Has America's Secret Security no sympathy for an Iraqi shoemaker?

Joking aside, I cannot help but to give my admiration (a first for me) and damn deserved kudos to Bush for displaying such athleticism and Dodgeball like movements as he ducked, dodged and dove in a speed that would humble even the world's fastest and most nimble (yes, I am talking about Steven Purugganan).

Maybe this man, the leader of our country and the free world, deserves some respect after all...

America's Finest

Never before have I truly been taken back to the point of irrefutable self-intuition and personal insight. Call me crazy; whether for agreeing to partake in an adventure that would carry me thousands of miles across the country in a 10 X 6 oversized porta-potty on wheels (minus the bathroom, of course) or for drinking a 32 oz. Diet Coke before departing on a 19 hour trip from Dallas to Phoenix. However, as miles of asphalt pass like the previous two months of my life, I find myself getting farther from Anywhere, USA and approaching towns that draw one simple response, “Could you imagine living out here?”

Fortunately (maybe not for the others stuck in our 6-wheel limousine) I had made a decision to veer away from any eatery known by Joe Anybody as close as two cities away. Fortunately, with the help of local residents who have been far from shy to lend a recommendation – in turn for an explanation for what a purple school bus was doing in their town – I have found some of the country’s greatest restaurants, parlors, cafeterias and believe it or not, portable restaurants (think oversized hot dog stands).

“This is America” – Fellow ‘roadtripper’

From sporadic dinners in the Spanish ghetto near El Paso, compliments of a friendly Mexican woman serving up homemade tortillas filled with beef brisket, to charbroiled oysters and gumbo topped with an oversized mug of Abita, to a triple meat Po’Boy with Texas’ best fixins, this trip has made me wonder what else is out there that can only be discovered when you allow yourself to get lost in the desert lands and rolling hills of this great country.

With one window down, country music flowing steady and a stomach full of curiosity (and today’s lunch), America’s ‘heartland’ allows us to pass through, gaze in amazement, meet some of the most genuine people I’ve ever met and move on to see what lies ahead on the road back home.

Real Men of Genius

Today we salute you Mr. Major Network Television Station Program Planner –

With no concern for any news other than America’s future hero of our homeland or our cannonballing economy or environment, this man fears not about repetitive reporting and simultaneous show segmenting, for he knows that no matter how educated the viewer, somebody in TV land has their TiVo set on every debate recap, swing-state speech and celebrity endorsement aired from dusk until dawn.

Fear not about missing the latest on Alaska’s finest export since the igloo or ice bar – this daily dictator of political developments will ensure that every station covers the political arena’s newest topic at the top of each and every hour, until your ears turn blue and your nose turns red with the love for either of the two hopefuls parties.

Whereas many American’s need to hear about the Maverick’s robotic like arm gestures, the “One’s” plan to save the world or the intolerable sibling of our candid candidate, Mr. Program Planner knows that others need to know not once, not twice, but three, four or five times in order to understand the spectrum of our societies election cycle, be it Barack’s blue jeans to Palin’s $150k blouses.

So grab a super Grande cup of your favorite Jo, add an extra shot of espresso and get to work Barer of the control room buttons, it’s time for an election.

TV: "Welcome" to Monday night television

Birds chirp, cows moo, cars honk and girls... well girls gossip. So, what better to talk about than the show of all girl shows, Gossip Girls. I am proud to say that I watched my first episode of the series that actually takes the cell phones out of a girl's hands, ceases the talk about Zac Efron and draws them to a cozy spot - probably in pajamas with a pint of Ben & Jerry's Phish Food or a bowl of movie theatre butter popcorn - on their favorite Monday night couch**

**a location used only on Monday nights, typically with a group of similar-aged friends, coworkers, etc.

So what makes my experience worth writing about? Well, aside my conformity in order to avoid the social stigma of being a 'non-Gossip' watcher, I find myself sitting in a hotel room in Orlando, FL with my two coworkers, whose wide eyes glare at the TV with perky ears, upright posture and melting hearts for the everso dramatic happenings of Joe Humphry, Serena van der Woodsen and Nate Archibold (thank you to Google for the names). Never before have I heard more "o snaps", "OMG", "no she didn't" or "backstabbing wh*re".

I've got to be honest, the thrill that radiates from my fellow Monday night 'watchers' is contagious, possibly infectious, and I have to say it... but I may be... a... Gossip Girl fan (?)

Note: Idea for a new show: Gossip Boy