Do We "Like" to Communicate Honestly?

At CEC Associates, we focus much of our efforts on human ways to make the new technologies work, which often involves examining the ways in which these new technologies don’t work. A recent article in CounselingToday by Jennifer L. Cline explores the ways that Facebook actually disconnects us socially, despite its self-proclaimed mission statement to “give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected.”

In her efforts to understand the “plugged in” generation, Cline met with 55 college students, a demographic which makes up the bulk of Facebook’s users.  Through her conversations, she learned that the students preferred open, face-to-face communication experiences.  However, the students also noted that they felt pressured by the spontaneity associated with embodied conversation and felt socially vulnerable when engaging with someone face-to-face.  Using social media is a convenient way to bypass these everyday challenges while still having their interpersonal needs met.  Cline noted that some of the subjects would use social media to “appear occupied” and unavailable for live conversation.  Additionally, even though the majority of members of the group claimed that they preferred live, open dialogue, many people admitted that they would still use social media to resolve conflict, even if the other person was in the same room as them.

It is no surprise that many of the students interviewed acknowledged that they wished they were more adept at relating to others face to face.  The reluctance to engage in open, authentic communication seems to drive people to rely on using social media instead, which in turn causes them to feel less able to converse using face-to-face conversation.  This cycle impacts our ability to truly understand each other on a daily basis.

How do you use Facebook to communicate?

Do you feel that you use Facebook to communicate effectively or does it provide a roadblock for authentic communication?

How can we communicate better with each other while remaining in touch with social media?

The Value of Distraction

It is well known that the success of any business is contingent upon employee production. The amount of focus and attention employees “put in” to work assignments directly affect the quality of and the efficiency in which work products are “put out” from the business. In light of this, the question every employer might ask is, “How can I maximize production from my employees?”

A recent study led by University of Illinois psychology professor Alejandro Lleras suggests that increasing attention and focus is not merely a matter of simply trying harder or not allowing oneself to become distracted. Instead, his team found that the ability to focus is not a voluntary action but a biological mechanism. Over time, the brain begins to associate the constancy of any single task with that task becoming unimportant and consequently, erases it from awareness. When this happens, it is not that you stop paying attention; it is that you start paying attention to something else, according to Lleras.

So how can you counter a phenomenon that is ingrained in your natural, biological makeup? The answer: Distract yourself. Lleras’ research reveals that "even brief diversions from a task can dramatically improve one's ability to focus on that task for prolonged periods."

What do you do to stay on task?

How do you handle interruptions?

Can you find value in "created distractions?"

Good News for the Humanities

Choosing a college major is an important decision for any student. The selection of a college major dictates not only what a student will study for at least four years, but will also affect future levels of income and potentially future job satisfaction. Students interested in the humanities have long been faced with the decision of choosing between majors that will land them a good job (i.e., finance) or feed their intrinsic passion (English, philosophy, and history are the top three choices). Until recently, the two paths have been considered mutually exclusive. Many humanities graduates can recall being asked the question, “What do you do with a degree in…?”

A recent article in The Huffington Post calls this dichotomy into question. Research from the American Association of Colleges and Universities suggests instead that over the course of a lifetime, graduates with degrees in the humanities earn similar amounts of money compared to students with pre-professional degrees. Furthermore, it has been shown that there is fulfillment in focusing your career on what you are passionate about. Students are more motivated to learn what they enjoy and excel in. If a course of study is not enjoyed, it becomes tedious or frustrating and may lead students to take extra time completing a degree, which is an expensive prospect these days.

Many people point out that graduating humanities students lack skills needed to enter the workforce, but these so-called missing skills are commonly taught on the job. However, the critical thinking skills most humanities majors hone in college are invaluable. Moreover, when you are able to become immersed in what you do every day, it ceases to be just a “job” that you do from 9 to 5 and ventures into the idea of a career and perhaps a calling, allowing for a much greater sense of personal fulfillment and greater job satisfaction over the course of your life.

At CEC Associates, we meet many people who have yet to find their niche in the world of work. Please see our Career Assessment page for assistance on finding your calling.