Students Leaving The Area After Graduation? It's More Than "There Aren't Any Jobs"

Working with schools for the past 8 years has allowed me to hear individuals lament the fact that children are leaving their hometowns and travelling to other parts of the country in order to find work. Of course, recent graduates could be engineers, and don't want to move to the part of the country where they'd gone to school. Others could be liberal arts majors who are still trying to find what their ultimate calling in life is.

However, teaching presents an interesting exemplar. I've come to this realization after being offered a position at a school in the Southern part of the country several years ago, and after my daughter has been applying to schools throughout our hometown area in Southwestern Pennsylvania, and finally landing a teaching job...in North Carolina.

It's not that other schools around here were not interested. Some school districts do their first round of hirings in May, then, if those that are offered positions do not accept, round two happens in June. There could be another round in July and even one in August as those that are in current positions may accept a position at another school district.

But schools in the Northeast start school at the end of August; schools in New York start after Labor Day. Conversely, schools in the South start during the first week of August, with teacher days beginning in some schools at the end of July. New York doesn't get out of school until the 3rd of 4th week of June.

Some schools in Southwestern Pennsylvania won't start looking at resumes until mid-July; some schools in Northwestern Pennsylvania are closed in July, and reopen in August to take care of registrations and the like. So the next time we wonder why our kids are leaving the area after they graduate, perhaps it's because they've had to accept a position away from home long before similar industries in their hometown areas were ready to begin their process.

A simple "shift" in thinking might help to reverse the situation, and keep students closer to home to build their local economies, rather than moving away as the rest of us watch the population decline.

Technology Needs to be Simple - Part 2

Has anyone purchased an HP printer lately?

Let's see a show of hands - how many think they're the worst excuse for a piece of technology today?

Hmmm - quite a few.

After an hour and 48 minutes, my new wireless printer is still going through the installation disk. "This may take a few minutes." Yeah - right. Last time I checked, 108+ was a heck of a lot more than a "few."

Oh, and we're installing HP software too! And you're not giving me a choice as to whether I want it or not. And what's up with the Y9Y9 file that seems to be a part of your program set up - at least it is according to the tech experts I've spoken with.

Step three of four has been in place now for the past 20 minutes. I've given up on the wireless installation since I'm not permitted to change firewall settings on my business computer since the business owns it. Isn't it ironic - wireless technology "can make you more productive" - except when you're not permitted to install wireless technology (or use a type of technology) because of the potential threats that exist in cyberspace. If I'm not permitted, then's there not really a whole lot I can do about productivity - or, I have to look for other ways to be more productive.

If I didn't need a scanner, I wouldn't buy a printer ever again. We can do everything on computer today and store files electronically - and soon, we'll all be able to do it on our little handhelds.

Maybe someone out there can make a light "wand" type device - and don't say it's out there already in the form of Neat Receipts. Their install is fast, but it takes 30 minutes to scan one document. Surely somebody out there realizes that technology today is all about speed and accuracy, and can invent something that is both speedy and accurate. Then again, if someone did that, they'd corner the market, driving the other competitors out of business, then the government would come along and say they have to break into two companies so that there's competition in the marketplace.

Maybe we should get Toyota engineers to make computers. They seem to have no trouble getting extra speed from cars...

Technology Needs to be Simple

Upon returning home from a week on the road, I had TONS of paperwork to do - and, of course, my wireless router decided to quit working. After spending 7 hours trying to fix it, I've resolved to go buy a new one. I will never buy a D-Link product again because it was a pain to install it the first time, let alone this second go round, and, if you want to ask someone a question from the company after your warranty period, it will cost you $34...with no guarantee that the reply will correct your concern. Of course, the final realization was that "It's five years old - time for a new one." Although it makes me feel kind of powerless, since I have Master's degree in Technologies-enhanced learning, and have to know how to do all this stuff. If I can't do it, I'm amazed that others aren't having any difficulties setting up wireless networks in their homes.

Therfore, after reading many reviews, I'm not buying a Linksys either. I've read that NetGear wireless routers connect easily. Comments would be welcomed.

Work From Home? GREAT Idea...as Long as the Technology Works.

Work from home...

Save money...

Great option for businesses...

ABSOLUTELY!

Distance learning...

Cyberschools...

Online classes...

FANTASTIC!

...just as long as the technology works FLAWLESSLY!

If it doesn't, you need a tech wizard at a helpdesk to make sure downtime is minimal. If you've got someone that needs to check with someone else, then figure out what's going on, then create a workaround, and maybe there's a software upgrade that has to occur, or the system is getting hacked by idiots that don't have anything better to do....you're (since my "Lewis Blackian" urge to scream an obscenity is kicking in here, I'll move on).

My wife has just spent an hour responding via email to extremely important issues that would require days to get everyone around a table for a face-to-face meeting to discuss...and no one's received the emails. They're not in her sent file, they're not in her outbox, but they are in her drafts file - but only the original emails that she's responded to...her responses are nowhere to be found on the document.

Anyone want to tackle this one, because her helpdesk can't help...making it just another "desk" at this point.

What Are We Doing Wrong?

This is why this blog is called, "Supwiddat?" since that's what I say (as do others) when they read what's here.

Banks get bailed out by the U.S. Government (read, US!), automakers get bailed out by the U.S. Government, and STILL - employees in the financial industry are slated to get bonuses totalling billions of dollars.

Here's an idea - if you work for a bailed-out institution, and are slated to get a bonus of, as some reports say, in the millions of dollars, some (if not all) of that bonus has to go to Ohio and Michigan. Or, perhaps, back to the federal government. Either way, "US" gets it to help reduce the debt you got us into in the first place.

Then, NBC admits moving Jay Leno to prime time was a mistake, and moves him back to 11:35 PM - for a HALF hour. Something tells me he's not going to receive half his salary for working 50% less.

I must say, though, that I really don't have a problem with Mark McGwire using steroids. My son and daughter use steroids. They have asthma - and if they didn't use steriod medication, they wouldn't be alive today.

There's a difference between use...and abuse.

I Will Never Buy a Chrysler Product Again

After having a 3 Chrysler vans (a Plymouth Voyager, a Plymouth Grand Voyager, and a Chrysler Town and Country) and a Jeep, I will never buy another Chrysler product. I received word that Chrysler was extending the warranty to cover an air conditioning repair that proved problematic - AFTER we had it fixed at our own expense.

But, that's OK - mail the proof that the service was done, and we'll refund you the money. So, I send the receipt from the service center that did the repair. I get a call from Chrysler today saying that they need proof I paid the bill...so I have to send them THREE credit card statements - one that shows that the charge was applied, and the next two to show that the entire bill was paid.

I'm glad I pay my credit cards off every month (or, at least every other month), or there's a chance that I wouldn't receive reimbursement.

The entire American auto industry needs to take a lesson from Honda, Nissan and Toyota. An American showed them how to streamline their processes and build world-class cars. 30 years later, we need to be retrained.

After Watching the First Half Hour of MTV's Music Video Awards -

...I shut it off. Kanye West has outdone Senator Joe Wilson for the "Most Inappropriate Comment at the Most Inappropriate Time" Award of 2009.

If tonight's show is to honor Michael Jackson's vision of love, then it's time America showed Kanye West to fame's exit door.

Cash For Clunkers Program Clunks?

I just saw a news headline regarding the impact of the US Government's "CARS" program, affectionately known as "Cash For Clunkers."

Ford posted a 17% increase in sales, while GM and Chrysler posted double-digit losses.

Doesn't it seem logical that a company that refused a government bailout, gave away stock in its company as an incentive to the public to buy their cars, and has logically consolidated its distribution chain on its own has posted an increase in sales?

GM still puzzles me. It made sense for 6 automotive companies to come together to form GM if they could share platforms, parts, and service knowledge. However, once GM decided to do away with several nameplates to cut costs and delineate their product lines, it would seem no longer necessary for GM to exist as the parent company to the distinct vehicle lines. Rather than having four nameplates under one company, just split into four individual companies. Such a strategy would also eliminate the need for a whole slew of executives with executive salaries.

But that doesn't mean that GM would disappear. AT&T had to do it, and then has kept reinventing itself. Perhaps it could be the service arm, while the design and manufacture of vehicles could be the responsibility of the suriving nameplates.

Maybe that's what's going to happen...after all, I mentioned something about GM needing to be brought down after they made Saturn just another division of GM, and I also mentioned something about GM selling cars on ebay just nine days before they made the announcement that they were going to pursue that.

Wealth Management

Seems to be oxymoronic, doesn't it? If you have wealth, then why would it need to be managed? Perhaps it's because wealth does indeed need to be managed, since, if you have it, you believe that you can do anything, and then are shocked when you find out that monetary wealth can't buy things like peace...righteousness...or correct decisions.

Through this time of economic turmoil, I've learned three things about wealth management:
1) Even if you try to manage your wealth, you have to make the decision that you will not live beyond your means.
2) The stock market works for wealth accumulation as long as you keep your money there and don't move it or pull it out, and everyone else does the same.
3) There's no replacement for hard work...there are only blessings. Get rich quick schemes make somebody else rich.

I Need to Stop Sharing Ideas...

...because they become reality. On July 1, I wrote to NPR to comment on a news story that stated car sales were down again for the month of June. The reporter sounded saddened that the month ended with a loss again, as experts were hoping for signs of a turnaround as they had seen in the housing industry.

I wrote and commented that this was NOT a news item, simply because it was not news. Car manufacturers do not sell cars to people - they sell them to dealers. When Chrysler and GM tell dealers that they will no longer be dealers, THEY'RE not going to buy cars from them. And, if you drive along various rows of dealers that are continuing to be associated dealers, you'll see their parking lots are filled with cars already, so THEY'RE not going to buy a whole lot of cars either.

I suggested that if manufacturers would come up with some kind of new distribution channel, like selling cars on ebay, then that would be news.

July 9, 8 days later, GM emerges from bankruptcy, and announces that part of their restructuring plan includes selling cars on ebay.

Wish I could pick lottery numbers like that...

H1N1 NE1?

If I hear another news story about the H1N1influenza (since we can"t call it Swine Flu anymore), I shall no longer listen/watch news stories from that outlet. I just came from Mass where the woman standing next to me would not shake my hand at the sign of peace for fear of the H1N1. Folks, 36,000 people died in this country this past winter from the strain that hit us during "flu season," but we don't hear anything about that. However, let 100 people contract a virus in Mexico, and it's a pandemic. Speaking of pandemics, how's that eradication of HIV going? And I wonder if anyone is doing anything about the smallpox vaccine I got when I was a kid. It's apparently worn off too.

I Have To Be Careful About What I Write About

It's very scary. I read that the Spring Hill, Tennessee plant that produced Saturn's "Different Kind of Car" was shut down several years ago, and retooled to make the Chevrolet Traverse. It was at that time I heard the whisperings that GM was considering launching Saturn, just like the rocket it was named after, since it was no different than any other GM brand anymore. I remember saying that I hope GM got what was coming to them since they took a great idea that had respected their customers and created customer enthusiasm and ground it into the ground like a cigarette butt because it was unprofitable. Greedy executives....

And look what happened...

So after reading that American Express has been downgraded, if anything happens to them, that would leave the new "Big 3" to be MasterCard, Visa and Discover.

In this era of credit crunches, I wonder what would happen if those companies would disappear...being forced by the government to give consumers a break from unscrupulous interest rate hikes could make it impossible for them to stay in business.

I'm old enough to remember the days before MasterCard, Visa and such. Department Stores had their own charge cards (not credit cards) to be used in place of cash, rather than instead of cash. You had to save for a downpayment on your house. The stock market was a place where the rich invested their fortunes.

The Walmart Credit Card is already here, issued by GE Money Bank. Something tells me it'll soon be issued by Walmart Bank.

The Problem With the Economy...

...is the same problem that private and faith-based schools have when it comes to trying to keep them afloat...



It's all one big system.



Indeed, it IS the system that needs to be fixed. But we don't know how to do that. We like to work linearly. We need step-by-step instructions. When embarking on new projects, we like to take them one step at a time so as to not cause a lot of feather-ruffling, and then, when things settle, take the next step.



But today, everything is interconnected. Some local news programs have done outstanding features on how a laid-off worker on one side of the country affects another worker on the opposite coast. In simplistic terms, it's like the fairy tale which deals with the old woman and the pig. As the woman was taking her pig home, it came to a fence, and the pig wouldn't jump over it. So, she had to ask a stick to beat it, but it wouldn't...so she asked fire to burn the stick to beat the pig...but it wouldn't...so she asked water to quench the fire...but...well, you get the idea. It finally comes down to giving a mouse a small piece of cheese that starts the whole chain reaction in motion.



But we don't have a word for that type of thought process. Some call it "Systems Thinking," while it exists in a more formalized version called "Chaos Theory." Such actions were played out in the movie, "The Butterfly Effect." Chaos Theory, however, seems to put a negative spin on the concept. So, realizing we need some positive news out there, perhaps we should call it, "Systemicity," and the study of it "Systemicism." Don't bother looking up those words....they're not in the dictionary. Therefore, I claim them (Systemicity (TM) and Systemicism (TM)).



It's been said that once we can "name" something, we then know what it is, and can communicate the idea to others - which is the first step to solving the problem.



But for those who still think that "Linear Thinking" and the Scientific Process will pull us out of recession, stagflation, depression, or whatever word you'd like to call it, I'll point to the Stock Market as a problematic point of focus.



President Obama signed the nearly one trillion dollar economic stimulus package. Someone should have told someone on Wall Street that he did it, because it didn't stimulate anything - the stock market dropped almost 300 points.



Let's look at 3 things that are "wrong" with the Stock Market right now.



1) How many companies were publicly-owned in the 1940's? the 1950's? the 1960's? I'm sure you'll see that the number has increased exponentially. While more business is good in terms of growth, more places to invest takes away from others. Someone can do some research here to see how many privately-owned companies there are that don't do business on the stock market. How are they doing today? It's been said that most of our economic growth have come from small businesses. While these companies are not publicly traded, they're the first to feel the pinch (or sledgehammer) that comes from stockmarket volatility.



2) In the past, how many people had access and the knowledge to know what to do in the Stock Market? These people used to work for others as stewards of funds that were entrusted to them..NOT for themselves with Internet trading accounts, where people get in to make a quick buck, then get out. When I was a little kid, only the "rich" owned stocks since they had funds to invest; the working folk SAVED their pennies so that they could afford the things that they really wanted. Kids worked lemonade stands, did yard jobs, shoveled driveways, delivered newspapers to instill the work ethic into them. Now, we just open an account on line, buy some stocks, see what they do, take the money out, find others companies, put money in - it's like the new bank...which is why people have lost trust in banks...because some think they don't need them anymore when they're playing in the Stock Market. You want people to save? Stop online trading. Let the brokerages do what investors are trained to do, and let's focus on long term investing (since short-term investing is an oxymoron). The manfestation of the problem - the stock market now reacts to the daily news - rather than investment strategies.



3) In the past, bad economic news used to be good news for the Stock Market. Layoffs meant that companies were being prudent and watched their bottom line in response to stockholder's wishes for higher company earnings. Good economic news, such as a drop in the unemployment rate, meant stocks declined, because companies were growing, and some of the funds had to be used for improvements rather than distributed as earnings.



That's all out the window now.



The old system provided some checks and balances. Now, bad news means lower stock prices, which is more bad news which means lower stock prices, which means more bad news....you get the idea. It's a vortex that will keep sucking the life out of the economy.



So, something had to be done to shock the system. But we don't know what the results will be.



Here are some considerations for simultaneous stimuli - because it's systemic -



1) Create a new status for hospitals and schools not run by religious organizations. Maybe a "half-tax."

2) Ban on-line stock trading by the general public

3) Allow a generous tax credit (not just a deduction) for charitable giving



One last item - and this would be bold, because it would test the strength of our justice system, but it would adhere to the principals our nation was founded on. Everyone has to be part of a religion that gives praise to God. Our nation was founded on the principle of freedom of religion - that we could worship God however we saw fit. Now, we dance around the definition of God, what should be worshipped, and how political party ideology doesn't necessarily mean personal commitment (as in, "Well, personally I believe that that's wrong, but I shouldn't let my personal convictions interfere with representing my consituencies.).

We need representation that will "Do the right thing" and take personal responsibility for their actions, rather than shirking it. The blame game put us into the mess we're in. It's time to stop it.

Random Thoughts for January's Posting

Ford giving shares of stock as incentive

It's the Party - Not the Person - That's the Problem

Evan Almighty is one of the best movies ever.

Parking needs to be: safe, abundant, convenient, inexpensive

Your job: "What's Your Passion;" not "What's it Pay"

There's NEVER a good time; NOW is the acceptable time.