Past educational paradigm: Education is a mandated activity that is done to America's children,

seemingly disconnected to anything practical in the child's life.

Present educational paradigm: Children are the future America. Education is a tool that is used

by the child to achieve his/her highest potential and dreams.

Past career paradigm

Present career paradigm

Education ends with a diploma

Education is passive; something done to a person

Paying the bills

Progression within a company

Continuity found in a company

Begins with first job

Education is a life-long process of upgrading skills and qualifications

Education is driven by self-direction and self-determination

Pursuing interests and dreams

Portable/transferable skills applicable to many settings

Continuity found in ones own competencies

A career encompasses all of life’s educational, training, and work experiences.

Below is a big picture view of our economy in American over the past century and a half.

This is one of the reasons why our paradigm of career has shifted so drastically.

The Changing Nature of Work

Key

Resource

Structure

Valued

Traits

(1845-1900)

Plow

Land

Family/

Community

Self-reliance

Industrial Age

(1900-1980)

Machine

Factories

Factory/

Bureaucracy

Digital Age

(1980-Present)

Microchip

Innovation

Networks/ Teams

Competence/ Adaptability