10 of 24

Write now Article Tools

It's important to note that even the caveman commercials created by GEICO depict subjects who are quite literate, charming and persuasive. The car insurance campaign theme is, "It's so easy, even a caveman can do it."

In the 21st century, educators are under pressure, courtesy of President Bush's "No Child Left Behind Act", to excel in their core subjects, to express themselves effectively and efficiently, to graduate high school and to have a fighting chance to attend college.

As an English major and award-winning journalist, it is bothersome to witness many youngsters use "slang" terminology, phrases like "duh", "as if", "whatever", etc. I realize, having a college-age daughter, that it is to use "cliquish" language when you're amongst friends, but it is not how they would communicate in a job interview, giving a dissertation in class or writing a term paper.

That said, the "young set" today is better prepared than their parents ever were to enter the job market and land that "creme de la creme" position for bu-cu bucks. I saw a report on the world-wide web the other day that there are four new entrepreneurs under age 25 who are already commanding salaries in the millions. That is so encouraging because it's telling me that the education system is excelling and, in many cases, parents are encouraging their children to pursue their dreams and to not compromise their goals.

I know of a cousin on my wife's side of the family who, at 25, is earning six figures managing a chain of upscale Japanese restaurants in New York City and the Tri-State area. Her dad, a very successful stockbroker on Wall Street, pushed his lovely daughter to follow his lead. She took a job at a Smith Barney subsidiary on Wall Street. She lasted about one year. She was bored to tears, so she acted upon her passion to finish her culinary degree and study Japanese culture.

This is a gal whose dad put her through four years of college at the University of Rhode Island at a clip of $50,000 per year. In the end, she may have disappointed her dad, but she utilized her polished communication and writing skills to create resumes and cover letters and send them to 50 Japanese restaurants in her select demographic area. She was interviewed by some very established Japanese restauranteurs and she impressed them by displaying a working command of the Japanese language.

Today, she manages six Japanese restaurants owned by the group which hired her. Within two years, her goal is to write a five-year business

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about The importance of effective communication skills?
We want to hear your view. Write now!