Family Home Evening---Why is School Work Important?

EDUCATION GIVES YOU CHOICES
You will probably work for at least 40 years, so you want job(s) that are challenging and meaningful.

statistics from WolframAlpha:
2010 US population: 309 million
US adult males/females (ages 18–64): 95 million/96 million
US adult civilian labor force: 156 million
people who work comprise $\frac{156}{95+96} \approx 82\%$ of the adult work-age population

FORMAL EDUCATION IS STATISTICALLY A GOOD THING FOR YOU TO HAVE

Bureau of Labor Statistics [removed broken link]	median weekly earnings in 2011	unemployment rate in 2011
less than high school diploma	\$451	14.1%
high school diploma	\$638	9.4%
some college, no degree	\$719	8.7%
bachelor's degree	\$1053	4.9%
professional degree (emphasizes skills and practical application over theory and research: e.g., vets and dentists)	\$1665	2.4%

EDUCATION TEACHES YOU HOW TO LEARN and HELPS YOU DEVELOP GOOD WORKING SKILLS
You need to learn in any profession you choose.

SKILLS MOST DESIRED BY EMPLOYERS

reference: http://www.quintcareers.com/job_skills_values.html

	SELF-RATING (check one)
SKILL SET	poor	average	very good	excellent
Communications Skills: listen, write, and speak effectively
Analytical/Research Skills: assess a situation, seek multiple perspectives, gather more information if necessary, identify key issues to be addressed
Computer/Technical Literacy: basic understanding of computer hardware and software, especially word processing, spreadsheets, and email
Flexibility/Adaptability/Managing Multiple Priorities: manage multiple assignments and tasks, set priorities, adapt to changing conditions and work assignments
Interpersonal Abilities: relate to co-workers, inspire others to participate, mitigate conflict with co-workers
Leadership/Management Skills: take charge and manage co-workers
Multicultural Sensitivity/Awareness: demonstrate a sensitivity and awareness to other people and cultures
Planning/Organizing: design, plan, organize, and implement projects and tasks within an allotted timeframe; also involves goal-setting
Problem-Solving/Reasoning/Creativity: find solutions to problems using creativity, reasoning, and past experiences along with available information and resources
Teamwork: work with others in a professional manner while attempting to achieve a common goal

PERSONAL VALUES EMPLOYERS SEEK IN EMPLOYEES

reference: http://www.quintcareers.com/job_skills_values.html

	SELF-RATING (check one)
PERSONAL VALUE	poor	average	very good	excellent
Honesty/Integrity/Morality: employers probably respect personal integrity more than any other value, especially in light of contemporary corporate scandals
Adaptability/Flexibility: be open to new ideas and concepts; work independently or as part of a team; carry out multiple tasks or projects
Dedication/Hard-Working/Work Ethic/Tenacity: love what you do; keep working until a job is done
Dependability/Reliability/Responsibility: arrive to work every day on time and ready to work; take responsibility for your own actions
Loyalty: have a strong devotion to your employer's company
Positive Attitude/Motivation/Energy/Passion: have drive and passion; demonstrate this enthusiasm through words and actions
Professionalism: act in a responsible and fair manner in all personal and work activities; avoid being petty
Self-Confidence: be confident in yourself and what you can offer employers
Self-Motivated/Ability to Work With Little or No Supervision: work independently, with minimal supervision
Willingness to Learn: be willing to learn new skills and techniques; jobs are constantly changing and evolving—show an openness to grow and learn with that change

TEN SKILLS EVERY CHILD SHOULD LEARN

reference: eschoolnews.com

	SELF-RATING (check one)
SKILL	poor	average	very good	excellent
READ
TYPE
WRITE
COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY, AND WITH RESPECT
QUESTION
BE RESOURCEFUL
BE ACCOUNTABLE
KNOW HOW TO LEARN
THINK CRITICALLY
BE HAPPY

DISCUSSION:

Do you believe formal education can help you develop these characteristics? If so, how? If not, why not?
Where else can you develop these characteristics?

LEARNING IS OFTEN EASIER WHEN YOU ARE YOUNG

quotes from wiseGeek:

Gray matter ... is a type of neural tissue which is found in the brain and spinal cord. It is named after its distinctive brownish-gray color ... Many people associate gray matter with intelligence and intellect, because it is a major component in the brain ...

Research on the brain has shown that people have differing amounts of gray matter. The more dense the gray matter in a particular region of the brain, the more intelligence or skill the brain's owner is likely to have. People with unusually high levels of intelligence or unique skills tend to have notably high levels of gray matter in the parts of their brains which correlate to their ability.

WISDOM REQUIRES KNOWLEDGE

Wisdom: the combination of knowledge and experience;
an understanding of what is true, together with the use of this understanding in the best possible way

Wisdom increases throughout our entire lives!

reference: Elder Russel M. Nelson

Leaders of this Church have repeatedly emphasized the importance of education. It is a vital component of wisdom.
“Seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.” (D&C 88:118)
And He assures us that knowledge acquired here will be ours forever. (see D&C 130:18–19)

The Importance of Education

SKILLS MOST DESIRED BY EMPLOYERS

PERSONAL VALUES EMPLOYERS SEEK IN EMPLOYEES

TEN SKILLS EVERY CHILD SHOULD LEARN