Layoffs and Relocation for SD Jobs

[blahblahblah]

Notice that all of the sectors you mentioned (with the arguable exception of entertainment) are non-tradable across national boundaries, meaning they’re not going to help the US trade deficit one bit. And our entertainment is probably going to lose its lustre overseas over the coming years as India and China develop and produce their own. If we lose our ability to produce REAL products for export (things like aircraft, electronics, and heavy equipment), those high-paid attorneys and financial professionals you mention will eventually be joining their laid-off engineer neighbors in the soup lines. The only hope for the US is to regain our position as a world leader in technology. If I were in charge, I’d start pouring R&D money into alternative sources of energy and new engine technologies. That’s unlikely to happen, though, so in the meantime you might learn Mandarin Chinese and pursue a career as a liason to help Chinese companies get their products to American markets. Or learn Portugese and start a software contracting business in Brazil that can work even cheaper than the Indians. Think internationally.

[powayseller]

I agree with you. My comments about the industries that can prosper was just what the USNews article stated. My own opinion, which I stated this morning to my son’s math teacher, is that math and writing are the most important skills our youth need, because those abilities will help us compete in the new economy. We need to invent new products for export, and that requires a great comfort in math. When I was in college, a loooong time ago, I was one of the only women in the engineering courses. I’m glad that has changed.

I’ve heard too many adults tell me they didn’t choose a certain major because they didn’t like math, or they’d have to take too many math catch-up classes. Kids who don’t take enough math end up eliminating about half the majors available to them in college. They say, “I don’t want to study Chemistry because I’d need Calculus”, or “I can’t study Computer Science because I would need to start with Algebra 1”.

The best favor any of us with kids can do, is to make sure our kids take the toughest math classes they can handle, all the way through high school, and get tutoring if needed. They must also write well, and since teachers have too many students to spend adequate time to edit reports, parents have to fill that void. Kids also need time to free play, make up games, ride bikes, and learn how to fill their time. They need to pursue their own interests, and not just ours. That means less time in structured activities, more time in their own creations. And of course, forget the game boy, game cube, TV, or minimize its involvement to a couple hours per week. (My oldest wasn’t allowed to have a game cube until age 12, so he may not be adept at moving his thumb, but you should hear him play the piano and the sax!). Poway High School does not offer Chinese, but I agree this is a language well worth learning. This is my view of preparing youth, and I so much would like to hear more opinions.

Does anyone reading this have any advice on keeping flexible in today’s job market and preparing our youth for the new economy?

[Bugs]

A few years back the Fox Network’s MadTV used to run a series of visual gags called “Lowered Expectations”. They depicted singles who would normally sit on the bench, but could play as long as they were willing to settle for (much) less in the way of their expectations. As it relates to the singles scene it was pretty funny. I’m guessing the concept as applied to standards of living isn’t going to be so funny for a lot of our kids.

The term “Global Economy” doesn’t mean raising everyone’s standard of living to equal ours’ any more than welfare programs can equalize everyone into the middle class. In order for ‘social justice’ to prevail we will all have to suffer equally.

[barnaby33]

Luckily, girls wouldn’t have anything to do with me in High School. I got into computers instead. When I choose a major Comp Sci was it. The point is its not so important that your kids do well in math or science per se as that they are exposed to it by their parents. Couple that with the expectation that they will not take the easiest major, or the one with the most hot chicks and they are well on their way to making good choices. You can’t force your kids into engineering or technical fields, but if you give them exposure to it early enough and make them take a few steps in that direction it will seem a whole lot less mysterious when they have to make their own choices. I for one never got past algebra 2 in high school and I had to take calc 2 and linear algebra twice in college.

Playing video games neither helps nor hinders your childs exposure to computers and science. Its a non issue. Getting them to build a PC, install an operating system or make a web page or even build a better mouse trap that gives them the sort of knowledge that leads to good choices.

Oh and it doesn’t hurt to talk about such people in a positive light either. Too often engineers and scientists are seen as nerds, even still.

Josh

[hs]

Hi Powayseller,

I have been reading this blog for awhile and think you are a very smart and farsighted lady.

I asked for some advice regarding buying or renting a house awhile ago and you recommended to rent. In the end, my hubby and I took your advice and we are continuing to rent now.
Regarding the Chinese language, I totally agree with you. Mandarin will be one of the most useful languages in the future.
I wonder if your kids are interested in learning Chinese. I am Chinese myself.(came to the US in my 20’s)If they are interested in learning Mandarin, I will be happy to teach them as I am teaching my daughter now.(She is in second grade.) I live in Scripps Ranch. If your kids are interested, you are welcome to keep in touch with me by email at: [email protected]

[powayseller]

I look forward to working with you, and my kids are excited too. Why do you think Mandarin is more useful than the other Chinese dialects? I’m sorry to be so ignorant about this.

[hs]

Yes, there are lots of different dialects in China, such as Cantonese, Fujanese,…, but Mandarin, also called “Pu Tong Hua” is the official language in China. Whatever dialect you speak, you are required to learn Mandarin in school.

I am glad your kids are interested in learning. I am looking forward to meeting them.

[Author]

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