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Turning blind corners

Preparing yourself for the unknown
So what can an ambitious young person do now to ensure the best possible outcomes for their future? The truth is that detailed planning of your future is futile. The world is changing so rapidly that the vast majority of the youth today will end
up in careers and living lives they could never envisage today. Go on, ask any adult if they are living the life exactly as they expected when they were young! Better still, go on to youtube and put in "shift happens". You will find a fascinating look at how fast the world is changing.
When I ask students and parents what careers they are planning for, I always get the same answer: "Doctor, Lawyer, Accountant or Engineer", as if there are only four jobs in the world. Now, don't get me wrong, these professions are all noble career directions and I would never dissuade someone with real ability and desire
to pursue such careers. But, how many kids ever say they want to be "A Project Manager for Advanced Micro Devices" or "an Events Coordinator for Amgen" or "Head of Commercial, Non-Air products for Emirates Airlines"? The truth is, that is the sorts of jobs most ambitious young people end up in. The only thing is that you have never heard of them yet. Or, just as likely, you will end up having careers in industries that don't even exist yet. Do you think Eric Schmidt (Chairman of Google) planned to work at a search engine company when he was at school? We did not have the internet back then!
Do you think Iqbal Qadir (founder of Grameen phone) planned to run a mobile phone company when he was a student? How could he? Mobile phones did not even exist! So what industries will there be in the future? I have no idea - nor does anyone else. However, that does not mean that you can't start preparing yourself now.
The fact is that most students don't find a career - a career finds them. Never underestimate how much the world needs ambitious, well presented, talented - and above all -reliable young people. The world is shockingly full of let-down artists and
lazy people. In my whole career as both a Senior Vice President of a Global bank and now Principal of a College, it never ceases to amaze me how few people have the real character it takes for very successful careers. Oh sure, I come across all sorts of students who can do well in tests or can be superficially polite but companies around the world are looking for that right combination of talents - and they are rare.
What it takes
First and foremost, companies like to see academic achievement. In economics, we refer to academic
success as a "signal". A signal is something that cannot be faked. Therefore, consistently good grades or a good degree is a signal to employers that you can solve complex problems, work under pressure, focus of difficult subjects, deliver on time and express yourself in an intelligent, persuasive manner. But if we drill a little further we find that big employers want more than just "swallowers" (those who can just memorize and regurgitate information).
What is required is those who can think creatively. Employers look for candidates with confidence, curiosity and a willingness to challenge the consensus (respectfully, of course!). They also want people who can collaborate well with others and be motivational. The ability to speak well in public and operate confidently in unfamiliar circumstances is also highly valued.
Above all, be polite and reliable! While we cannot predict what the future holds we do know one thing. The future will have an insatiable appetite for those with curiosity and confidence who can express themselves well, are well presented, polite - and do what they say they are going to do when they say they are going to do it! You may or may not have the natural ability to get A*s in, say physics and/or economics. But are you unfailingly polite, well presented, confident ambitious, creative and reliable? If so, the future may be uncertain - but it sure is as bright as the sun.
William Westdale is the Principal of Regent College, Dhaka. Prior to his career in education, William worked for 20 years in London as Senior Vice President at HSBC.
Words: William Westgate
ILLUSTRATION: CATNINJA