Smart while in college

Something bothers me every time I speak in colleges and universities. I sense a lack of seriousness among our college students. That, and a lack of understanding as to the world that awaits them when they graduate.

Filipinos are now considered the world’s most emotional people. Everywhere you look here in the country, bright, young faces seem to be perpetually smiling. But I am concerned that our young college students, who would either join the work force or get in the unemployment lines once they graduate, seem to lack a sense of urgency or care in identifying a meaningful career, enterprise or profession to take up post-college. Many of them are still too much into gadgets, games, girls (or boys) and gimmicks, when they should be working on figuring out the kinds of jobs or markets they will have to explore after studies.

Business is dynamic – there’s always movement and change. There was a time when college professors would say that the future belongs to accountancy. Hordes of students took up accountancy, but then many of them ended up jobless. But now accountancy is once more in great demand, but with a twist – with the growing number of BPO companies filling in the vacancies.

Remember the time when every parent’s wish was for his or her child to take up nursing? Even doctors took up nursing as well, because it opened doors for migration. And so enrollment for the nursing course soared. Schools specializing in nursing were built. Medical schools almost closed because of low enrollment. But now almost all of those doors for nursing have closed, and so have many nursing schools. And the enrollment for medical courses has increased substantially.

This is how fast business change.

If your kids are still in college, they need to start anticipating the job market of the fields they’re studying. Some areas will offer tons of growth and financial rewards. Others will be tough slogging, but many people have ridden that wave to fame and fortune. Your kids will need to find the best wave to ride for their future.

History offers us a great lesson.

The rivalry between artists of renown was vicious. These two big names were at the center of it: Leonardo da Vinci and the younger Michaelangelo. Da Vinci knew that this young newcomer has potential. The more experienced artist positioned his younger rival as a mere sculptor. He had the power, the influence, the fame plus the network to do that. Not just that – Da Vinci even tried to convince the public that, in his expert opinion, the young artist was merely a technician who looked like a “baker” with the white marble dust on his clothes, and is far from being an artist like himself.

But the young Michelangelo was restless. He studied the situation (market).

He went on to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. His dynamic, muscular style of painting – influenced by his background as a sculptor – immediately became the talk of Rome. And the fight was over.

Michelangelo capitalized on his strength and worked on his sweet spot, creating a lot of public interest and securing for himself an immortal place in the history of arts.

As early as in college, each student should begin searching for their sweet spot which would lead him or her to the best market opportunity.

Change can be scary, but it’s scarier not to change. The only way to predict your future is to create it.

Look for the sweet spot – the intersection of a great idea and a market need you can satisfy – and you’ll find yourself in business. Start young and early, and stay ahead of the pack.

(Develop your leadership skills and spend two whole days with Francis Kong this January 30-31 at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel as he facilitates the well-acclaimed Dr. John C. Maxwell program “Developing The Leader Within You.” For further inquiries, contact Hannah at 09228980196, or call 632-6310912 for details.)