A Personal Turning Point
The year 2020 brought challenges for all of us. Yet it also highlighted the importance of resilience and post-pandemic workplace skills. While it’s easy to focus on difficulties, I’d like to share a bright spot from my own journey.
In June 2020, I lost my job. On paper, it looked perfect, but I wasn’t happy or reaching my full potential. I had often told my kids, “You need to be happy in whatever you choose to do.” The truth was, I wasn’t living by that advice myself.
However, losing my job gave me something unexpected: the freedom to choose a new direction. A few weeks later, I had an “aha” moment and decided to change my career path. As a result, I enrolled in college to pursue work that would make me truly happy.
What the Future Holds for Students in the Post-Pandemic Workplace
Reflecting on my own turning point made me wonder about today’s students. What skills will they need in the workplace after the pandemic? Employers are already shifting their expectations. Beyond grades and test scores, they now look for graduates with strong social and emotional skills. These are the foundation of post-pandemic workplace skills.
For example, when several large companies were asked about qualities they hope to see in future employees, their answers revealed a common theme. They want team players and leaders with resilience, adaptability, empathy, creativity, and a growth mindset. In addition, they value problem-solving, critical thinking, and the ability to collaborate across diverse teams.
In other words, employers want more than technical ability. They are seeking employees who can manage themselves, work well with others, and adapt to change. These qualities are essential for long-term success in college, trade school, careers, and personal relationships.
Preparing Students with Post-Pandemic Workplace Skills Through SEL
The best way to help students build these skills is through Social Emotional Learning (SEL). SEL can be adapted to fit a school’s culture, student population, and teaching staff. At its core, it focuses on five areas:
- Self-awareness
- Self-management
- Social awareness
- Relationship skills
- Decision-making and goal setting
Our SEL curriculum includes 65 short lessons that can be taught across Language Arts, Social Studies, Health, and other subjects. These lessons prepare students not only to succeed but also to thrive in life.
During the pandemic, kids have already shown incredible resilience. They adjusted to remote learning, gave up social lives and activities, and kept moving forward. More importantly, this generation has demonstrated strength, creativity, and adaptability. With SEL in schools, we can help them channel these qualities into becoming problem-solvers, innovators, and leaders.
Therefore, let’s prepare students for a future where they not only succeed but also find happiness in what they choose to do. By making SEL part of the K-12 curriculum, we can give them the post-pandemic workplace skills they need to shine.