What our kids need to succeed in the Global Economy

Here is an article from an executive recruiter about what kinds of skills a business executive needs in the global economy. As we slowly dumb down our schools and universities to meet the demands of students who think school should fit their needs, we have reason to be worried. In particular, look at the need to be multilingual and to be comfortable in Europe, North America, and Asia. Many colleges have done away with a language requirement because students complain--just when the business world is demanding multilingual workers!

Here are some of the skills and abilities this recruiter is looking for:

• Able to work across at least three cultural backgrounds, including Europe, North America, and Asia
• Multilingual
• Able to create a flexible organization comprising individuals who can compete both within their country of origin and globally
• Having a deep understanding of and ties with local legal and regulatory authorities
• Able to work successfully in a flat global management organization
• Able to optimize strategic opportunities by grasping winning methods from one side of the planet and implementing them globally

How about the K12 schools in your region? Are they offering, as part of college prep track, classes that prepare our youth to have these skills and capacities?