PR ES I DEN T’S COLUM N continued from page 3 parents, teachers and classmates. Interactions with youth, and their networks, will carry on far beyond our beliefs. Don’t let age be a factor, because you never know when it is going to make a difference and possibly influence the next generation to look at the opportunities we have to offer. Next, what schools and other learning institutions are we involved with? Career days may not be what they once were, or produce as large of groups as they once did, but I challenge all of us to think about the networking effect they might have before discounting our efforts. Also, in that same vein, I find it helpful to meet the science teachers to explain just how much science/technology is used in our field. This concept applies across the board. We need students from all ends of the spectrum: managers, sales leaders, designers, etc., all the way through to the laborers. A side note: Recently, I was invited to a local middle school to work with a team of boys developing their Lego Robotic Projects. The team developed a computerized watering system for field and greenhouse production; needless to say I was impressed with what they put together. They began with using a drone to make a diagram of the area and proceeded from there. I literally learned more from their efforts than I gave back to them! And YES, I took full advantage of the opportunity to
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talk with these boys about job opportunities that are available to them as they are thinking of career paths. Finally, outside of schools, there are plenty of youth programs that are looking for leaders to get involved. Advisory board members are needed for many technology based programs; there’s 4-H, FFA, YMCA, Boy/Girl Scouts, Big Brother/Big Sister programs… and the list goes on. These organizations are all looking for guest speakers, group leaders, and/or sponsors. Any time one of these groups calls for a tour, or a speaker, it is an opportunity to educate them about what the green profession has to offer. The current labor situation being what it is, I know most of us are thinking, “But we need people TODAY so that we will be in business 10 years from now.” The way I see it, we can look at it two ways. We can look at it from the perspective of what we don’t have, or we can look at it from the perspective of all the possibilities that lie ahead. Developing youth interest is like planting a tree, slow to grow but mighty in the long run. Plant that seed today so your company can reap the benefits for many years to come! Enjoy your summer! Marie
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