Some disturbing information came out recently from the American Institute for Research. Apparently, more than half of the students that were nearing graduation at a four-year college were found lacking in basic literacy skills to handle “complex tasks.” Some examples of “complex tasks” were things like analyzing arguments in newspaper editorials or understanding credit card offers.
In a study by the Pew Charitable Trust, 50% of college grads were found lacking in simple life skills. Simple life skills were defined as having the math skills to balance your checkbook, figuring out restaurant tips and understanding news stories.
All of these findings bode badly for the continuing threat of India and China as the world’s superpowers.
It also isn’t good for young upcoming entrepreneurs in general; if you can’t balance a check book, how will you figure out your basic profit & loss every month, let alone figure out if you’re making money on a single product?
Oh wow, that’s sad. As a college student, I’m thankful for my education, and disappointed in this statistic, even though I absolutely see it as fact just walking around campus and seeing some of the people who are “attending higher level learning.” I hope things start to turn around!
I (thankfully) can balance my checkbook! However, it’s a disappointing fact that I’m not yet making money in my business because I’m still covering all of my startup costs, however, hopefully soon profits will start adding up! At least for now I can keep track of exactly how much money I’m spending and not just spending it blindly!
I agree – I hope that trend turns around. And, I’m delighted that you can balance your checkbook – that’s a good sign!
Profits take a while. Those start up costs end up really eating into potential profit so be prudent with your growth, keep a budget, and make those sales calls/efforts daily. You’ll get there =)