What I found most interesting in the article by Ronald Alsop are the reasons why most university graduates are unable to secure meaningful employment. Some of these interesting yet compelling reasons include the fact that most employers expect all job applicants to bring a mid-level professional work experience as well as technical skills regardless of the job being only an entry-level job (Alsop). Moreover, the article points out that, the long quest for jobs is not unique in the modern day world and according to most employers, this is mainly because university graduates fail to measure up due to deficiencies in analytical and critical thinking, ability to solve problems, lack of innovative ideas, as well as lack of skills in both oral and written communication (Alsop). In addition, approximately two thirds of the employers tend to reject candidates simply because they are unable to clearly articulate their abilities. As a result, modern-day employers want students from universities to apply for work with skills that people acquired while on the job since the job still exists as the best teacher for both interpersonal and critical thinking skills. Another interesting fact presented by the article is the fact that exists numerous tools for young unemployed individuals where they can receive advice from the human resources managers from various corporations on recruiting issues and important job related skills, such include online tools such as Define Me and Jobipedia.Org (Alsop).
The article “Bhutan’s Dark Secret to Happiness” by Eric Weiner is perhaps the most interesting article I have come across. According to the article, the secret to happiness is thinking about one’s death approximately five minutes every day in accordance to the Bhutan people who argue that thinking of death automatically cures illnesses such as panic attacks, this is because the fear of dying having not accomplished our desires or even seeing one’s children grow is what troubles individuals (Weiner). Therefore, it is important for people to be ready for the moment in which they cease to exist. The author points out that, the Himalayan kingdom is widely known for this highly innovative policy termed as the Gross National Happiness, consequently it’s a land where contentment supposedly reigns above sorrow which is denied entry. However, the Bhutan’s policy of thinking about one’s death about five times, raises concerns whether their land is a place of both despair and darkness, interestingly, this question was answered by 2007 study conducted by the Kentucky University (Weiner). According to the study where several students were divided into two groups one told to contemplate their death and the other about a painful visit to the dentist, then complete stem words including “Jo”, the group that contemplated about their death were more likely to construct highly positive words among them joy. Consequently, this led to the conclusion that, despite death being psychologically threatening, when people contemplate about their death they automatically begin searching for happier thoughts (Weiner). Another interesting fact is that unlike many people living in the west, the Bhutanese people to a great extent do not sequester death as images of death including ritual dances that re-enact death are also a commonplace even for children. The article therefore asserts that, according to the Bhutanese people it is important to not only contemplate about death but also hold the rituals as they act as a containment for grief.
Connection
Overall, the first article, “This is the Reason Why New Graduates Can’t get Hired”, is quite interesting as it sheds lights into the problem of unemployment facing many university students. Today, despite having acquired a degree in one of the major universities in the country, my friend can’t seem to secure employment; three years after leaving the university, despite sending dozens of application forms to various companies with opportunities that match his skills. Concerning this, most of the companies reject his application because he lacks the required work experience and technical skills which highly conflicts with the idea that work experience for new graduates can only be acquired while on the job.
Works Cited
Alsop, Ronald. “This is the Reason Why New Graduates Can’t get Hired”. British Broadcasting Corporation, (2015). http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20151118-this-is-the-real-reason-new-graduates-cant-get-hired
Weiner, E. “Bhutan’s Dark Secret to Happiness”. British Broadcasting Corporation, (2015). http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20150408-bhutans-dark-secret-to-happiness
