Dear Working,
I thought to address this letter to 'dear workers,' but I wanted to be sure you understood I don't just mean people who receive a pay stub. Here are some of the job titles I have been this week:
photographer
video producer
writer
lecturer
critic
facilitator
launderer
poulterer
housecleaner
cook
therapist
in home caregiver
gardener
secretary
instructor
representative
inventory manager
IT specialist
Those are just the ones I can think of in two minutes. Let me elaborate; I don't mean that I can do those jobs a little bit, or kinda sorta. I mean that I am totally qualified as an expert in ALL of those areas. If a magic fairy dropped me into the rolling desk chair behind any of those jobs, I could do them without batting an eyelash. Let me further elaborate; I know that you, too, are qualified for a career list at least as long as this, and very probably longer. Now, I am glad we settled all that, because I don't want any argument about how over qualified you already are for your life and work.
What I want, now, is to introduce you to two new words (at least, they were new to me, and in true shock of the new fashion, horrifying): Upskilling and Reskilling.
Yes, these are the two ugly elves you heard about- the ones you must recall the names of, if you want to climb up a tower on someone else's hair. They are five in all: Upskilling Reskilling, Deskilling, Mob Killing, and Up Yours. Just like in the stories, you must be on your guard around these tricksters. You may enter into a contract with Reskilling only to find that the money you spent does not qualify you for more pay. All it did was lengthen your list of abilities and line the Skilling Boys' pockets with more silver. There's a moral to it, as TweedleDee tells Alice.
It's a lot to ponder, especially if you are thinking of making a career move, whatever that is anyway. As further beseechment, I offer you this essay, by Anne Helen Peterson.
PS
I am pretty sure I am not supposed to -ment the verb beseech. Direct any usage complaints to the ugliest elf, Up Yours.
