By: Lizzie Jackson
As the pandemic continues, workers have found themselves on the good side of ‘Supply and Demand.’
The streets of Champaign are lined with ‘Help Wanted’ signs. As the world continues to march through the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses are reopening, and people are going back to work to keep themselves afloat. But where are all the workers that these businesses are looking for?
The Prospectus is not alone in asking this question. National Public Radio (NPR) weighed in on what experts are calling “The Great Resignation” months ago.
But for a more local take we at the Prospectus reached out to Brennon Hightower, career counselor at Parkland College, for her thoughts.
“I believe that extended government benefits and situations surrounding COVID-19 (such as infections, fears, quarantines, vaccines, and other health concerns) have contributed to the workers shortage in the area,” said Hightower.
NPR expands that where much of the workers shortage has been focused, the restaurant and hospitality industry, workers are leaving due to unsafe working conditions, including inadequate ventilations. This, combined with short staffing and the constant onslaught of customers unwilling to follow masking guidelines, has led many to decide that a small paycheck is just not worth the risk.
This issue is not limited to restaurant workers of course. It expands to all industries. Tsedal Neeley, a professor at Harvard Business School, weighs in saying, “We have changed. Work has changed. The way we think about time and space has changed.” They continue by saying that workers now crave the flexibility given to them in the pandemic — which had previously been unattainable.
Hightower has some advice for those who have recently come to the decision to change career paths:
“This is an opportune time to seek a new position if you are a job seeker because so many companies are hiring. Not only are they hiring, but they are hiring at highly competitive wages, some even offering generous sign-on bonuses.
“In addition to this, for those who want to switch industries, they are likely to have better chances (now than later) at finding a position that’s in alignment with their new professional career goals by using their transferable skills, related experience, and upskilling themselves in a short amount of time.”
This is a time that is in opposition to what many of this generation have grown up with. Instead of having no job opportunities, there is an abundance of job opportunities. When the demand for workers is high, workers need to know not to discount themselves. After all, this won’t last forever.
Some final words of advice from Hightower: “For those who plan to enter the workforce within the next year, I would strongly recommend being intentional about their job search preparation and strategies.
“Take time now to research companies and positions of interest, create or update your resumes and cover letters, and begin connecting or reconnecting with people you would like to use as references.
“In addition, I would recommend interview practice, networking with people in the industry that you plan to work in and upskilling yourself for your future position. Career Services at Parkland College offers one-on-one career planning sessions that can be scheduled using Microsoft Bookings from parkland.edu/careerservices.”
So, this is an advantage. If you’re looking for a job, make sure you take it.
