Employment Smarts
Welcome to Employment Smarts, an integral part of the Scholar Smarts initiative. We are committed to providing comprehensive resources and support to help individuals navigate the ever-changing job market.
We understand that many families face employment challenges, including difficulties with online applications, crafting strong resumes and cover letters, and overcoming systemic barriers. Our employment services are designed to address these obstacles and support you in finding your desired career path.
Scholar Smarts prioritizes workforce development utilizing Real World Learning (RWL) for those to gain Market Value Asset (MVA).
Discover how our Employment Smarts program can help you today!
Jobs in High Demand in the Kansas City Metro Region
- Healthcare professionals (nurses, medical assistants, healthcare administrators)
- Information technology specialists (software developers, data analysts, cybersecurity experts)
- Skilled tradespeople (electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians)
- Customer service representatives
- Manufacturing and production workers
- Transportation and logistics professionals
- Sales and marketing specialists
- Financial analysts and accountants
- Construction workers
- Restaurant and hospitality staff
Tips for Youth Applying for Jobs
- Create a professional resume that highlights your skills, education, and any relevant experience.
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to each job application.
- Dress appropriately for interviews and make a good first impression.
- Prepare for interviews by researching the company and practicing common interview questions.
- Showcase your soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities.
- Network with family, friends, and mentors who may have connections to job opportunities.
- Consider gaining experience through internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer work.
- Follow up with thank-you notes or emails after interviews.
- Be proactive and persistent in your job search, and don't be discouraged by rejection.
Theme 1: The training ecosystem will evolve with a mix of innovation in all education formats
- More learning systems will migrate online. Some will be self-directed and some offered or required by employers; others will be hybrid online/real-world classes. Workers will be expected to learn continuously
- Online courses will get a big boost from advances in augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI)
- Universities still have special roles to play in preparing people for life, but some are likely to diversify and differentiate
Theme 2: Learners must cultivate 21st-century skills, capabilities, and attributes
- Tough-to-teach intangible skills, capabilities and attributes such as emotional intelligence, curiosity, creativity, adaptability, resilience and critical thinking will be most highly valued
- Practical experiential learning via apprenticeships and mentoring will advance
Theme 3: New credentialing systems will arise as self-directed learning expands
- While the traditional college degree will still hold sway in 2026, more employers may accept alternate credentialing systems, as learning options and their measures evolve
- The proof of competency may be in the real-world work portfolios
Theme 4: Training and learning systems will not meet 21st‑century needs by 2026
- Within the next decade, education systems will not be up to the task of adapting to train or retrain people for the skills likely to be most prized in the future
- Show me the money: Many doubts hinge upon lack of political will and necessary funding
- Some people are incapable of or uninterested in self-directed learning
Theme 5: Jobs? What jobs? Technological forces will fundamentally change work & economic landscape
- There will be millions more people and millions fewer jobs in the future
- Capitalism itself is in real trouble
Anderson, J., Raine, L., (2017, May 3). The Future of Jobs and Jobs Training. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2017/05/03/the-future-of-jobs-and-jobs-training/