Problem Solving Skill Enhances Employment Desirability
In the contemporary social and work environments, "change" is the plan-of-the-day. Having the skill to identify problems or areas for improvement for effectiveness, efficiency, and/or profitability is invaluable. Students who have honed a critical thinking-problem solving skill will find their employment opportunities expanded. No longer will degree completion or a 2-year competency certificate suffice. Thinkers, planners, creaters, evaluaters, and progressives will rule the day.
James,
The majority of positions today seem to require problem solving at various levels. Your point is a good one that students need to learn how to expand their abilities in critical thinking so they can be sought after problem solvers.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
In our meetings with employers the often cited complaint is that graduates have no critical thinking skills. It has always been a classroom skill goal/objective to incorporate that into my curriculum. Despite the constant student battle cry of "just tell me what I need to know for the test".....I have remained firm and consistent in this area.
Amy,
Remain firm on this as you are doing a great service for your students, even if they don't realize or appreciate it. Our system is set up for performance (test scores) in a numerical way that translates into a letter grade. A letter grade in a course really doesn't say anything about the competencies that a student has acquired. Helping them to be reflective and critical thinkers moves them to another level of expertise and competence. I commend you for your effort.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree with you that anyone who completes a higher learning course or degree will be better served, and a better employee, if they are problem solvers. However, there will always be a need for employees at all levels. A well-rounded business needs all types of employees. Problem solvers can think things through but are not always good at executing, etc. Hence, we will always need degrees and education to meet the needs of the individual.
Steven,
You are right about the need for well prepared and dedicated workers at all levels. Degrees add value but common sense and personal effort goes a long way in moving a person forward in their career if they can problem solve. This is why we need to help them in this area as much as we can.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree, most of the conversation at our advisory committee meetings centers around new hires who lack problem solving and critical thinking skills. In our industry there is little that is black and white due to constantly changing environmental conditions. A workman must be able to adapt as things change, and find the best way to proceed knowing that what ever actions they take will affect those who come after to finish the job. However most of our students just want to know the answer, what should I do now. Problem is there is no set answer. Getting them to see this is the first big step to teaching them critical thinking skills. Some adapt quickly others fight you all the way.
Donald,
This is such an important point for students to understand. One of the most often used phrases around here is "Think, think, think.". Still a hard concept for the students to grasp because they want black and white concrete answers. Most of the work that we do is problem solving which involves thinking about and coming up with solutions. The career maker for students is going to be those that can problem solve and think critically. Those that can't are going to find themselves boxed in in their careers since they are not able to come up with solutions that are demanded in their workplaces.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It does not matter weather you have a job or not. Just being human, you will need to know and understand problems.
