I bet if you think back to your early school days, you don’t remember many specifics about the lessons you learned. You remember the games you played and the creative projects you were proud of. Recently, however, there has been a trend in education to cut back on playtime in preschool, kindergarten, and first grade. This time is being replaced by more formal lessons because the education system is now pushing for teachers to get cracking right away. There’s concern that if reading and math aren’t taught as soon as possible, students will forever fall behind.

While this may seem logical, the importance of play should not be underestimated. The format of lessons, as I discussed in my first blog post, is critical. If children can learn without even realizing it, they will not only absorb important information faster, they will have a more positive experience doing it. Their relationship with education will begin on a good note, rather than experiencing the stress that is associated with earlier formal schooling.

This trend is in alignment with other recent education movements that push teaching to standardized tests over creativity in the classroom. The frustration that teachers are feeling as a consequence of this came up in both interviews with educators that I had the honor of conducting for this blog. But the government and administrations are focusing in on scores and benchmarks over individual experiences with education. There are obviously reasons behind this approach, including America’s performance in comparison to other countries and the need to stay competitive in a globalized world.

However, the statistics aren’t showing that taking out play time is accomplishing these goals. As I see it, this will only hurt students in the long run. A child will be spending many years in school; their first impression of it should be a good one, rather than a stressful one. The presentation of material should make students want to learn, at any level. Thus, I believe that these stricter education trends should be reevaluated.  

-Samantha Phillips

Do you believe ‘the earlier, the better’ for formal education or that play time has long-term benefits in a child’s education?

Source: 
New York Times: Let the Kids Learn Through Play

Below is a list of the ten happiest jobs as well as the ten most hated jobs.

Ten Happiest Jobs (as reported in a General Social Survey by the National Organization for Research at the University of Chicago)

1. Clergy

2. Firefighters

3. Physical therapists

4. Authors

5.  Special education teachers

6. Teachers

7. Artists

8. Psychologists

9. Financial services sales agents

10. Operating engineers

Ten Most Hated Jobs (as reported in a CNBC article where Daniel Bukszpan draws on a survey of hundreds of thousands of employees conducted in 2011 by CareerBliss)

1. Director of Information Technology

2. Director of Sales and Marketing

3. Product Manager

4. Senior Web Developer

5. Technical Specialist

6. Electronics Technician

7. Law Clerk

8. Technical Support Analyst

9. CNC Machinist

10. Marketing Manager

It’s notable that money doesn’t equate to happiness, according to these lists. Studies have found that money is only important to the point that you can meet all your basic needs. Therefore, money can buy security but not much more. In fact, extra money does not make you happier. To be happy at work, you should actually look for a job that will make you feel that you are making a difference and is a ‘flow activity.’ This means that you become so absorbed in what you are doing at work that time seems to pass more quickly. The below graphic describes the two categories and shows that they matter because they’re connected to your long-term satisfaction, rather than short-term fulfillment. 

As for which countries are happiest, the Happy Planet Index explores several categories, including ‘experienced well-being.’ This attempts to measure the number of happy lives per unit of environmental output in 151 countries around the world.  The top three countries are Denmark, Canada, and Norway. America ranks 16th on the list. It seems that the opportunity for finding happiness at work exists, and is relatively common in our country. Just remember to pursue your passions once you've covered the basics.

-Samantha Phillips


What do you think about the presented research? Do you agree or disagree? 

If you’re looking to make some extra cash over the summer and boost your resume at the same time, now would be a good time to start your summer job search.

While it would be beneficial to look for a position that would be relevant to the field you might be interested in pursuing, this isn’t a necessity. Exploring a new field and finding out that you aren’t in fact a fan can be just as useful in your future job search as finding something by which you are intrigued. A realization that you don't want to further pursue a type of work means narrowing your search and learning more about yourself.  

Whatever opportunity you end up landing, you can pick up skills from it. Say you wind up as a receptionist at a local office. You’ll be walking away from that summer position with better communication and people skills while also becoming familiar with operating in an office setting. Maybe you want to be a camp counselor instead. Well, you’ll be sure to gain experience in a leadership position and develop problem-solving skills as well. All of these abilities make you look more employable to a company the next time you’re on the job hunt.  

Now that you know that you can learn something useful almost anywhere you’re hired, I’m sure your next question is how to go about getting a job. The job search can definitely be a stressful process, but it is doable! See if your parents or teachers have any connections in the community that could lead to you getting an interview. Networking will get you far, and it isn’t cheating -- it’s using your resources wisely. However, if that doesn’t pan out, don't fret. Check out these useful websites to kick off your search:

Coolworks.com
Snagajob
Summerjobs.com
Camp Channel

Apply to a healthy amount of positions (dedicating time and effort to each and every application), prep for your interview by researching the position and company thoroughly, and act professionally. Come fall, you’ll be far ahead of the game since you’ll have used your summer wisely by getting work experience. Good luck with your search, and get ready for a great summer! 

-Samantha Phillips

Mr. Rodney Thomas, who works in the law enforcement field, is a 4T's alum. As a youth, he greatly contributed to establishing the foundation of the organization as well as its growth. Mr. Thomas believes that 4T's helped him get on the track to entrepreneurship and continues to recognize the importance of education in his life and in the lives of youth today. Below is an interview with Mr. Thomas about his experiences with entrepreneurship and education.

-Samantha Phillips
 
1.      Can you provide a brief overview of your career – positions, companies, etc.? What motivated you to pursue this career path?

I’ve been in law enforcement since 1993. My first law enforcement job was with the New York City Hospital Police working at Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx. My first arrest was for a guy brandishing a weapon. After that I was hooked. Then in May of 1995 I got a job with the Dept. of Justice Federal Bureau of Prisons as Correctional Officer working out of Metropolitan Correctional Center in Lower Manhattan. There I learned how to talk and deal with violent situations without using a weapon.

Then my career took a sudden turn. In 1996 I received an opportunity to work real investigations cases working for the Dept. of Justice Immigration and Naturalization Service in Miami Florida as a Federal Officer. I conducted High Risk Escorts of Criminal Illegal Aliens overseas and throughout the United States. I also developed policies and procedures to start a Gang Intelligence Unit working in Miami, Florida. Here I learned so much about a variety of cultures. I loved working and having the ability to actually take bad guys off the streets. 

In 2000 I left law enforcement for personal reasons and returned in 2001 back in NYC working with the Federal Reserve Police conducting dignity Protection for government officials as a Federal Police Officer. I worked Federal Reserve Police until 2008.  I guess I just fell into this career. I actually never wanted anything to do with law enforcement. This is the one career that chose me.

2.      Can you provide a brief overview of your education and how it did, or did not, prepare you for your career? 

I am now pursuing my Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic Psychology. Forensic Psychology for me plays a very important role. I have dealt with so many individuals with different mindsets, from a person who has committed a minor offense to your Felony driven individuals. Knowing the criminal element is so important for me.

3.      Could you describe your experience with 4T’s and how it may have benefited you?

I started with 4T’s back in 1990, brainstorming with Mr. Kayode Bentley in his room back in the Bronx. Kayode brought an idea to me about fashion shows and empowering our youth. I didn’t know anything about fashion nor did I did know how to reach the youth. I was still young myself. Kayode gave me a blue print to follow and the rest is history. He gave me an opportunity to change lives in a positive way.

The benefits I received from 4T’s are I learned how to be an Entrepreneur -- being a business owner is what I learned from Kayode Bentley and 4T’s. 4T’s gave me the ability to start my own business using the skills that I acquired from my law enforcement career.

4.      Why should someone consider participating in 4T’s programs or learning more about the organization?

I would suggest to anyone who is serious about learning how to survive in this world by being able to pursue your dreams that 4T’s is an organization you want to be a part of. 4T’s teaches you how to obtain your dreams and how to conduct yourself. Reaching the youths of today is not easy. 4T’s exudes style, class, finesse, and also True to The Trade.

5.      In your own words, why is receiving an education important?

Getting a proper education is so important today.  It’s needed to excel in corporate America. But at the same time Life experience is paramount to education as well.

6.      What advice would you give to yourself in high school?

I would tell myself, ‘Please stay in school. Get that High School Diploma. It is very important to receive.’ Which I did achieve, and I am proud that I did.

Please share your reactions to these experiences of a 4T's alum.