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John Carter is a douchebag. #PDX #Oregon
Oct. 4th, 2013 06:54 amThe Oregonian quotes Portland business leader John Carter:
Here's a tip for Mister Carter: those traditional career paths are practical if and only if the possibility of sticking with an employer for the long term is realistic. After two generations of union busting and globalization, most employees can expect to get laid off after a few years. The logical thing for them to do is develop a freelancer's mentality: keep your skill set fresh, your Rolodex current, and your resume up to date. By the way, part and parcel of this mentality is that you must switch employers every two to four years, or face the death of your career.
As for those recent college grads: they're up against seasoned professionals even for entry level jobs, and these days even most entry level jobs require two years of experience. The ones camping in front of City Hall are the ones who are trying to highlight the nonsense. The baristas are taking any work they can find.
That's the reality, John. And if you're not aware of this reality, then you're in an unenviable position for a business leader: woefully uninformed. If the rest of the business leaders out there are nodding their heads, then that explains why Portland's economy has been lagging the rest of the nation for fifteen years, doesn't it?
College grads are working as baristas or camping outside City Hall, he said. Carter said many aren't interested in the traditional career paths that would require sticking with companies long-term.
Here's a tip for Mister Carter: those traditional career paths are practical if and only if the possibility of sticking with an employer for the long term is realistic. After two generations of union busting and globalization, most employees can expect to get laid off after a few years. The logical thing for them to do is develop a freelancer's mentality: keep your skill set fresh, your Rolodex current, and your resume up to date. By the way, part and parcel of this mentality is that you must switch employers every two to four years, or face the death of your career.
As for those recent college grads: they're up against seasoned professionals even for entry level jobs, and these days even most entry level jobs require two years of experience. The ones camping in front of City Hall are the ones who are trying to highlight the nonsense. The baristas are taking any work they can find.
That's the reality, John. And if you're not aware of this reality, then you're in an unenviable position for a business leader: woefully uninformed. If the rest of the business leaders out there are nodding their heads, then that explains why Portland's economy has been lagging the rest of the nation for fifteen years, doesn't it?
