How often have we engaged in the discussion about young people and how different it is (now) compared to when we were in school or just finishing up? Well, it seems to be a popular topic these days, what with the mass exodus to the Wild West in search for gold or what not. Seems when I was graduating from high school, many did the the same thing. Mostly boys. And even after university, equipped with their, then valuable, business and arts degrees the land of plenty called to the pockets of many of my peers.

So what is so different now? Or is it? The lure is much more polished then it was 25 years ago, that’s for sure. Blatant recruitment campaigns directed at young people who are ‘looking for purpose’. Shiny, expensive glossy newspaper inserts featuring the majestic Rocky Mountains, the glorified oil fields, big city, bright lights…the whole shebang. Dozens by the dozens of our young (and not so young) jumping on the blue-collared gravy train to the land of surplus.

What exactly are these people leaving behind? Well, in some cases, their families, in other cases…not much. If they’re lucky, a chance to work on the production line(s) at Cavendish Farms or McCains, or perhaps a stint at a call centre (there are obviously many more examples of where a recent graduate could work). The not-so-lucky will wallow and wonder at why the hell they wasted $15,000+ on a ‘degree/diploma/certificate in nothingness’.

It used to be that a post-secondary education meant something (well at least a job at a bank), but now a degree seems so mainstream and unimpressive. Keeping in mind, however, that the experience of University is a good thing and that for some it is needed in order to pursue particular professions (doctors, teachers, lawyers etc). Also that universities have been forced to be more competitive for the post-secondary dollar. The bent toward skills and the trades seems to be taking hold, or at the very least, recognized as needed. So the race is on between UPEI, Holland College, Compu College, The Academy of Learning, Career Skills and alike – focusing more on the promise of a ‘real job’ and less on the humanities.

Well, it could be all for naught. If all we are doing is fulfilling supply and demand with recently graduated factory-produced, cookie-cutter job hunters without regard to building communities from the bottom up, then I believe we are sorrily missing the boat. Watch this video and you’ll see what I mean:

Imagine if young people were encouraged to stay on PEI because they knew they were needed. Contributing to one’s community, is not just about profits and job creation but about giving those who seek it, a sense of real purpose.

“What are you talking about Cyn…It’s all about profits and job creation. Don’t be so idealistic.”

Okay…let me rephrase the above paragraph:

Imagine if young people were encouraged to stay on PEI because they knew they were needed. Contributing to one’s community IS about profits and job creation AND about giving those who seek it, a sense of real purpose.

“What about all of those people who volunteer to better their communities in ways that have nothing to do with profits and jobs?”

I revert back to the idea of recently graduated factory-produced, cookie-cutter job hunters. Who would you hire? The cloned kid or the kid in the video? I suppose that would depend on what result you wanted and how much time you wanted to spend on bringing someone along. Both kids would need some mentoring, and both would have unique skills to offer.

Who would you trust on the front line? I guess that would depend on your companies policies on customer service. Are you into developing relationships with your customers? Are you interested in bettering your community?

Over the past few weeks I have met some great people. People who have been very successful in business on PEI and beyond. I find it interesting that these business people talk way more about the relationships they have developed then they do about the product(s) they sell. It’s obvious that the real passion lies in the community-building. The profits are needed and deserved but I think it’s safe to say that you can’t have one without the other. That all we really seek is a greater sense of purpose and belonging.

Staying connected to one’s community is key.

Growing our children to be helpful, giving, community-minded individuals is a must if we are to expect something better than what we have now. The jig is up, so to speak…we need to recognize where we are and take responsibilty for our mistakes. At the same time to be careful not to throw the baby out with the bath water.