A major article has appeared on the internet that some employers have become reluctant to hire recent college graduates. Not long ago a B.A. college degree was a near guarantee that the student released by graduation from formal education would be given a choice of jobs, even gaining a cash advance for signing with this or that employer. Some of the confidence came from a belief that the graduate had a clear concept of what was acceptable in social relationships, even as those relationships might be professional more than personal. Massive financial rewards went to persons in some fields, but the workers in many general and somewhat specialized fields also provided some incentives that were attractive and unknown until recent decades. Currently there is some backing off, or a more careful analysis is being made. This is caused by several concerns related to the sensitivity of the economy, the changing demands of business, the regulations by governmental agencies, and the like. But the concerns also relate to the graduate. The concerns relate to attitudes, to commitment, to limited grasp of skills needed, to grooming and personal presentation, and a general context of lifestyle that lacks professional value and reduces effectiveness.
Colleges offer what students will buy, and many students are not buying rigor, hard work in meaningful directions, or limitations upon their styles, or values that must attend human performances with other human beings, and commitment to purposes with goals to completion. Many students do not seem to know that graduation is to a life-long learning process that improves us – perhaps on each day of our lives, whether public or private life. Many graduates do not seem to have been educated to the level needed for even limited success they may be looking for. The current style is too grungy and casual for the silent or quiet demands of successful performance in much of professional life. Some recruiters are astounded at the conduct of applicants seeking jobs and appointments. One job seeker reported for interview bringing a baby in a bassinet, promptly parked on the desk of the officer interviewing the applicant. Attention to the infant took some of the time for the interview. The situation seemed bizarre, and no apology was made, nor permission requested to alter an interview protocol. Needless to say the applicant was treated with short shrift and no consideration after departure – except for ridicule. In a TV Series (Undercover Boss) there appeared some striking problems with employees. One source reported: Workers let it rip swearing with abandon, almost as if cursing was a part of the job. Some showed extraordinary comfort in using their sex appeal to make a sale. The undercover boss called in the manager to decide on the spot what to do about the future of a female employee with the company. Another source reported: More than 50 percent of workers admit to swearing at work, even though it does their careers no good. One survey has found that 57 percent of employers are less likely to promote an employee who swears on the job. Other oddities are now reviewed among those with authority to include persons in their community of employees. In the course of their education, whether informal (parenting/experience), or formal (schooling) there is a massive omission of such matters as the usage of language for life effectiveness and influence, perhaps sustenance.
The problem includes some Christian students for ministries relative to values generally, and, in this context, a bit of attention to the matter of usage of language, even when the language may not be as gross as that implied in the paragraph above. The representatives of Christ and the church ought to give attention to professional context in which faith purposes are best received. I followed a church which had a successful history, now pastored by a person who in a service sat sprawled on the floor in front of the pulpit saying that he just wanted to chat. His feet were pushed forward drawing more attention than his face. When we met with him in his office, he was barefoot. There is more, not so bizarre, but sufficiently casual as to challenge respect. The congregation declined precipitously over the months I followed the course of the leadership. A very practical speech, one of the greatest of all time, is entitled, The Sermon on the Mount. It ought to be read by every person, pagan or Christian, even for practical cultural education. A sample of some verses appears above – but there is much more. There are numerous themes to be addressed. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020