Cannabis and workplace responsibility

What will the impact of legalized marijuana be on the workforce and how do we explain it early, so minors fully understand it by the age of 21? Seems states now own this responsibility for legalized Cannabis, among with educating students and the public.

It will certainly impact productivity. How do we weave this in our workforce message and how can we be effective at explaining the massive social impact it will have in the long run? Many questions, few answers. But, with certainty, this must be addressed - let's prevent a crisis.

Marijuana affects every user differently and those effects can depend on:

•The person – their mood, personality, size and weight;
•The amount taken and whether it is mixed with anything else;
•The environment in which the drug is used.

If marijuana is used in the workplace it can affect the health and safety of the person taking it as well as those around them, as well as have an adverse effect on productivity. Marijuana is known to have the following effects (Wadsworth EJ et al, 2006):

•Short-term memory problems
•Impaired thinking
•Loss of balance and coordination
•Decreased concentration
•Changes in sensory perception
•Impaired ability to perform complex tasks
•Decreased alertness
•Decreased reaction time

Career Factors and Assessment of Skills

There are many career and profession guidance websites, counseling services, and online materials.  Lots of surveys, advice, and services. Lots of statistics and recommendations.

It really comes down to a few factors. Know these well and you will have a successful education and career path. There is no right or wrong with these, it comes down to introspection and realism.

We have summarized the most important factors in a simple infographic.

A research study linking career readiness and career awareness in U.S.-based curriculum

A colleague from school, now at the U.S. Department of Education, sent me an interesting action research project from a few years back. The full download is available at this link.

Student Awareness of Careers through a Variety of Strategies.

Benning, C.; Bergt, R.; Sausaman, P.

This report depicts a program for increasing students' career awareness through a variety of strategies that include multiple intelligences, career counseling, field trips and cross-curricular activities. The targeted population consisted of fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students in a Midwest, urban community. Analyses of probable cause data disclosed students are unprepared for the workforce. A review of solution strategies suggested by researchers, combined with an analysis of the problem setting resulted in selection of strategies and materials to be implemented within the school day. The strategies and materials encouraged children to become aware of the variety of careers available to them. A focus on four career clusters and emphasis on several specific occupations occurred throughout the intervention phase. Strategies focusing on multiple intelligences, career counseling, field trips, and cross-curricular activities helped incorporate career awareness education into the curriculum. The objective of increasing career awareness of various occupations was clearly met. Students gained an understanding of how their schoolwork related to life in the future and post intervention data indicated that the career education provided the students with greater activities for achieving self-esteem. Eleven appendixes contain surveys and evaluation guides. (Contains 26 references.) (GCP)

 Employer dissatisfaction with graduating students


 It's not like the data is not available. There are many compelling studies and we especially like the achieve.org fascinating Infographics.

Assuming that about half of employers are satisfied, what should the remaining 50% do to change this course? We have many practical and pragmatic ideas for immediate impact.

For starters, let's define roles, careers, and responsibilities clearly. What does it take to be a successful "profession here"?

Start by early exposure. Tell them the answer. Don't wait until Senior year in High School, start in 5th grade. Have them understand 10 tracks by the time they reach high school.

It's a complex world out there

As it turns out, most high school students feel unprepared for college and careers. To make things worse, graduates face significant economic and competitive headwinds. Check out the Infographic on major job trends in 2015 for recent graduates.

Here is what we know high schools students are doing to get ready for their college and professional future:

• 42 percent used college entrance exam preparation.
• 36 percent used counseling for help on future career possibilities.
• 34 percent used counseling for help on college admissions requirements.
• 32 percent used counseling for help on applying for college.
• 23 percent used counseling for help on paying for college.

At CareerTrail,org we are asking the hard question:

What happened to the other 64% who did not get any counseling on future career possibilities? Did some make the costly mistake of switching college majors -  the $35,000 mistake?

Let's start exposing students to real jobs, careers, and professions much earlier. Let them experiment, see, ask, try, and touch. Our goal - create exposure to 10 career tracks for each student between 5th grade and College (to name a few - science, math, engineering, medical, dental, finance, teaching, programming).

We are here to help make that happen - from the simple 2-hour visit to the local chiropractor, to Girls in Technology Events, to broad seminars, internships, and employment programs.

Send us your ideas. info@careertrail,org