Even in tough economic times, education remains the best way for students to ensure a prosperous future and steer away from lower-skilled, lower-wage jobs, said the Director of IBM Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs in a recent Huffington Post editorial.

At a minimum, Diane Melley of IBM said that students should strive to develop basic and vital skills that will be of value in all industries: creative thinking, the ability to think analytically, entrepreneurial and leadership. For those with advanced skills, a range of new opportunities are opening.  Individuals who have the skills to work with “intelligent technologies” such as those used to efficiently manage water and power resources; or can create modern systems to conserve resources for a sustainable future, are ripe for employment opportunities today and in the future.

Overall, helping students stay in school, attain college education and develop employment skills they will help to assure a successful future for them and their community, she said.

“Preparing our young people for the jobs of the future is the first and most important step in our economic development.”

Tags: business and industry, college and career readiness, Job training

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