Globalization is a pertinent topic in this time of such innovation, and it’s interesting to see different perspectives on its incorporation. On one hand, companies may be abusing their cheap labor and cause a loss of culture within an area, while on the other there are positives in free trade opportunities and a possibility for improved economic conditions. Therefore, businesses who are trying to globalize and reach an international level should be aware of the culture they are immersing themselves into, not only for legal reasons but to protect the livelihood of the people there while trying to improve their lifestyle.
In Ireland especially, where places like the Docklands exist, it is clear how globalization can make an impact, and quickly. Seeing the old homes being taken over by the corporate headquarters of grand tech companies, such as Google and Facebook made me realize the effects on culture and socioeconomics specifically. Although it is becoming a higher-end neighborhood, it is becoming increasingly hard for people to afford living there, forcing them to move from their homes they grew up in and have a history with. Even as a great tourist destination, which has become a main source of income in the country, it is taking away from the history of the place by sharing it in a commercial light. So while there are certainly advantages to keeping industries and tourism active in the area, especially in terms of the economy, I think there can also be points of suffering among a sense of identity and small-town feel that Ireland is known for.
Today we were visited by two speakers that talked about different topics, that actually were connected by a major point: skill development. The first speaker, Derek Reilly, discussed an organization many of us were not previously aware of, but immediately very interested in as business students. Junior Chamber International, which has a fast-growing chapter in Ireland, is based around professional development and community involvement. With classes and events held several times a month, the mission is to create a way for young adults to gain skills and a network that they can utilize as they are building their careers. I found the program to be very useful, especially in a world where education itself has such high standards, in order to differentiate and become a competitive individual in the workforce with these added skills.
Similarly, our afternoon speaker, Ellie Doyle, had even further advice and wisdom on developing our transferable skills and network in preparation for the recruitment process. Just as we learned yesterday, personal branding is so important and you are never too young to build your profile. With great innovation in the workplace, such as the role of automation, there are less manual labor and non-skilled jobs available, therefore requiring more experience to succeed. This also means that it is key to become what she called a “cultural comedian” to pivot around the environment to stay relevant and prepared when shaping your career.
An interesting point she brought up was about who the best problem solvers are. Can you guess? In fact, children and youth are the most skilled in problem-solving, meaning that as we get older, we lose the ability to think outside the box and question things. In today’s society, it is so crucial to try and revert back to your youth mindset to stand out in a job and be innovative, which really resonated with me. The disruptive conflict that one can create can really help inspire change and progress within a business.
After today I felt I had gained even more perspectives of just how essential it is to be different. To carry skills and identify what they are. To be creative and innovative to make change and solve problems. And while this may be so relevant while here in Dublin, it is certainly something that applies all over the world and back to my home state of Pennsylvania. I hope I can carry this global mindset with me and keep gaining these perspectives to incorporate them into my everyday life.
