Somehow I was asked to join the local (Calcasieu Parish School, Louisiana, USA) School to Work Committee.

After 4 hours of listening to all the various reports and topics my head was about to explode. Then, the moderator went around the room asking all the different members and attendees (mostly educators) for any comments.

My comments sounded a lot like yours. I reminded them that the name of the committee was School to Work, not School to Job! That seem to get a few of them thinking. Their primary focus as educators is elementary education, secondary education, then college or trade school, then job.

I pointed out that many people would be like square pegs trying to fit round holes if they were forced to take a job. (Gee, I wish I had discovered self-employment sooner myself.)

I've also made that point when speaking at the local Chamber of Commerce and in speaking to high school students in "Future Business Leaders of America".

I hope I opened a few minds during my talks.

I knew I wasn't along in my thinking about the educational environment. Just didn't know it was the same down under.

Dennis Bevers