On August 13, 2011 Thomas Friedman of The New York Times wrote a very compelling observation: "Thanks to cloud computing, robotics, 3G wireless connectivity, Skype, Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, Twitter, the iPad, and cheap Internet-enabled smartphones, the world has gone from connected to hyper-connected. This is the single most important trend in the world today and why to get into the middle class now, you have to study harder, work smarter and adapt quicker than ever before."  In its September 10, 2011 edition The Economist noted the implications of being hyper-connected and concluded that "Globalisation and technological innovation are bringing about long-term changes in the world economy that are altering the structure of the labour market."

Due to today's hyper-connected and forever altered labour market many observers like Paul Krugman have written that "it is no longer true that having a college degree guarantees that you’ll get a good job, and it’s becoming less true with each passing decade."  To help undergraduates and graduates respond to today's challenging global marketplace this column will highlight issues as well as potential strategies and resources students can use.  Click on any of the following links to learn more about a specific issue. 

If you would like to contact me or suggest future issues that students face please click here to email me.

Issue #1: Find Meaningful Work

Issue #2: Transferring Skills for Nature Writers

Issue #3: Understanding Employment Trends and Statistics

Issue #4: Adapting to An Ever Changing World

For additional blog posts please click here to read The MEAPA Blog on 21st century professional development.

Thank you,

Michael Edmondson, Ph.D.

Michael Edmondson, Ph.D. is the co-founder of MEAPA a professional development company for the 21st century.   He is the co-author, along with Dr. Peter Abramo, of several publications including The ABCs of Marketing Yourself: A Workbook for College Students and How To Succeed With A Liberal Arts Degree.  He is also the Director of Marketing and Recruiting and Adjunct Faculty for Marketing and Entrepreneurship at The Philadelphia Center, one of the nation's oldest experiential education off-campus programs.