Meaningful Employment
I wonder how many of our adults with unique abilities are employed in their areas of passion, as opposed to a job that simply provides a paycheck. A paycheck is not a bad thing by any means. We probably have all had jobs – maybe still do – that simply provide a way to pay our bills. There is nothing wrong with that, but I’m concerned about our adults that get their first job and then stay there, even when they outgrow the responsibilities required to perform in their positions. Often they stay simply because they don’t know their options.
A speaker at a conference I attended stated that often we help adults get jobs and check the box with finality, as if to say, “There. That’s done.” Do we check in often with our adults and employers to make sure the position is a good fit? Do we ask the adults if they are fulfilled there or if there is something else they would like to try? Our dreams often shift and change over our lifetime. Our adults with unique abilities are no different. Are they aware of ALL of their options? It is up to us to ask.
Many parents believe the “professionals” know best. As a teacher, I used to tell our parents, “YOU are the professional when it comes to your child. YOU know your child best.” I can tell parents about how the school works, what services we provide, what opportunities are out there... but eventually they have to know what’s best for their child. I know it’s crazy, but I love parents who disagree with me, who fight for their children. These are the children who grow up to be successful adults. I definitely don’t know everything!
A parent of an adult child confessed to me the other day that she attended a meeting where a professional informed the parents that the only jobs available to their adult children were cart collecting, working in a restaurant, and cleaning. NO!!! This is incorrect information! These jobs are not wrong by any means. They just shouldn’t be a stopping point. Many adults will love these types of jobs and will thrive in them, but others will grow bored and want to move on. I flipped burgers at McDonalds for my first job. The job provided me with many great opportunities: I learned invaluable skills like how to take and follow directions from a boss; the importance of showing up to work every day and on time; the value of going above and beyond the required expectations. I was reviewed every 3 months and given a raise if my work was rated highly enough. It was a wonderful experience, but I also knew I didn’t want to flip burgers for the rest of my life. I had different gifts and skills I wanted to put to use as an employee.
It is no different for our adults. Some of the people I worked with at McDonalds loved it there. A few went to Hamburger University (yes, there is such a place) and learned how to manage McDonalds restaurants. Others, like me, moved on to try other professions. The point is, once our adults are placed in employment, let’s make sure we check in and confirm they are fulfilled there. Let’s share other options and opportunities as warranted. And, let’s not rule out college for our adults. One of my friends tried out community college for her son and was pleasantly surprised to discover he has expertise with computer and accounting skills. If she had written off his desire to attend college, she and her son would never have known he possessed these particular skills.
I can’t stress enough the importance of making sure our adults have meaningful employment. Ask them about their dreams for their lives. If they can’t express what they want or don’t know what their passions and skills are, offer them opportunities of discovery until you see their faces light up with interest and enthusiasm. Teachers and parents, you know what I mean. By providing our adults ways to use their unique skills and abilities, everyone benefits. Our adults grow and bloom into the people they are created to be and the companies blessed enough to employ them benefit from having an adult who is excited to be at work every day, recognizing the value they add to the organization.