Cindy Downes

May. 24, 2005 - Career Training for Teens

Last weekend, we flew out to Delaware to attend my husband's 40th reunion and to visit relatives in New Jersey and Delaware. On our way out, I picked up the American Way magazine and read an interesting article by Samuel Greengard called "A Perfect Match." The article was about the "new world of behavioral-based hiring" or using "behavioral DNA" to select employees.

According to the article, employers (especially those in the service industry), are now using role-playing, simulations, group interviews (where an observer notes how candidates act with and react to each other,) and values and attitudes testing to find the right employee for their company in addition to traditional resumes. The idea behind it is that "although degrees, skills, and experience count," companies are now on the lookout for "compassion, diplomacy, energy, and confidence." Greengard quotes a company representative in his article as saying, "you can't transform a curmudeon into a cheerleader, or a brilliant but headstrong loner into a team player." The companies that use this tool are saying that it boosts customer satisfaction, reduces turnover, and fuels productivity by 20-30% or more.

So how does this affect homeschoolers? According to Dr. Brian Ray of the National Home Education Research Institute, homeschoolers have no problem with socialization (http://www.hslda.org/research/ray2003/Socialization.asp). I believe this is true for the majority of homeschooled students so our children will likely benefit from this type of hiring.

However, although Dr. Ray's statistics are accurate using the survey results he obtained, I personally know of several homeschooled families whose children would not answer the survey because they did not feel "successful." It reminds me of class reunions. You don't usually see the "unsuccessful, loners" at class reunions. In the same way, there may have been quite a few "unsuccessful, loners" who did not respond to Dr. Ray's survey. These children may have substantially lowered the socialization "success" rate.

The bottom line is, don't assume that because you are homeschooling, your children will turn out socially well-adjusted. There is more to it than homeschooling. Get your children out into the community. Give them volunteer and work experiences during their school years. This will not only benefit your children in developing good (now marketable!) social skills, but it will also be a blessing to the community around them. And then, not only will they get a great job (or be a great employer), but they will also hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant." when they have completed their job here on earth. What better resume can they have but that!

For more information on career training for teens, check my web page: http://www.oklahomahomeschool.com/careertraining.html

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