2019 Career Connections Conference

The modern workplace is constantly evolving, but the pace of change has never been faster. It is estimated that 80 percent of the jobs of 2030 haven’t even been invented yet! With this rapid change taking place in every sector of the workforce, a set of skills has emerged as the building blocks for the jobs of today and tomorrow. Sometimes called soft skills or foundational behaviors, employers simply call them Work Ethic. Nearly 9 out of 10 hiring managers nationwide say work ethic is their most important factor in hiring. In the classroom, students with high work ethic have significant improvements in performance and graduate college at nearly double the average rate. The challenge is that fewer than 1 in 5 students have these skills, and almost all education is instead focused on academic and technical skills.

While many believe that you can’t teach “common sense”, new research is showing that these workplace skills can be developed at any age. This engaging and interactive presentation highlights simple training and leadership approaches that everyone can use to develop work ethic. While in the past we have hoped to develop these skills through projects and group work, we need to make the learning of them as intentional as the rest of our teaching. By using employer-based research, defining the seven skills of work ethic, and applying innovative teaching methodology, you will discover how to make lasting behavior change. Discover how you can build the foundational skills of work ethic and prepare your students with the skills for the 21st Century!

At this exciting session, education and performance expert Mark C. Perna will present the dynamic ideas that educators around the country can’t stop talking about. Find out how you can put these powerful tools to work in your organization. Your perspective on the younger generations will be transformed by seeing the incredible passion, purpose, and performance they are capable of. By challenging our preconceptions, Mark will reveal new opportunities to get more of the right students, in the right programs, for the right reasons — right now. This value-packed session will empower and equip you with the insights to change course, set new goals, and experience real results. Take the first step toward becoming an enrollment, retention, and performance powerhouse with the knowledge to make a bigger difference!